P-3 Fullerton Fly Over

[GTagami]

I was doing some BBQ in the backyard today when I heard what I thought was the B-17 or B-24 flying around from Long Beach. I was surprised when a very low-flying P-3 buzzed the house and headed east towards Chino. It had some sort of black pod attached to the bottom of it. It came back heading in the same direction about 3 hours later.

Anyone see it or know what it was doing in the area?

Unfortunately, I had no time to get to my camera. I had the sun and it was so low...it would have made a great shot. 

[Ralph]

If it was white, what you may have saw was NOAA 43, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration P-3 Orion. Its been in the I.E. (ONT-SBD) doing air studies of the air quality and stuff.

[GTagami]

That's it! Thanks, bro. It's been bothering me the whole day.

[kick Z tail out]

Yep, definitely sounds like the WP-3D. Rare sight!

[GTagami]

Yep, definitely sounds like the WP-3D. Rare sight!

Yup, which makes me kick myself even harder for not getting a photo of it.
Ralph, do you happen to know how long it will be in the area?

[Ralph]

No I wish I did   . I dont even know what airfield its taking off out of. If I find out more info I will let you know.

[kick Z tail out]

KCAL did a story on it recently... And Josh Rubenstein has talked about it during a couple weather segments too. It always tickles me to hear people in the media talk about aviation. 

[Code20photog]

A: Josh Rubenstien has a twin engine ratining pilot's license. Big aviation guy. We talk airplanes alot.

B: It may have also been VX-30 Bloodhound 302 out of Point Mugu, which is white with orange trim, and is all white underneath. Former Naval Research Lab aircraft.

[WARBIRD KEITH]

it was indeed the NOAA WP-3D, IT SHOT AN APPROACH INTO LAX YESTERDAY , it was  N43RF

[kick Z tail out]

Good spotting Keith. 

A: Josh Rubenstien has a twin engine ratining pilot's license. Big aviation guy. We talk airplanes alot.

Right, I actually had figured that out about him... I'm kind of generalizing about being "tickled"... it's sometimes in a very good way.

I think old Hal Fishburn (is that right?) from KTLA was a pilot as well. There are a handful of them...

[WARBIRD KEITH]

NOAA43 @ Ontario KONT 5/16