E-1 Tracer - Definition and Overview

E-1 Tracer
E-1 Tracer

The E-1 Tracer was the first purpose built airborne early warning aircraft used by the United States Navy. It was a derivative of the S-2 Tracker and first entered service in 1954. It was replaced by the more modern E-2 Hawkeye in early 1970s.

The E-1 was designated WF under the old US Navy system; the designation earned it the nickname "Willy Fudd". Since the S-2 Tracker was known as S2F under the old system, that airplane was nicknamed "Stoof"; the WF thus inherited the nickname "Stoof with a Roof."