RAN Grumman Tracker takes off from HMAS Melbourne
© David Marshall Aviation Art 2025
The RAN took delivery of 32 of the rugged Grumman S-2 Tracker machines and operated them from HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Albatross at Nowra. The Navy’s Historic Flight Tracker, the subject of the above painting was a favourite performer at HMAS Albatross Flying Days at Nowra, NSW. It is now part of the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s static display.
This dramatic painting shows a Grumman S-2 Tracker sweeping low over the sea at sunset, with an aircraft carrier behind it and warm light catching the waves and fuselage. The scene captures a moment of controlled tension and precision.
The plane marked 844 is rendered in crisp detail, flying just above the ocean surface. Behind the plane sits the HMAS Melbourne with its angled flight deck and island superstructure clearly visible. The perspective suggests the Grumman S-2 Tracker has either just launched or is making a low pass before lining up for approach.
- About David Marshall
- About Ships and aircraft in company
In this section a wide variety of artworks with more than one ship, submarine or aircraft are featured. When two or more naval vessels are operating together they are said to be ‘in company’.
The diverse nature of activities, exercises and deployments undertaken by ships, submarines and aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy means that a ship may spend long periods conducting single ship operations or periodically join with large numbers of other ships for such events as a naval review or fleet entry to a port. These latter events are generally scheduled to commemorate a particular event. During such events a prominent or royal figure will review the fleet as part of the ceremony. Throughout its history ships of the RAN have participated in major fleet entries and reviews both in Australian waters and overseas.
Details of Ships in the First Fleet
Name Class Commission Dates HMAS Australia Indefatigable Class 21 Jun 1913 – 12 Dec 1921 HMAS Melbourne Town Class Light Cruiser 18 Jan 1913 – 23 Apr 1928 HMAS Sydney Town Class Light Cruiser 26 Jun 1913 – 8 May 1928 HMAS Encounter Challenger Class Light Cruiser 1 Jul 1912 – 1 Jan 1923 HMAS Warrego River Class 1 Jun 1912 – 22 Jul 1919 HMAS Parramatta River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 22 Jul 1919 HMAS Yarra River Class 10 Sep 1910 – 30 Sep 1929
More reading
- Additional resources for Ships and aircraft in company
RAN Sea King over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
RAN Gannets over HMAS Melbourne
Korean War Battler – A RAN Firefly V makes a low pass over HMAS Sydney
Hawker Sea Fury – The ultimate piston-engined fighter
805 Squadron RAN Sea Venom makes a low pass over HMAS Melbourne (ll)
Aircraft carrier, with Grumman Avenger aircraft on flight deck
Replenishment at Sea (RAS) Approach, HMAS Supply, Hobart and Sydney
MV KRAIT and Japanese Destroyer in 1943
Troop Convoy and Escort and Hudson Bomber
N Class Destroyers off Libya
Sydney Harbour looking east to Garden Island from Dawes Point
Second Convoy that left Albany, Western Australia on the 31st December 1914
RAN tribute to Anzac dead Dardanelles 12th November 1918
Proud Entry
HMAS Arunta HMAS Westralia with US Navy Light Cruser
HMA Ships MORESBY and ATTACK post 1967
HMA ships LABUAN and FREMANTLE with OBERON submarine
HMAS VAMPIRE, MELBOURNE and PARRAMATTA
Howzat Good Catch Sea Fury RAN
