On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 16:27:55 -0500, Charlie Wolf
wrote:

Sorry Bill - I assumed your reference to the age of the aircraft would
have referred to the introduction of the aircraft - not the fact that
they are still flying (somewhere)...

I guess I was one of the Last of the Giants! :-)

The design may go back as late is WWII. I once saw a photo of a twin
engine torpedo/glide bomber proposed by Grumman that was the spitting
image of the Stoof. It had larger engines (R-2800, maybe) and a
retracable gun turret where the radome would later be. I don't
remember a top or tail gun. It was also a bit sleeker, but not much.

I always thought that Grumman dusted off that old design, modified it
for ASW, and then pitched it to the Navy, who bought it. If so, the
design is even older than we give it credit for!!!

Many tens of thousands of student naval aviators "did time" in some
varient of the TS2. As a trainer is was a challenge, but not
insurmountable. It was honest and would not "bite" if you respected
it. Single engine performance was beyond spectacular. That last item
could "set you up" in some other aircraft, as few had the power to
weight ratio the TS2 did in a single engine configuration.

There are a bunch of S2s around as fire fighters. There are also a
fair number out there in private hands as "warbirds." Maybe if I win
the lottery someday...!!!

Bill Kambic