Stoofdriver: Flying the Grumman S-2 Tracker

Step into the cockpit of the legendary Grumman S-2 Tracker with Lt. Mike Ray as he chronicles the USS Hornet Far East cruise of 1965 — one of the final chapters of the great Essex-class ASW carriers. Told through vivid pictures and firsthand narrative, this is a historically significant account of naval aviation at its most raw and real.

A one-of-a-kind tribute to the men who flew anti-submarine warfare missions from carrier decks during one of the most intense periods of the Cold War era. If you served, you'll recognize every moment. If you didn't, you'll wish you had.

What's Inside

• Grumman S-2 Tracker operations — ASW flying from an Essex-class carrier deck
• USS Hornet 1965 Far East cruise — pictures and firsthand accounts
• Essex-class carrier history — a chronicle of a defining era in US naval aviation
• Personal stories — the camaraderie, the missions, and the memories

Perfect For

• US Navy veterans and naval aviation history enthusiasts
• Grumman S-2 Tracker fans and ASW aviation buffs
• Military history collectors and Essex-class carrier historians
• A meaningful gift for anyone who served aboard the USS Hornet

Available as an instant digital download. A historically significant piece of naval aviation history.