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Description
| Manufacturer: | Grumman | |
| Base model: | WF | |
| Designation: | WF | |
| Version: | -2 | |
| Nickname: | Tracer | |
| Equivalent to: | E-1B | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Navy / Marines | |
| Designation Period: | 1952-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Airborne Early Warning | |
| Crew: | Four | |
| See Also: | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 45' 4" | 13.8 m | |
| Height: | 16' 10" | 5.1 m | |
| Wingspan: | 72' 17" | 22.3 m | |
| Wingarea: | 499.0 sq ft | 46.3 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 20,638 lb | 9,359 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 26,600 lb | 12,063 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Wright R-1820-82A | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 1525 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 1,000 miles | 1,610 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 163 mph | 262 km/h | 141 kt |
| Max Speed: | 227 mph | 365 km/h | 197 kt |
| Climb: | 1,120 ft/min | 341 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 15,800 ft | 4,815 m | |
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum | New York | New York |
| National Museum of Naval Aviation | NAS Pensacola | Florida |
| New England Air Museum | Windsor Locks | Connecticut |
| Pima Air & Space Museum | Tucson | Arizona |
E-1 B on display
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum | National Museum of Naval Aviation | New England Air Museum | ||
Pima Air & Space Museum |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Ron Blanchette ADR-3 Mesa, AZ | In 1965-66 I served aboard the USS Independence CVA-65 in the south China sea near Viet-Nam.I was a plane captain on a WF-2 Willy Fudd called "EVIL EYE" from VAW-12.We had a total of 4..The names of the other 3 were"Eagle Eye","One Eye" and "Dead Eye".One of these three was lost at sea,but all the crew was rescued with minor injuries and exposure issues.We were relieved on 'Yankee Station'by the USS ENTERPRISE sometime in early 1966 and came back home to Norfolk VA.after sustaining a fairly serious flight deck fire.There were some injuries,but I don't think there were any fatalities. RON 04/22/2010 @ 08:55 [ref: 26058] |
| Lcdr. Cleland McBurney, USN (Ret) Kingman, KS | The WF-2 (E1B) was a great stable airplane to fly, and very mission accomplished. I recall one winter night off Nova Scotia when we detected no less than the USS NAUTILIS running on the surface. Scrappers (S2F) converged under the direction of our air controllers and NAUTILIS fired green flares to indicate she was a friendly! Made our day, or night as the case was. The E1B played a pivital role in air controlling and sub hunting. Grumman Iron Works built the machine for the time. 03/28/2010 @ 02:50 [ref: 25936] |
| Jo Ann Bozeman Dublin, GA | In the 1960's , I believe around 1962-1963, My late husband LCDR Henry G. Bozeman spent some time in Norfolk, Va. as one of three Navy test pilots for the WF-2. At the end of the test period, they flew 3 of the new "Willie Fuds" back to the base in Rhode Island where they were stationed. As they approached the tower before landing, the guy in the tower told them they looked like a heard of turtles coming in for a landing. They were of course dubed "Fud Drivers" . I remember we all had so much fun with that airplane. Grummen gave my husband a model of the WF-2 for his desk... I still have it today. And am very proud of it.He was known as "# 1 Fud Driver" .I do have a number of pictures of the three coming in for a landing ( pictures that the Navy photographers took. They are 8 x 12's ) Even the pictures of the celebration after they returned. They are packed away, some where.. I would be glad to send you coppies of them for your files if you would like. This WF-2 evidently a newer version, than the one pictured here. He was in the VAW-12 squadron, and as I remember I believe that the three test pilots took them on their maiden voyage.. At this point I can't remember the name of the ship that was there at the Navial Base in Rhode Island. I was rather young then and really didn't pay a lot of attention to the particulas..so my dates may be a little off. Both of the other pilots had the first names of John..just now I can't recall their last names, I believe all were LCDR's . My husband went on to become the youngest flight deck officer in the Navy at that time on the Independance (the guy that took his place got a huge 4 page spread in an important magazine ...Life, or one of those...as the youngest Flight Deck Officer in the Navy.He was several years older than my husband! LOL)and then just before my husband retiredm he spent a year in Vietnaum ...the year was 1969. He retired, became an attorney in Dublin,Ga. and in September of 1996 died of pancratic cancer. I have always felt that his death was due to contact with agent orange when he was landing on tiny air strips in the mountains and jungles of Vietnaum. I understand it took years for agent orange to do it's dirty work. I have never approached the Navy about my beliefs...but I am sure there are similar cases if records were checked. (Just a thought)
My main interest now, is to find out more about the time that my husband was a test pilot for the WF-2 and the first voyage. And get dates that are more valid than my memory for my sons and grandson. And to email anyone that was stationed in Rhode Island or was in the VAW-12 squadron at that time. It was a very large squadron... and a great bunch of people were involved with the working of that squadron. You can reach me at flyjo@bellsouth.net My address is Joanne Bozeman (Wall) 173 Trinity Road Dublin, Georgia 31021 It would be such a privilege to hear from you or any of the ones from the VAW-12 squadron. 12/13/2006 @ 07:34 [ref: 14991] |
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