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Grumman AF2 Guardian

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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.

The Grumman AF2 Guardian was the largest single engine aircraft ever flown by the U.S. Navy.

The model AF2W had a crew of four and was unarmed. It had an ocean search radar. This was the submarine hunter aircraft.

The model AF2S was the submarine killer. It had a crew of three. It had a search light, a short range radar, and could carry 4,000 lbs.of ordnance including depth charges, rockets and homing torpedoes.

Guardian aircraft saw limited action off the cost of Korea from 1951 to 1953. After they were retired from active duty in 1955, some of the aircraft were equipped with an 800 gallon tank in their bellies to be used as water bombers.

Total AF2 Guardian production numbered 389 aircraft with the last one produced in March of 1953.


Specifications

    Primary Function:
    Crew:
    Engine:
    Power:
    Weight Empty:
    Max. Weight:
    Length:
    Wingspan:
    Cruise Speed:
    Max. Speed:
    Initial Climb:
    Ceiling:
    Range:
    First Flight:
    Year Deployed:		 anti submarine
3 or 4
P&W R2800
2,400 hp
14,580 lbs.
25,500 lbs.
43' 4"
60' 8"
220 mph
315 mph
1,250 fpm
32,500 feet
1,500 miles
11/18/48
1950



Radio Control Airplane
The rc AF-2 Guardian built by Roger Lamb.


Radio Control Airplanes:




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The AF2 Guardian makes an unusual and unique RC Airplane. It appears to be more popular as a control line model than a radio control airplane. These usually can be converted into RC Airplanes.

In the first pictures above and below are AF2 Guardian rc airplanes from Jerry Bates Plans. The model in the picture above was built by Roger Lamb. The rc airplane in the first picture below was built by Bill Lattam.

Both rc airplanes have 112" wing spans and 81.5" lengths. Power can come from 5.0 c.i.d. engines. The all up weight is from 40 to 45 lbs.

Kit Cutters has a kit of the 112" wing span AF2 Guardian RC Airplane from Jerry Bates Plans.

The second picture below is of the rc AF2 Guardian built by Frank Randazzo from Scale Plans and Photo Service plans. It has a wing span of 80". Power comes from an Evo 35GT engine swinging a 19 x 8 propeller.  All up weight is 18.5 lbs.

The last picture on this page is a control line AF2 Guardian from a kit sold by Brodak. It has a wing span of 42 1/2" and a length of 30". Power can be from .32 to .36 engines. Most C/L airplanes can easily be converted to rc.

If you know of any other AF2 Guardian RC Airplane, or you have built one yourself, please email us with the information.


Radio Control Airplane
Bill Lattam's AF-2 Guardian rc.


Radio Control Airplane
RC AF-2 Guardian built by Frank Randazzo.



Radio Control Airplane
C/L Airplane from Brodak for rc conversion.