HOME      Grumman AF-2 Guardian

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Click on the picture to hear the wav sound.

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 AF2W had a crew of four and was unarmed. It had an ocean search radar. This was the submarine hunter aircraft.
 
The AF2S was the 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 Guardian 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

RC Airplane built by Roger Lamb.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
The 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 radio control airplanes from Jerry Bates Plans. The radio control airplane in the picture above was built by Roger Lamb. The RC Airplane in the first picture below was built by Bill Lattam.
 
Both radio control airplanes have 112" wing spans and 81.5" lengths. Power for the RC Airplanes can come from 5.0 c.i.d. engines. The all up weight of the radio control airplanes is from 40 to 45 lbs.
 
Kit Cutters Inc. will sell you either full or short kits of the 112" wing span AF2 RC Airplane from Jerry Bates Plans.
 
The second picture below is of the AF2 radio control airplane built by Frank Randazzo from Scale Plans and Photo Service plans. The RC Airplane has a wing span of 80". Power for the radio control airplane comes from an Evo 35GT engine swinging a 19 x 8 propeller.  All up weight of the RC Airplane is 18.5 lbs.  
 
The last picture on this page is not of a radio control airplane, but a control line AF2 airplane from a kit sold by Brodak. The C/L Airplane has a wing span of 42 1/2" and a length of 30". Power for the control line airplane can be from .32 to .36 engines.
 
If you know of any other AF2 Guardian RC Airplane plans, kits, or ARF's, or you have built an AF2 radio control airplane yourself, please email us with the information.
 
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane by Bill Lattam.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane built by Frank Randazzo.

Not a Radio Control Airplane
C/L Airplane from Brodak.