The story of the Grumman Tracker in RAN service

[bob10]

A fascinating story, RAN pilots trained by civilian [ ex service, in the main] instructors because the RAAF was over stretched.

Heritage: Grumman Tracker | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-grumman-tracker/)

[bob10]

Fairey Gannet, ASW warrior.

Heritage: Fairey Gannet | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-fairy-gannet/)

[bob10]

The fairy fire fly in RAN service.

Heritage - The Fairey Firefly | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-fairey-firefly/)

[bob10]

The Sea Venom


Our Heritage: The Sea Venom FAW Mk 53 | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/5361-2/)

[bob10]

The Sky Hawk.

Our Heritage: The McDonnell Douglas A4G | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/the-a4-corner/)

[bob10]

Helicopter flight Vietnam.

Our Heritage: The RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-ran-helicopter-flight-vietnam/)

[bob10]

The 2 RAR machine gunners, flying with the EMU's, the first and only time all three of Australia's armed forces, flew with an American helicopter company, in combat.


The 135AHC Emus | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/the-machine-gunners-of-b-company-2-rar-and-the-135ahc-emus/)

[bob10]

RANHV Stories.RANHFV - Stories | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/ranhfv-stories/)

[rocket scientist]

A fascinating story, RAN pilots trained by civilian [ ex service, in the main] instructors because the RAAF was over stretched.

Heritage: Grumman Tracker | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-grumman-tracker/)

Thanks Bob, lots of memories there having been an armourer on trackers, among other aircraft. Apparently the ones that have sat in a hanger in Sale fore years have been sold? Cheers, Pete.

[bob10]

Thanks Bob, lots of memories there having been an armourer on trackers, among other aircraft. Apparently the ones that have sat in a hanger in Sale fore years have been sold? Cheers, Pete.

Not sure, but I know two minesweepers along side G.I. are up for auction. Did you know a pilot by the name of Criddle , Gary. He was the Skipper of my patrol boat, back in the 80's. Bit of a character. He was with the trackers in Broome, and when they left Broome, he says the trackers did a touch and go on one of the main roads into Broome.

[4bee]

A fascinating story, RAN pilots trained by civilian [ ex service, in the main] instructors because the RAAF was over stretched.

Heritage: Grumman Tracker | Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia (https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-grumman-tracker/)


Thank you for this link Bob, it has reminded me I was given a nice hard covered book for my 50th Birthday by a an ex Tracker aircrew member turned Author (name escapes me for now) & was a 'fictitious' story of a Tracker hunt chasing an "apparently foreign submarine" somewhere off the coast of Australia.

On reflection I have wondered whether in fact it had been a real search but was made 'diplomatically clean' & was published as such.

[Makes note to self to dig it out for another long overdue perusal] [smilebigeye]

The sound of the two engines was music to my ears as are the 4x Lancaster Merlins & I can't recall now where I had heard them. Maybe at an Airshow here yonks ago?[bigsad]

[bob10]

Thank you for this link Bob, it has reminded me I was given a nice hard covered book for my 50th Birthday by a an ex Tracker aircrew member turned Author (name escapes me for now) & was a 'fictitious' story of a Tracker hunt chasing an "apparently foreign submarine" somewhere off the coast of Australia.

On reflection I have wondered whether in fact it had been a real search but was made 'diplomatically clean' & was published as such.

[Makes note to self to dig it out for another long overdue perusal] [smilebigeye]

The sound of the two engines was music to my ears as are the 4x Lancaster Merlins & I can't recall now where I had heard them. Maybe at an Airshow here yonks ago?[bigsad]

During the 'cold war' our ships, and submarines, tracked foreign submarines often. And foreign surface contacts. Part of the effort was to listen to and record transmissions from radio, and radar, to have a record of such things if needed if the war turned hot. " They" did the same to us, during exercises in the far east, or , for example, when Perth did an Indian Ocean trip, to Africa , Ethiopia, and Iran, back in '73, we had various Russian fishing boats, fitted with more aerials than we did, turn up , or be on the horizon, all thru the trip. All part of the ' cold war'.

[bob10]

The history of 805 squadron.

805 Squadron History | Royal Australian Navy (http://www.navy.gov.au/history/squadron-histories/805-squadron-history)

[4bee]

Thanks Bob for most interesting articles.

Discussing your article with 'er indoors (the Sea Ranger Group she belonged to back then had a connection with HMAS Sydney & so were able visit her in some style when she made a visit & berthed at Outer Harbor here. Still trying to ID which year that was. Circa '55 or '56) & so it must have been that year when I first saw & heard the Trackers.

EDITED Seems they were introduced later on & not for HMAS Sydney but HMAS Melbourne. Time does play some wild tricks with memory doesn't it, so part of my post would be for both ships. .[bighmmm]

I recall flyovers of the City by Trackers, Sea Furies & Gannets which I think were flown off in St Vincents Gulf & flown to either RAAF Edinburgh or Parafield Aerodrome before she berthed. That is unclear in my mind.

There was also her Rotary Wing a/c that carried lightweight pilot cables across a couple of valleys on the face of the Mount Lofty Ranges so the Electricity Trust of SA could winch heavier power conductors across later. It made all the papers at the time & may have been part of an RAN Publicity stunt at the time as well as helping ETSA. Or viceversa.

I am still reminded of this exercise when I see the transmission cables each time I use Greenhill Road above Waterfall Gully.

Still confused about the years she had visited here as I have seen another photo of Sydney disembarking South Australian (?) Ratings at the Semaphore Anchorage onto a very crowded Pilot Boat (Sir Wallace Bruce) before she went about & departed for Perth (she may have still been slowly under way at that time or so the caption read)
Was it Post Korean War on her voyage home? I don't know. I also don't know if this all fits together, it is just my memories of her & her Aircraft Complement at those times.

Seems to me it would have been less expensive to issue Rail Warrants to said Ratings.[smilebigeye]

[bob10]

Thanks Bob for most interesting articles.

Discussing your article with 'er indoors (the Sea Ranger Group she belonged to back then had a connection with HMAS Sydney & so were able visit her in some style when she made a visit & berthed at Outer Harbor here. Still trying to ID which year that was. Circa '55 or '56) & so it must have been that year when I first saw & heard the Trackers.

EDITED Seems they were introduced later on & not for HMAS Sydney but HMAS Melbourne. Time does play some wild tricks with memory doesn't it, so part of my post would be for both ships. .[bighmmm]

I recall flyovers of the City by Trackers, Sea Furies & Gannets which I think were flown off in St Vincents Gulf & flown to either RAAF Edinburgh or Parafield Aerodrome before she berthed. That is unclear in my mind.

There was also her Rotary Wing a/c that carried lightweight pilot cables across a couple of valleys on the face of the Mount Lofty Ranges so the Electricity Trust of SA could winch heavier power conductors across later. It made all the papers at the time & may have been part of an RAN Publicity stunt at the time as well as helping ETSA. Or viceversa.

I am still reminded of this exercise when I see the transmission cables each time I use Greenhill Road above Waterfall Gully.

Still confused about the years she had visited here as I have seen another photo of Sydney disembarking South Australian (?) Ratings at the Semaphore Anchorage onto a very crowded Pilot Boat (Sir Wallace Bruce) before she went about & departed for Perth (she may have still been slowly under way at that time or so the caption read)
Was it Post Korean War on her voyage home? I don't know. I also don't know if this all fits together, it is just my memories of her & her Aircraft Complement at those times.

Seems to me it would have been less expensive to issue Rail Warrants to said Ratings.[smilebigeye]

Ahh, yes, the rail Warrants. I remember well the train trips from Sydney to Brisbane. The lucky ones got to sleep in the luggage racks, alcohol was in abundant supply, the locomotive [ steam] used to sound his whistle halfway thru one of the tunnels at the border, supposedly as the train crossed into Qld. The roar from the passengers was tremendous, all pleased to be home. Anyway, this may jog your memory.

HMAS Sydney (III) | Royal Australian Navy (http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-sydney-iii)


HMAS Melbourne (II) | Royal Australian Navy (http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-melbourne-ii)

[4bee]

Again, thanks for that Bob. Have had a cursory look but hell, there is a lot to get through & absorb.[smilebigeye]

There are some great images & Video to get through too.

A good read for tomorrow when rain is forecast for here.


An old workmate from years ago was a Stoker on Melbourne (as well as being a bit of a sex maniac [bighmmm]) & he showed me an image of her in Milford Sound but taken from height. Quite a good image. Says a lot about the size of Milford Sound against the comparative size of Melb.

[bob10]

RAN trackers and Skyhawks touch and go on HMS Hermes

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7_ia0DwEns)

[4bee]

But but but, where is the sound of those lovely Radial Engines doing their stuff?[smilebigeye] Bloody Brits!

Thanks Bob.


I saw an image of Hermes going at what appeared to be flat chat, & the Bow Wave was something like you'd never believe.

[bob10]

But but but, where is the sound of those lovely Radial Engines doing their stuff?[smilebigeye] Bloody Brits!

Thanks Bob.


I saw an image of Hermes going at what appeared to be flat chat, & the Bow Wave was something like you'd never believe.

I recently watched a video of the Korean War. BBC , focussing on the RN. The RAN wasn't there, apparently.

[4bee]

I recently watched a video of the Korean War. BBC , focussing on the RN. The RAN wasn't there, apparently.

Hi Bob,


I realise you are taking the **ss[bighmmm] but yes one of the RN battle groups paid a visit through Port Adelaide way back. Circa late '40s

Aircraft Carrier HMS Glory.

T Class Submarine HMS Truculent (sunk 1950) after a collision with a foreign ship in the Thames Estuary after sea trials, post refit. Lots killed by immersion & being swept away by the current out to sea.)

HMS Manxman. Abdiel Class Minelayer


A small Battle Group to be sure & they were on their way back to the UK. I can still smell the pong of Fuel/Diesel Oil in the Sub.


Just sayin' [biggrin]

[bob10]

Hi Bob,


I realise you are taking the **ss[bighmmm] but yes one of the RN battle groups paid a visit through Port Adelaide way back. Circa late '40s

Aircraft Carrier HMS Glory.

T Class Submarine HMS Truculent (sunk 1950) after a collision with a foreign ship in the Thames Estuary after sea trials, post refit. Lots killed by immersion & being swept away by the current out to sea.)

HMS Manxman. Abdiel Class Minelayer


A small Battle Group to be sure & they were on their way back to the UK. I can still smell the pong of Fuel/Diesel Oil in the Sub.


Just sayin' [biggrin]

Probably not the right place, but I was more cheesed off with the fact that according to the BBC it was Britain and the USA that fought the Korean War. Anyway, the Truculant. And it wasn't just diesel you smelled. The T class Boats were in Sydney, before we bought the O boats. I remember , when we Apprentices were posted to Penguin, for Fleet maintenance, one T boat crew came in on a Friday, they came up to the mess deck, one went to go for a shower, his mates said " you are not coming ashore with us if you have a shower ". Sorry about this, flight mods.



On 12 January 1950, Truculent was returning to Sheerness (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheerness), having completed trials after a refit at Chatham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham,_Medway). In addition to her normal complement, she was carrying an additional 18 dockyard workers. She was travelling through the Thames Estuary at night. At 19:00, a ship showing three lights appeared ahead in the channel. It was decided that the ship must be stationary, and because Truculent could not pass to the starboard side without running aground, the order was given to turn to port. At once, the situation became clear; the Swedish (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden) oil tanker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_tanker) Divina — on passage from Purfleet and bound for Ipswich — came out of the darkness. The extra light indicated that she was carrying explosive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive) material. The two vessels collided, the Divina's bow striking Trucluent by the starboard bow hydroplane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_plane), and remained locked together for a few seconds before the submarine sank.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Truculent_(P315)#cite_note-2)Fifty-seven of her crew were swept away in the current after a premature escape attempt, 15 survivors were picked up by a boat from the Divina and five by the Dutch ship Almdijk. Most of the crew survived the initial collision and managed to escape, but then perished in the freezing cold mid-winter conditions on the mud islands that litter the Thames Estuary. Sixty-four men died as a result of the collision. Truculent was salvaged on 14 March 1950 and beached at Cheney Spit. The wreck was moved inshore the following day where 10 bodies were recovered. She was refloated on 23 March and towed into Sheerness Dockyard. An inquiry attributed 75% of the blame to Truculent and 25% to Divina.Truculent was then sold to be broken up for scrap on 8 May 1950.Her loss led Peter de Neumann (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_de_Neumann) of the Port of London Authority (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_London_Authority) to develop plans for a port control system, and the later introduction of the 'Truculent light', an extra steaming all round white light on the bow, on British submarines, to ensure they remained highly visible to other ships

[4bee]

My bad, possibly. [bighmmm]

On reflection, it may not have been a "Battle Group" as such, as the Korean show had concluded by then, but an assembly of Misc. RN vessels that were surplus to requirements there, & were sent back to the UK in company. If they had traveled singly maybe the RN would have lost them? [biggrin]

Truculent certainly had a tragic loss of life in this case.

[bob10]

All good. Yes, tragic accident, in one of the most congested waterways in the World.

[4bee]

All good. Yes, tragic accident, in one of the most congested waterways in the World.



Peter de Neumann (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_de_Neumann) was a wonderful bloke. I hadn't heard of him previously. [Dips Lid] :thumbsup: