Grumman AF-2 Guardian "Fire Bomber"

The prototype AF-2 first flew in November 1948, while the AF-2S made its maiden flight in January of the following year. A year later, the type entered service with the US Navy. Later, a third version was added, the AF-3S, which was basically an AF-2S equipped with a magnetic anomaly detector. The AF-3s were deployed from both land bases and aircraft carriers.
During the Korean War, the type was used to defend US Navy ships in the combat zone.

The Guardian was withdrawn from frontline service in 1955 and remained only with US Navy reserve units until 1957. The type was the first US Navy carrier-based aircraft built specifically for anti-submarine warfare.
It is also the largest single-engine piston aircraft ever flown from a US Navy carrier.
After retiring from military service, the type was also used to fight forest fires.
The aircraft were specially converted for this purpose.

Plastic model kit
 

• with photoetched parts

 

scale 1/48

unbuilt / unpainted