S-3 Viking

[aim9xray]

The once and future Hoover -

VX-30's first S-3B Viking.  13 Feb 2009 at the Change of Command ceremony.

[phantomphan1974]

Great catch Craig!  Is the Bloodhound going on the tail?  Tail is mostly black already os its half way done.  How many are they getting?  They are sort of low hrs on the S-3s anyways right?

[aim9xray]

1)  Probably.
2) Three airframes have been reported.
3)  I have no ideas on hours.  Shore-based duty will be undoubtedly kinder to the airframe (IE, no cats'n'traps),  extending the structural life.  Parts availability will be another question in the outyears.  It's been reported that the current plan is to fly to 2016.  (Of course the plan was, at one point, to fly the Tomcat to 2009.)

[phantomphan1974]

1)  Probably.
2) Three airframes have been reported.
3)  I have no ideas on hours.  Shore-based duty will be undoubtedly kinder to the airframe (IE, no cats'n'traps),  extending the structural life.  Parts availability will be another question in the outyears.  It's been reported that the current plan is to fly to 2016.  (Of course the plan was, at one point, to fly the Tomcat to 2009.)

Hope they do.

(Of course the plan was, at one point, to fly the Tomcat to 2009.)

[phantomphan1974]

Retired tails.....

[rander]

Any one  got any pics of VS-35 Blue Wolf aircraft. The best S-3 Tail scheme any Viking squadron had.

[phantomphan1974]

 

[NikonGuy]

Nice, old school pic... 

[Raaver]

and some of my favo birds...   
all taken at North Island NAS.

Robert

[phantomphan1974]

Great stuff Robert!

[Code20photog]

Still waiting to see if the S-3 firebomber ever comes to fruition. Aviation Week had an article back in 2006 about it, and talked with a VS-41 pilot who wrote the flight profile for fire drops after 30 or so simulated drops. He said it was amazingly responsive and effective as a fire bomber, but as yet, haven't heard anything else about if it will really happen.

[Midnight Mover]

and some of my favo birds...   
all taken at North Island NAS.

Robert

Very cool

[gfydad]

Today Pt Mugu. 

[kick Z tail out]

Still waiting to see if the S-3 firebomber ever comes to fruition. Aviation Week had an article back in 2006 about it, and talked with a VS-41 pilot who wrote the flight profile for fire drops after 30 or so simulated drops. He said it was amazingly responsive and effective as a fire bomber, but as yet, haven't heard anything else about if it will really happen.

We'd been speculating on that since the 90s. It would totally make sense considering it fits the common profile of aircraft favored for the job. I definitely would rather see the Hoover than a Russian plane anyday.

[phantomphan1974]

Maybe the VX-30 logo soon on tail?   I hope!