Grumman E-1 Tracer

The Grumman E-1 Tracer was the first purpose-built airborne early warning aircraft used by the United States Navy.

It was a derivative of the Grumman C-1 Trader and entered service in 1958.

It was replaced by the more modern Grumman E-2 Hawkeye by the 1970s.

Variants

XTF-1W

Aerodynamic prototype (BuNo 136792) without electronics, later rebuilt as a standard C-1A, retaining the twin tail.

XWF-1

The XTF-1W re-designated in the W-Warning category.

WF-2

Production Airborne Early Warning version of the TF-1 Trader, redesignated E-1B in 1962, 88 built.

E-1B

WF-2 redesignated in 1962.

Specifications

Crew

4 

Length

45 ft 4 in (13.82 m)

Wingspan

72 ft 4 in (22.05 m)

Height

16 ft 10 in (5.13 m)

Wing area

506 sq ft (47.0 m2)

Airfoil

Root

NACA 63A420

Tip

NACA 63A415

Empty weight

20,638 lb (9,361 kg)

Gross weight

24,800 lb (11,249 kg)

Max take-off weight

26,600 lb (12,066 kg)

Powerplant

2 × Wright R-1820-82A Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,525 hp (1,137 kW) each for take-off

Propellers

3-bladed constant-speed reversible propellers

Performance

Maximum speed

238 mph (383 km/h, 207 kn) at 4,000 ft (1,219 m)

Cruise speed

163 mph (262 km/h, 142 kn)

Range

1,035 mi (1,666 km, 899 nmi)

Endurance

6 hours 50 minutes

Service ceiling

15,800 ft (4,800 m)

Rate of climb

1,120 ft/min (5.7 m/s).