A jack of many trades, the four-place Grumman Tracker was primarily used as a carrier-based anti-submarine airplane. With over 1000 produced, the airplane was a big success for Grumman, and for the Navy. The Tracker was also used as a trainer, torpedo bomber, target towplane, utility transport (the “Trader”), reconnaissance mount, night bomber, airborne early warning station (the “Tracer”), and was even capable of launching rockets and dropping nuclear depth bombs. It was often a welcome sight for sailors, as the Trader version was frequently used to carry the mail out to the ship during long and lonely cruises. After the Trackers were released from military service, many were sold to fire bomber outfits, and they are still a frequent sight in the Western States and Canada plying their new trade.
GRUMMAN TRACKER
