Under MDAP Italy had received the PV-2 Harpoon for the anti-submarine role, but sought more modern equipment in the form of P-2 Neptunes. Instead, the US offered Trackers which would have the advantage of commonality with USN S2F-1s already operating with the 6th Fleet. Delivered from 1957, this example was one of the original six assigned to Napoli. They were always land-based and were progressively withdrawn through the 1970s as the Breguet Atlantic was introduced. The former USN Bu Aer number was adopted as the MM serial. The last Italian Tracker was grounded in August 1978.

Later to N3125N, then C-FAXD. Photo by Fred Guthrie.

Taken at a spottersday when 4x F-104S were there for a Squadron rotation.

The Museo Storico AM, reopened on june 16, 2023 as MUSAM after restyling.

Photographer: Toshiyuki Toda. MDAP serial 52-5439. Became QF-86 62-8416.

301Sqn F-4EJ recovers at home base during the morning hours

The rear fuselage and tail, showing the yellowed 41°Stormo emblem, the code applied (last operational one may have been AS-6) and how the original BuNo was adopted as Matricula Militare. The small tail strut and wheel that would prevent the empannage from hitting the deck for carrier-landing S-2s can also just be seen.

Although somewhat compromising the exhibition of the aircraft, the way this Tracker is parked actually highly resembles how it would be done below deck on an aircraft carrier! The Italian S-2s operated from land though, and this was one of six delivered to the AMI (on behalf of the Marina Militare) at Napoli in 1957.