S-2 Trackers Around the World

Carcal Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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For the uninitiated, Caracal Models is based in Austin, Texas, in the United States.  They produce decals for military aircraft in (to date at least) 1/48 scale.  They have released just three sheets so far with another due for release in August.

This issue (CD48005) provides markings for ten different Grumman’s S-2 Trackers – both the short-fuselage S-2A, S2F-1, and CS-2F as well as the long-fuselage S-2E variant. 

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Thumbnail panels:

The sheet is aimed squarely at the recent 1/48 Kinetic/Italeri S-2 Tracker kits.  The provided markings enable you to model your S-2 kit in the colour schemes of seven different nations that operated these machines.

The individual options are as follows:

• CS2F-1 12189, a Canadian built machine operated by the Canadian Forces Air Command circa 1983.  The machine is finished in overall Canadian grey with a black anti-glare panel and propeller domes.

• S-2N pennant number 168 of the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy), as it appeared at Naval Air Station Valkenburg, Holland circa 1972.  The machine is finished in a camouflage scheme of extra dark sea grey upper surfaces over sky undersides and sports a black anti-glare panel on the nose with red propeller domes.

• S2F-1 tail code 4144, Bureau number 136743 of the Japanese Marine Self Defence Force (JMSDF) in 1972.  The machine is finished in the standard United States Navy scheme of FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces.  The notes on the placement guide advises that there may have been some variance with this and offers alternatives.

• S2F-U tail code 9153 Bureau number 136731 of the JMSDF in 1973.  A bright machine to say the least,  it is finished in a target tug scheme comprising FS16081 engine grey fuselage and engine cowlings with an FS12197 orange-yellow vertical stabiliser, and FS13538 wings and a black anti-glare panel on the nose and the inner faces of the engine cowlings.  As if that is not bright enough, the wings wear also wear FS12197 bands around the wings. 

• S2F-C tail code 9061, Bureau number 136603 of the JMSDF in 1975.   This option also wears the standard United States Navy scheme of FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces.

• S-2E, Bureau number 152373, 2373 of the Republic of Korea Navy in 1984. It wears the standard United States Navy scheme of FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces.

• S2F-1 Tracker 2150 of the Taiwanese Navy in 1989.  It wears a striking camouflage scheme comprising a disruptive pattern which the notes on the placement guide advises to be of FS34226 grey green, FS35042 sea blue and FS35200 blue on its upper surfaces and the sides of the fuselage/engine nacelles FS 17875 insignia white undersides.

• S2F-1 (S-2A) 1107, Bureau number 136688 of the Royal Thai Navy in 2000.  It is finished in the standard United States Navy scheme of FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces.  It also wears somewhat fearsome shark mouth artwork on the nose.

• S-2A 146 of the TurkDeniz Kuvvetleri (Turkish Naval Forces) in 1985.  It wears standard United States Navy scheme of FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces.

• S-2E 679, Bureau number 151679 of the TurkDeniz Kuvvetleri in 1992.  It too wears the standard United States Navy scheme of FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces. 

The decals themselves come on two separate sheets and have been printed by Cartograf.  Everything is in perfect register on my sample sheets and the printing is sharp and clear.  No stencil data is provided at all and this is fair enough as the kit supplied stencil data is very comprehensive to say the least.  The notes on the placement guide advise you to apply all standard U.S. (English) stencil data from the kits decal sheet.

The placement guide comes in the form of a small 15 page booklet that has full colour left hand side profiles as well as full plan views of the upper surfaces and smaller scrap views of the undersides of the wings.  The Taiwanese Navy version also has a right hand side view of the fuselage to show the camouflage pattern.  Comprehensive notes accompany each option advising on colour schemes as well as pertinent notes regarding the aircraft’s equipment fit out and of what version of the Kinetic/Italeri kits should be used.

The placement guide and the two decal sheets come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

A comprehensive release from Caracal Models that will be sure to please fans of Grumman’s S-2 Tracker.  As of the moment, the sheet enables you to model three machines using what is in the Kinetic/Italeri boxes.  A glance at the sprues in the initial Kinetic S-2F/S-2E/S-2G version shows that the subsequent releases (with the shorter fuselage) will enable you to model the other depicted options in due course.

Thanks to Caracal Models for the review sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2010 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 29 July, 2011
Last updated 29 July, 2011

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