Jack Fellows (American, B. 1941) "Grumman S2F-1S1 Tracker" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood Commemorative cover with a US 29c Flag stamp postmarked December 4, 1991. In World War II, Allied use of hunter-killer aircraft teams played a key role in defeating German submarines. After the war, the Navy wanted to develop anti-submarine aircraft capable of both seeking and destroying enemy submarines. In 1950 Grumman won the right to produce a prototype, and production of the S-2 Tracker commenced two years later. Until its retirement in 1977, the Tracker operated primarily off carrier decks, combining low speed maneuverability with high payload capacity for ordnance and detection equipment. In 1964, Lt Bud O'Toole, stationed on the U.S.S. Intrepid in the Mediterranean, honed in on the signal of a Soviet "Whiskey" class submarine lurking in the area. The encounter illustrated the Tracker's efficacy and warned potential enemies that the U.S. Navy kept vigilant watch on the open seas. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18.5 x 16 in. Unframed. (B13333)