Grumman C-1A Trader

Grumman · United States · first flew 1955 · transport aircraft

The Grumman C-1A Trader is a twin-engine, high-wing carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft derived from the S-2 Tracker anti-submarine aircraft. It served the US Navy ferrying personnel, mail, and cargo to aircraft carriers at sea.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Large fuselage pod behind Wright R-1820 radial engines
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine high-wing carrier onboard delivery aircraft
Folding wings for carrier stowage
Large fuselage pod behind Wright R-1820 radial engines

Distinguishable by its high-set straight wing, twin radial engines in large nacelles, and the characteristic boxy fuselage inherited from the S-2 Tracker family.

Specifications

The Grumman C-1A Trader has a length of 13.3 m (44 ft).
It has a wingspan of 22 m (72 ft).
Its maximum speed is 482 km/h (300 mph).
Typical crew: 2 crew, up to 9 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed in the mid-1950s as a dedicated COD variant of the S-2 Tracker, the C-1A first flew in 1955 and entered Navy service in 1956. It replaced earlier carrier delivery types and served until the C-2 Greyhound took over the COD mission. A total of 87 were built.

Variants

The C-1A was the primary production variant; the TF-1 was the earlier designation before the 1962 tri-service designation system was introduced.

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by the United States Navy throughout its service life, the C-1A was a common sight aboard US carrier air wings from the late 1950s through the 1980s.

Related aircraft

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