Grumman AF-2S Guardians??

Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:21 am

How many are out there? Any flyers?
I remember seeing one fly at Tico in the late 80's. I think Jimmy Leeward had it. Haven't seen one since.

Regards,
Mike

Wed Dec 28, 2005 5:25 am

I don't know much about those rigs, but theres a project for sale at Courtesy.

http://www.courtesyaircraft.com

Website · Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:03 pm

There is one on display at the CAF Arizona Wing's Museum in Mesa, AZ here is the link: http://www.arizonawingcaf.com/pages/guardian.html

Mike Prentiss

Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:42 pm

I know the Naval Avaition Museum, Pima and the AZ Wing of the CAF all have one on display also.

Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:54 pm

According to WD # 4 these are the surviving Guardians.

Bu123088 Aero Union Corp, Chico CA (For Sale)

Bu123100 NMNA, NAS Pensacola FL

Bu126731 Confederate Air Force, Harlingen/Midland TX Displayed at Mesa

Bu126792 Bahia Oaks Inc, Ocala FL (Flyer)

Bu129233 Pima Air Museum, Tucson AZ

Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:27 pm

B Darnell is correct. There are five surviving examples. The one still at Chico at Aero Union is the one that Courtesy is selling. Jimmy Leeward or Ronnie Gardner are probably the last people to fly them. The One we have in Mesa is awaiting it's turn for restoration. The problem is that there are no parts out there other than the cache that Aero Union has and all of that goes with the sale of the last plane. Our plane is missing the bomb bay doors, Carb heat riser and prop blades and brakes. Otherwise it is fairly complete but does need a paintjob soon

Fri Dec 30, 2005 1:10 am

Jerry Janes told me this story a few years back.

"Down at Wiley Sanders place several years ago, Jimmy Leeward let a few guys check out in his Guardian. Jerry flew it around the pattern, brought it back and said he didn't care too much for it. Ronnie Gardner took it around the pattern and brought it right back. When asked why he didn't fly it longer, he said he was scared somebody that knew him might see him flying it!"