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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Grumman S2F/S-2/C-121 Tracker / TF/C-1 Trader / WF/E-1 Tracer
    Latest Model:S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker
    Last Military Serial:152838 USN
    Construction Number:G-121-307C
    Last Civil Registration:N449DF {2}
    Latest Owner or Location:California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, McClellan AFB (formerly), Sacramento, California

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a S2F-3S.

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 152838.

    1962

    Redesignated as S-2E.

    Converted to a S-2G.

    To Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ.

    23 January 1976

    Transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center (MASDC) with inventory number 1S0593.

    21 August 1996

    To US Forestry Service with c/r N523DF {1}.

    August 1998

    Civil registration, N523DF {1}, cancelled.

    By 2000

    Stored contractor yard at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ.

    Contracted to Marsh Aviation Company, Falcon Field, Phoenix, AZ for work on the airframe.
    View the Location Dossier

    Circa 2002

    Converted to a S-2F3AT by Marsh.

    19 June 2002

    To USDA Forest Service Fepp, McClellan, CA with c/r N449DF {2}.

    11 May 2004

    Certificate of airworthiness for NR449DF {2} (S-2F3AT, 152838) issued.

    Based at California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, McClellan AFB (formerly), Sacramento, CA.
    View the Location Dossier

    28 June 2007

    Certificate of airworthiness for NR449DF {2} (S-2F3AT, 152838) issued.

    5 April 2011

    Certificate of airworthiness for NR449DF {2} (S-2F3AT, 152838) issued.

    By 4 September 2011

    Operated as fire service #81 with markings: CDF

    4 September 2011


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed on the ramp at Hollister.

    7 October 2014

    Crashed.
    There was one fatality. The accident occurred at El Portal, CA, United States while maneuvering. The airframe was destroyed. The airline transport pilot was conducting a visual flight rules, public firefighting retardant drop flight on an active fire...
    For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.


    Credits
    Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...

    Print Sources
    Warbirds Directory, 5th Edition by Geoff Goodall

    Internet Sources
    Aerial Visuals - The Locator by Mike Henniger, Senior Editor
    Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    National Transportation Safety Board
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher

    Individual Contributors
    Mike Henniger

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    Direct Link: https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=3851

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