A derivative of Grumman's S2F anti-submarine aircraft, the C-1
Trader appeared in 1955 as a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD)
aircraft. Using a modified cabin that could accommodate up to
nine passengers and a moderate payload, the Trader was the last
piston-engined aircraft to routinely operate from carriers. In
addition to shuttling personnel and spare parts, the COD's most
endearing mission was delivering the crew's mail.
This particular aircraft is a genuine Midway COD. The U.S. flag
logo indicates it flew from bases in foreign lands. When the
Midway was rebuilt in the late 1960's, she no longer had any
aviation gasoline capacity. Yet, in 1971, a C-1 like this was
assigned to the ship. Dubbed "Easy Way Airlines" the COD flew
out of the airbase at Da Nang, South Vietnam while the ship
operated on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf. By carefully
planning each flight and strictly managing fuel use, the COD
crews kept the Midway serviced, despite not being able to
refuel from their ship.
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