Happy Birthday To The Grumman C-1 Trader

A photo of Daniel Serrato's C-1 Trader "Mudflap Girl" at the 2011 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.

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A photo of Daniel Serrato's C-1 Trader "Mudflap Girl" at the 2011 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.
A photo of Daniel Serrato’s C-1 Trader “Mudflap Girl” at the 2011 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.

By Aviation Enthusiasts LLC

The Grumman C-1 Trader flew for the first time fifty-nine years ago today.  The C-1 was derived from the S-2 Tracker and featured a deeper fuselage for the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) role.  The Trader could seat nine passengers or accommodate cargo weighing up to 3,500 pounds.  The C-1 made the last U.S. Navy carrier landing by a piston-engine aircraft on September 21, 1988.

On November 25, 2013 "Miss Belle"  was rolled out of the hangar for the first tests. (Image by Barry Griffiths)
On November 25, 2013 “Miss Belle” was rolled out of the hangar for the first tests. (Image by Barry Griffiths)

Daniel Serrato is the owner and operator of the above-mentioned rare Grumman C-1A Trader (BuNo 136778) Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) which is available for airshows, flybys, film. Another great example of this aircraft is “Miss Belle” operated by Trader Air of Tupeka, Ks. .“Miss Belle” had had a long career in the US Navy, which accepted the craft in August, 1958 and kept it in service for 30 years, retiring the plane in September, 1988. Over the course of her service, she traveled the globe supporting naval operations, amassing nearly 16,000 Flying Hours. She made nearly 10,000 landings (over 800 arrested), and was launched from a carrier catapult 190 times.

The last C-1A was retired from US Navy service in 1988, In 2010 the Brazilian navy acquired eight Grumman C-1A Traders for extensive modification to perform carrier on-board delivery and air refuelling roles.The aircraft went through an initial overhaul in the USA to restore them to airworthiness. They were then  ferried to Brazil’s São Pedro da Aldeia naval air base.

Visit the full website at www.aviation-enthusiasts.com for more aviation and air show memories!

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