S-3 Viking

[Volkodav]

And now Korea is getting them for real, not to mention that the US is revisiting it as a tanker or COD platform.

Some of the banter around the Korean move has suggested it would be a good option for the RNZAF!

[Rickshaw]

I thought they were being offered to the ROKN, not that the ROKN had adopted them.

[Volkodav]

Either or, this is a wiff site after all.  I had never considered South Korea as a real world operator and just the fact it is being considered is exciting, don't actually know where it is at.

[elmayerle]

I've seen the article, S. Korea is buying them and upgrading them as part of their extension of blue-water operations.  The same article also mentions they are looking small carriers along the lines of what Spain and Italy operate.  New Harrier potential whifs?

[Volkodav]

I've seen the article, S. Korea is buying them and upgrading them as part of their extension of blue-water operations.  The same article also mentions they are looking small carriers along the lines of what Spain and Italy operate.  New Harrier potential whifs?

Or F-35Bs, I wonder if it was the carrier plans that canned the F-15SE and got the F-135A back in the running?

[GTX_Admin]

And now Korea is getting them for real, not to mention that the US is revisiting it as a tanker or COD platform.

Some of the banter around the Korean move has suggested it would be a good option for the RNZAF!

From what I understand, Korea has not purchased them - their decision regarding MPAs isn't scheduled until 2016 I believe.  Supposedly though, Lockheed Martin has/is considering offering the refurbished S-3s (there are about 50 to 100 in the boneyard at Davis-Monthan).  This has been discussed before with other prospective customers.

Re a RNZDF purchase, I love the idea...though I doubt it would occur for real.  Not that that is a reason to not model/profile some...

[elmayerle]

Or some for the RAN?  I wonder how they'd do with engine upgrades to match teh latest CF34 engines in commercial usage?

[GTX_Admin]

How about a post communist Cuba?

[Volkodav]

I just keep imagining an S-3 as a USN, USMC US Army and USAF persistent ISTAR / attack platform in use over Iraq and Afghanistan.  It could also be a dron controller in its own right using the drone and an extension of themselves.

[GTX_Admin]

could also be a dron controller in its own right using the drone and an extension of themselves.

Another damn fine idea!

[GTX_Admin]

Random Inspiring image:

[GTX_Admin]

I wonder if anyone would do a decal set for this one:

[PR19_Kit]

How about the competition? The Grumman S-4B Sentinel....  :)

[taiidantomcat]

Fine work there  :)

[ysi_maniac]

beautiful, indeed!
 

[Daryl J.]

It would be subtle, but I've thought of adding 1/2" to the fuselage both fore and aft the main wing and a set of winglets.

[PR19_Kit]

That sounds a good idea, I've always thought the S-3 looked as if it had run into a brick wall early in life.

[aerospacer]

How about Boeing's joined wing concept http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/File:1998-10-05_-_Boeing_EX_Surveillance_System_Concept.jpg?

Martin

[GTX_Admin]

How about Boeing's joined wing concept http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/File:1998-10-05_-_Boeing_EX_Surveillance_System_Concept.jpg?

Martin

Definitely on the cards - I plan to use a ES-3 as a starting point.

[Rafael]

How about Boeing's joined wing concept http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/File:1998-10-05_-_Boeing_EX_Surveillance_System_Concept.jpg?

Martin

Definitely on the cards - I plan to use a ES-3 as a starting point.

I'd so Looove to see that!

Mine never went past casting the engines from a donor 1/144 C-5. It's still with the other hangar queens. Carved Foam fuselage, cardboard wings.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Jalopnik - US-3 Viking COD Lockheed proposes rebuild of the S-3 and it looks pretty much like I had imagined it should look with the main landing gear moved into sponsons on either side of the fuselage :)

[Volkodav]

Jalopnik - US-3 Viking COD Lockheed proposes rebuild of the S-3 and it looks pretty much like I had imagined it should look with the main landing gear moved into sponsons on either side of the fuselage :)

So cool, hope it happens and that once the Viking is back in service someone clicks that it would still be a great ASW, ASuW, ISR and supplementary strike asset and swings a general return to service on the USNs now less crowded flight decks.  Maybe a restart of production once they run out of stored airframes and marketed globally as a tactical transport, tanker, MPA, ISR etc.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

So cool, hope it happens and that once the Viking is back in service someone clicks that it would still be a great ASW, ASuW, ISR and supplementary strike asset and swings a general return to service on the USNs now less crowded flight decks.  Maybe a restart of production once they run out of stored airframes and marketed globally as a tactical transport, tanker, MPA, ISR etc.

Other possible variants if the US-3X does go into service, how about these two Viking variants?:

MUS-3X Viking SOLL (Special Operations [at] Low Level) equipped with for low-level flight with TFR and FLIR navigation aids for insertion and resupply of special operations forces.  Would be based on the US-3X with additional avionics for the SOLL mission. 

KS-3X Viking [dedicated] Tanker with internal tankage and two hose-drogue units under the wings. 

[Volkodav]

USMC tactical transport, also adopted by the Army.  New STOL wing developed for a completely new C-3 (C-28 or what ever) which sporns its own family of variants including ISR platforms, mini AEW and gunship. 

[Kerick]

Just read an article today about how the navy needs a new COD aircraft. Lengthen the fuselage and there you go. I know, makes too much sense.