This Tracker never served as an airtanker, and was never officially registered. It is an S2F-1, ex BuA136745, which was delivered to the Japanese Navy on 12 Mar 1959 as 4146. In Oct 1983 it was acquired by Hemet Valley Flying Service as a spares aircraft and stored at at the Hemet-Ryan airtanker base. In 2001 it was restored and placed on display as a memorial. The text on the memorial plaque reads: "Dedicated in memory of Lloyd M. Venable - A pioneer in the aviation industry - Founder of Hemet Valley Flying Service - 1946. Born Oct 3, 1906 - Died Feb 1, 1991."

Now with the Cactus Air Force Wings and Wheels Museum at Carson City, Nevada.

Third Tracker to carry this registration. First one was c/n 052 (1974-1984), and the second one was c/n 445 (1986-2002). This third one, a Turbo Tracker, took it up on 9 Oct 2003.

Third Tracker to carry this registration. First one was c/n 052 (1974-1984), and the second one was c/n 445 (1986-2002). This third one, a Turbo Tracker, took it up on 9 Oct 2003.

Turbo Firecat just starting its demonstration drop. Ex US Navy 136552, withdrawn from use in 1980 and stored. To N4477Z in 1984 and to C-GQCW with Conair the same year. Converted by them to Firecat airtanker and delivered to the Sécurité Civile in June 1985 as F-ZBEX/9 (using F-WDSX as ferry reg). To F-WEOL in Sep 1995 and flown to Conair in Canada. Stored at Abbotsford awaiting conversion to Turbo Firecat. Became C-GFZG in May 2000 for testing and re-delivered as Turbo Firecat F-ZBMA/24 in Jun 2002 (again using F-WEOL as ferry reg).

On display at Parco Tematico dell'Aviazione near Rimini.

ex US Navy 149875, previous serial AS-0105. Preserved as a gate guardian at Comando de la Aviación Naval, Puerto Cabello

BuNo 149865

These are inaccurate markings on this museum display. The aircraft was indeed operated at NAS Pax with the Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) air component. In 2004 the NRL air component was formally designated a squadron, Scientific Development Squadron One VXS-1. It was given a tail code and squadron patch. Squadron's and units aboard NAS Patuxent River used to be charged with maintaining the upkeep of the Pax museum aircraft, and when the S-2D was brought in for a fresh paint job, someone decided to mark the bird up in VXS-1 markings instead of maintaining the aircraft's actual markings from it's time in service with NRL.

Operator unconfirmed but possibly the USDA US Forest Service. Later converted to a S-2F3AT (a turbo powered version).

Ex US Navy 136668 and JMSDF 4116.

Collided with another tanker near Hopland, California, on August 27, 2001.Both it and N450DF were destroyed.

Last military service was with the JMSDF and wore the code 4116. At the time this photo was taken the aircraft looked to be in decent shape, but it would never fly again. It was still stored at Mesa by 2011 and probably still there at the time of upload.

When this photo was taken, this Tracker was stored at the back of the FAA Museum. It will be used by the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society to restore N12-152333 into flying condition.

Ex CAF 11251. Now on display in this public area adjacent to CFB Winnipeg.