Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

I have been working on plans to build a Grumman S2F-3 Tracker for some time. I have had an interest in this plane since I was a boy. My father worked on the Trackers until he retired from the Navy. A friend in my club had been collecting information on a possible Tracker build and he was very kind to share the research he had done with me. This gave me a good start for my plans.

My plans started with a three view drawing from Squadron Signal Publications Aircraft #100 S2F Tracker In Action. I scanned the three view and took it into AutoCAD. I traced the three view drawing to be certain of the scale outline. Initially I drew the S2F-1, but after more consideration I redrew the outline of the S2F-3. I figure that if Grumman decided to make upgrades to their design I should go with their improvements. AutoCAD tells me that I have spent 495 hours on the S2F-3 drawing since February 2009. Once the outline was traced, I scaled the plan to allow for a 48" center section so that the model will fit into my minivan for transport. This put the wing span at 127". I expect the build to take 18 to 24 months.

The planned specifications are:
Wing Span 127 9/16"
Fuse length 76 3/8"
Elevator span 47 1/16"
Height to tail 28 1/2"
Weight should be 42 to 50 pounds
Wing area 1377 sq. inches

I will post more in the next few days. I hope others will join in and offer comments and suggestions as the build progresses.

jlovitt

My Feedback: (41)

Will be following this one! I've been a huge tracker fan since seeing them in the summer months being used as fire bombers in California. I would like to do one someday myself.

What do you imagine for power? What about type of construction? Landing gear?

Keep us posted

Jeff Lovitt

Wagon1

Very cool project. My dad's best friend flew them. We just lost him a few years ago.

Subscribed!!

grbaker

My Feedback: (29)

Check out this thread:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_96...tm.htm#9605232

Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

Jeff
I plan to use two Zenoah G-38s. I just completed my second Ziroli C-45J which uses G-38s for power and I think it will be sufficient for this plane if I make my target weight. If the project gets to heavy I may switch to 50 cc engines. Construction will be all wood and plywood. I have custom made gears from Sierra Giant Scale. I drew in the gears on my plans and sent them to Sierra. He did his usual magic and produced a beautiful set of gears and wheels. It took a while but was worth the wait.

Gary, I have seen the Tracker build here on RCU. It is a little smaller than I want to build. I never saw a flight report or video of it in flight. Do you know of any?

Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

I decided to begin the build with the stabilizer and the elevators. They are a lot of work and are easy to store until I need to install them into the fuselage. The photos are self explanatory.
I plotted the wing and elevator airfoils using an Excel spread sheet that a good friend that is an aeronautical engineer made for me. It allows me to enter the root and tip airfoils and it will calculate top and bottom rib profiles at each station. It is a tedious process but gives accurate results.

Charlie

Kinner

I'm In. 

Ray W

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Subscribed! Based on the other work you've posted here at RCU the finished Tracker is sure to be a head turner. Looking forward to watching your progress.

Kinner

Charlie,

Ever work out that geometry solution for the double rudder?

Ray W.

lkahn4

Charlie,
Depending on my talking the wife into getting Chics unbuilt c-119 and finally convincing her that the avenger is coming with us to AZ
I would be really interested in the tracker.....time will tell.

Lots of luck with the build

Larry

Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

Glad to have all of you on board.

Ray, I am planning to use one of the thin wing aileron servos mounted in the front half of the rudder to actuate the rear portion of rudder and actuate the front portion with a standard rudder hook up. More on that when I get there and figure it out.

I am continuing to work on the stab and elevator assembly. So far everything is working to the plans.

LENZMIKE

My Feedback: (8)

Charlie.

Another good choice - I will be watching as well - while I cut the kit your Avenger.

Michael

redtail

My Feedback: (15)

Charlie, of course I'm in. The Tracker and the E2C Hawkeye are two of my favorites. The Navy Base gave me a Lt to shadow me for 1 full hour on the interior and exterior of an E2C. Shame I am such a slow builder but I can certainly say, your plans are well drawn and thought out. Should be a great build. Faithfully following this build. Larry, the C119 awaits you. Smile. Chic

lkahn4

Chic,
Just so you know I happen to have a set of plans for an E2c that I would be happy to copy and send to you if you wish. I think it's scaled for twin 25's thoughCharlie and I had some emails about enlarging it for 2 45's or 50's

Let me know.

Charlie, after the Avenger build I have no doubt that the S2 will be a huge hit

Larry

redtail

My Feedback: (15)

Larry, just let me know your costs (enlarging/shipping). Of course I would love to have a set of plans for the E2C, enlarged or as is. Will also order a set of Charlies' Tracker plans also. Charlie, are you going to cut Tracker kits or just provide plans and parts? Smile. Chic

trisdisp57

Building a tracker is a dream for me cant wait to see it subscribed

Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

I am making good progress on the stabilizer build. Things are still working out well and I am thinking ahead to the fuselage build. Yesterday I spent several hours working on the drawings of the fuselage formers for the Trader. I am still sitting on the fence on building a C-1A Trader or a S2F-3 Tracker. Today I am leaning toward the Tracker. I would plan to make the MAD boom and radar dome extend in flight which would be a challenge. The MAD boom extends almost 29" at this scale. The Trader would be much easier with no additional mechanisms to figure out. With the spoiler / aileron system and the dual rudder system to work on it is tempting to go with the Trader.
Charlie

redtail

My Feedback: (15)

Charlie, please go with the Tracker. Smile. Let me know when the plans and parts can be purchased. Chic

lkahn4

Chic,
Don't you already have like 3 in the wings including the plans for the Hawkeye...

Charlie, I love the idea of the Tracker, not a big fan of the trader so depending on the price of the plans sign me up for a set


larry

maser

Charlie,

I'll be watching as you build this. I will want a set of the plans and gear, when your ready. I'm still finishing up some other models so would want to do that first before I get started on the Tracker.

Boyd.

DaveZ

My Feedback: (20)

Hi Charlie,
Are you still selling your TBM Avenger Kit? Do you have a website?

Thanks, Dave

Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

Dave
I let the web address expire a few months ago after five years. I am still offering the Avenger and the Skyraider plans and parts. Email me at [email protected] and I will send you all of the info on the plane.

I have decided to go ahead with the Tracker as I originally intended. I have drawn the Trader ribs and I will create a plot file with the Trader fuselage views and templates. I want to get the Tracker fuselage built to verify the plans and get any corrections done first.

I am nearing completion of the stabilizer and elevators. I expect to be starting the fuselage on Monday.
I need to go and pack the van for Warbirds Over Delaware now. I will be flying my Skyraider if the weather cooperates. Maybe I will see some of you there.

Charlie

grbaker

My Feedback: (29)

Charlie,
I have not seen or heard any flight report on Don's Tracker.

Firebar

My Feedback: (3)

We had a good weekend at Warbirds Over Delaware. I got one flight on my Skyraider Friday before it rained and Saturday turned out hot but clear allowing for a lot of flying all day.

I got my Ziroli Beechcraft out for photos Thursday evening so I am now ready to run up the engines in preparation for the first flight. Only problem is the 100 degree heat this week.

I finished glassing the Tracker elevators and am beginning to cut out the fuse formers.

Charlie

lkahn4

Charlie,
How many hours in a day does your clock have... I barely have time to go to work and get home.
ARe you cutting out the formers on a band saw or a jig saw?
Got the flap repaired tonight and will be ready for flight when John gets back from vacation in 10 days

Great work as always

Larry