Grumman C-1 Trader

The Grumman C‑1 Trader was a twin‑engine, carrier‑based transport aircraft developed for the United States Navy in the early 1950s. Derived from the earlier S‑2 Tracker anti‑submarine aircraft, the C‑1 first flew on 23 June 1953 and entered service in 1955, where it performed cargo, personnel, and mail shuttle missions between shore bases and fleet carriers. Powered by two Wright R‑1820 radial engines delivering 1,350 hp each, the aircraft featured a rugged all‑metal airframe, a high‑mounted wing with leading‑edge slats, and a large, rear‑loading ramp that allowed rapid loading of pallets, vehicles, and helicopter components. Its robust landing gear and strengthened carrier‑deck attachment points enabled operations from the limited space of aircraft carriers, while its 10‑person crew could conduct both flight and ground handling tasks. Throughout the Cold War, the Trader proved essential for logistical support, especially during the Vietnam War, where it moved supplies to forward operating bases. Retired from front‑line service in the early 1990s, several airframes continue to serve as firefighting and test platforms, underscoring the design’s lasting utility and its role in shaping carrier logistics and shipboard aircraft transport capability.

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