E-1B Tracer, Historic military aircraft on display at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, United States.
The E-1B Tracer is a carrier-based early warning aircraft displayed at the Intrepid Museum, featuring a large radar dome mounted on its fuselage and twin tail configuration for improved stability during operations.
Developed from the Grumman C-1 Trader and first flown in December 1956, the E-1B served the United States Navy from 1960 to 1977 as the first purpose-built airborne early warning aircraft for carrier operations.
The Tracer earned the nickname Willy Fudd from crew members due to its distinct appearance, and it represents Cold War maritime surveillance technology that established foundational strategies for modern naval airborne early warning systems.
The aircraft is located on the outdoor deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan, providing close access for visitors to view its folding wing mechanism and radar equipment.
The E-1B Tracer features a tail-dragger landing gear configuration that creates a nose-up attitude during taxiing, which helped optimize its launch profile from aircraft carrier catapult systems during naval operations.
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