S-2T: history and specs

In the mid 1970’s CAL Fire’s fleet of air tankers were growing old and needed to be retired. These aging air tankers were replaced by newer Grumman S-2A aircraft (sometimes referred to as the S2-F1) beginning in 1975. These aircraft were used from the from the mid-1950s to the mid to late 1970s by the U.S. Navy for surveillance. The S-2A’s used by CAL FIRE were modified for use as civilian air tankers. The last of CAL FIRE’s S-2A air tankers was retired in 2005.

For a short history of the military service of the aircraft that is also known as the Grumman S2-F, the S-2 Tracker Museum has a webpage on it’s history. When you get to the home page, click on the “history” link at the top of the page.

By the mid-1990’s the fleet of S-2A’s had been in service for about 20 years, CAL FIRE began to prepare to retire the S-2A fleet. A decision was made to replace the S-2A’s with what CAL FIRE calls model S-2E/G series aircraft. Without getting into the complexities of changing model numbers over time, let’s just say that these were later variations of the Grumman S2-F aircraft. CAL FIRE acquired at least 23 S-2E/G aircraft from the Department of Defense. Marsh Aviation made extensive modifications to the S-2E/G aircraft including: adding a 1,200 gallon constant flow retardant tank, new turboprop engines, new avionics, and new electronics. CAL FIRE has 23 of these air tankers that they call S-2T’s. By 2005 the last three S-2T air tankers were delivered. Twenty-two are stationed around the state at CAL FIRE air attack bases and one is used for maintenance relief. CAL FIRE has a fact sheet on the S-2T air tanker that may be found here. The CAL FIRE Pilots Association has a nice map of CAL FIRE’s air attack bases that includes links for more information on each base, it may be found at this location.

Specifications of the S-2T:

length (ft): 65
wing span (ft): 73
turn radius (ft): 45
cruise speed (knots): 250
gross weight (lbs): 29,200
range loaded (st. miles): 1,500
contract operating weight (lbs): 29,200
retardant load (gallons): 1,200