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Originally designated the XTB3F-1 (G-70), this aircraft was designed as a torpedo bomber with a composite power plant consisting of an R-2800-34W piston engine in the nose and a Westinghouse 19XB-2B turbojet engine in the rear fuselage. During evaluation trials considerable modifications were made to change its role to anti-submarine: in 1949 two new prototypes incorporating all the changes were built (carrying the designations XTB3F-1S and XTB3F-2S) the former equipped as a submarine hunter and the latter as a killer.
Both types were ordered by the US Navy under the respective designations AF-1S and AF-2S, but before completion of the first AF-1S its designation was changed to AF-2W. The AF-2S Guardian (G-82) carried one 900kg torpedo, two 720kg depth charges or two 900kg bombs internally, while a similar load could be carried externally. In addition a searchlight was carried under the port wing and a radar scanner under the starboard. The AF-2W carried a large search and early-warning radome beneath the forward fuselage. In 1952-53 the AF-3S version was produced with additional submarine detection gear. Production of the Guardian ended in March 1953.
| MODEL | AF-2S |
| CREW | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48W, 1780kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 11567 kg | 25501 lb |
| Empty weight | 6613 kg | 14579 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 18.49 m | 61 ft 8 in |
| Length | 13.21 m | 43 ft 4 in |
| Height | 4.93 m | 16 ft 2 in |
| Wing area | 52.02 m2 | 559.94 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 510 km/h | 317 mph |
| Ceiling | 9905 m | 32500 ft |
| Range | 2414 km | 1500 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 1 x 907kg torpedo, or 2 x 907kg bombs, 2 x 726kg dive bombs |
| John (Jack) Voorvaart, johnjackv(@)att.net, 19.03.2010 I reported to VS-27 for commissioning in 1950. I was fresh out of AE-School in Memphis. I made AE3 shortly thereafter. The squadron was short of radar operators so I voluntered, whic was a great move. I flew second seat in the AF2-S. Once were were launched off the USS Wright with the engine at idle. My great pilot managed to get the enginer going and we came around and landed safely. Vice Admiral Stockdale then LT Stockdale was a pilot. A great hero and medal of honor winner. | | N. EVANS CDR RETIRED, NAE33(@)WEBTV.NET, 23.02.2010 I FLEW THE AF WHILE ATTACHED TO VX-1. IT HAD MAD EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AND WORK EXTREMELY WELL IN TRACKING AND BOMBING OUR TARKET SUBMARINES. | | D.E.Lowry PR1, dlowry5(@)cfl.rr.com, 31.01.2010 pr1 flew 2nd seat af2w VS801 VS30 NAS Norfolk IN the 50's . flew off THe palau ,block Island, Gitmo for OP's med cruise 50's. | | Quonset Point RI, rangerunner(@)msn.com, 30.01.2010 I was assigned to VS-24 at from July 1952 to Jan 1956. I reported to the squadron as a AM3 and departed a AM1. I flew in the AF-2S as radar and sonorbouy operator. VS-24 flew off the Cabot, Gilbert Islands, Leyte,and Valley Forge. Late 1954 we transitioned from the AF to the S2F. The aircrews loved it because we went from one engine to two and from straight carrier decks to the canted decks. | | WILLIAM H Loveday, Dieselman65(@)aol.com, 30.12.2009 ser in vs-21 1952 to 1955 at nas san deigo | | WILLIAM H Loveday, Dieselman65(@)aol.com, 30.12.2009 ser in vs-21 1952 to 1955 at nas san deigo | | WILLIAM H Loveday, Dieselman65(@)aol.com, 30.12.2009 ser in vs-21 1952 to 1955 at nas san deigo | | wayne covell, wcovell(@)cox.net, 02.12.2009 trying to find the AD5W & queen closes I've seen in the AF-2 Guardian we had them in VAW 11 AND 13 | | Harvey Bues, opnsesme(@)windstream.net, 09.10.2009 Wade & Thos,
I was a combat aircrewman in squadron VS-831/VS-36 in 1953 through 1955.
Flew off the Mindoro, Cula Gulf, Gilbert Islands and Layte.
Had to swim back after we blew an engine off Cuba May 5 1954.
Would like to contact anybody from that same period.
Harv (AO3) | | Wade Owen, owencpa(@)hotmail.com, 03.11.2008 My uncle Ltjg Frank McMeekin was killed Oct. 26, 1954 when his Guardian collided with another during a training excersise off of Norfolk. Both crews, all six men, were killed and are buried at sea. | | Thos Doyle, thosdoyle(@)fuse.net, 02.11.2007 My squadron was VS-30, based in Norfolk, 1953-1955. I was an AT3, and flew mainly in the AF-2S, from the USS Block Island, USS Mindoro, and USS Paleau. I do remember a number of "Emergency Landings" because of hydraulic leaks, mainly in the wingfolds and brakes. In the fall of 1954, we replaced the Guardians with the S2F. |
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Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?
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