The Grumman Tracker was an effective anti-submarine aircraft, with a retractable magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom, a retractable radome, a powerful search light and sixteen sonobuoys. For offensive weaponry, the Tracker carried homing torpedoes or depth charges in the bomb bay and under the wings.

A total of 99 Canadian-built Trackers entered service, starting in 1956. In 1957, HMCS Bonaventure entered service and the Trackers were operated from the aircraft carrier. In 1970, HMCS Bonaventure was decommissioned from service and the Tracker aircraft operated from shore bases. Unfortunately, being based on shore tended to limit the Tracker’s effectiveness as an anti-submarine aircraft, so they were modified for shipping and patrol duties. The Trackers served in this role until the 1990s, when they were retired from active duty.

The Museum’s de Havilland Tracker was one of the first CS2F-2 Trackers built in Canada. After it entered service, it was stationed on HMCS Bonaventure. After HMCS Bonaventure was retired from service in 1970, Tracker 1545 was based on land-based squadrons. As a land-based aircraft, Tracker 1545 had a very active service. It served with every squadron in the Canadian Navy.

During its service life, Tracker 1545 was renumbered with the new tail number 12145. Tracker 12145 was sent to Camp Borden in Ontario and was used as an instructional airframe. In June 1993, Tracker 12145 was retired from service. It appears that it was purchased by Aero Composites Canada Inc., who was interested in making her airworthy. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and Tracker 12145 came into the ownership of Mr. Byron Reynolds. In 2003, Mr. Reynolds donated Tracker 1545/12145 to the Museum.