Sheet #

Superscale 72-442 for S2F-1, US-2B Tracker

Price:

$6

Units:

Various

Review By:

Scott Van Aken

Notes:

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If you had been involved in Naval Aviation in any way from the mid 1950s until the mid 1980s, you would have seen, worked on, or flown in a 'Stoof'. The S2F was the premier carrier-borne ASW aircraft until the S-3 came on line in the early 1970s. Even after that the S-2 soldiered on in reserve units for a few more years. A very versatile airframe, many were built as dedicated Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) aircraft with deeper fuselages to handle passengers and freight. In addition, a large number of earlier S-2s were modified to TS-2 trainers or US-2 utility aircraft. Quite a few of them were exported to other countries, mostly in South America and the Far East. There is even a warbird or two flying around. Your editor spent several very pleasant years with VR/VRC-30 helping to maintain the C-1A version of these aircraft back in the 1970s. 

This particular sheet has three aircraft on it. For kits, you can use either the Hasegawa or the Hobbycraft kit. Both are quite nice and will do well.

The first plane is a sea blue Korean AF S2F-1. The instruction sheet shows two different shades applied to the plane. Not sure if that is a difference between matte and gloss or two different colors. Anyone who knows, I'd be pleased to hear from you.

Next is a Royal Thai Navy S2F. This is in standard Gull Grey over White and appears to be a pretty stock aircraft.

Finally, a US-2B from VC-10 in White over Gull Grey. (as a note, non-combat aircraft and helos were usually painted in this reversed scheme. Not sure why, but that is the way it was). There is some modification needed to this plane in the form of filling in the sonobouy chutes. Not sure if the upper radome was left either. 

As with most decal sheet drawings, they are provided mostly as just a general guide to decal placement. In terms of what the plane really looked like, it is best to have a photo of the plane.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet. 

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