| Lockheed S-3 Viking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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About the Hasegawa model: As I recall, I had a difficult time with this particular kit. Getting all the parts in place was challenging, and the decals presented a challenge. However, this was largely because I had gotten in over my head. Hasegawa kits are usually pretty complex, and require more building skill than i had at the time. In all likelyhood, it's a perfectly good kit that I just screwed up. I should note that the paint is just toally wrong. It was supposed to be standard navy gull gray over white, but I didn't want to deal with the white paint (I still don't like dealing with it, but do it when necessary), so I substitued a newer ghost gray paint scheme. Oh well. Not the best I've done, but not the worst either. About the S-3 Viking: At the height of the Cold War, the US Navy required and ever-better anti-submarine capability to combat the strengthening Soviet submarine fleet. Replacing the Grumman S-2 Tracker and providing all the US Navy's carrier-based submarine defense is the Lockheed S-3 Viking. These aircraft 'sow' sonobouys around the fleet to detect any sounds emitted by hostile subs. They also have an active sonar system, an APS-116 radar, a forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) system, ECM jammers, and a retractable MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) 'sting' in the tail to detect changes in the Earth's magnetic field, signifying a large object beneath the surface of the water. The four-seat Vikings also have a secondary attack capability and have two external pylons and a small internal bomb bay for anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons such as Harpoon missiles, rockets, depth charges, mines, homing torpedoes, and cluster bombs. The S-3's two TF34-GE-400A turbofan engines are mounted on the wings. The S-3B can also be used in the tanker role, carrying a refueling package in a pod under one wing. This S-3B sports the markings of VS-21, serving on board the U.S.S Forrestal, and carries drop tanks for extra station time. During Operation Desert Storm, a number of Vikings were armed with iron bombs which they dropped on land targets. Other versions of the Viking include the ES-3B, used for stand-off jamming, and the US-3, for use as a liaison and transport plane from carrier to base. The US Navy is the only operator of all types.
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Copyright ©2003 David Jong [Jong Productions, Ltd.], All Rights Reserved. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Updated: December 8, 2003. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
