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| Hobby Master 1:72 HA4904 S-3B Viking "Santa Tracker", VS-35, USS Abraham Lincoln |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale: 1:72 |
Length: 9" |
Width: 11.5" |
Composition: Diecast |
SKU: HM-HA4904 |
** ONLY ONE LEFT! THIS ITEM IS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. **
Historical:
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify and track enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group. A carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, multi-mission aircraft with long range; it carried automated weapon systems, and was capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling. Because of the Viking's engines’ low-pitched sound, it was nicknamed the "Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.
The S-3 was retired from front-line fleet service aboard aircraft carriers by the US Navy in January 2009, with its missions being assumed by other platforms such as the P-3C Orion, Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk, and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Several aircraft were flown by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Thirty (VX-30) at Naval Base Ventura County / NAS Point Mugu, California for range clearance and surveillance operations on the NAVAIR Point Mugu Range until 2016, and one S-3 is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
Info: S-3B Viking "Santa Tracker", VS-35, USS Abraham Lincoln
Posted by E-TWO-C on 6th Feb 2017
Hobby Masters HA4904 S-3B Viking “Santa Tracker” is a reproduction of an actual paint scheme of VS-35 “Blue Wolves”. This Viking was the “CAG’s” aircraft during their 2002 cruise aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). This just goes to show that the members of our mighty military, our protectors of Freedom and Liberty do have a sense of humor…. either that, or they got coal, or clothes instead of toys for Christmas.
VS-35 was not the only squadron to plaster Santa across their Vikings nose. The S-3B Viking of VS-38 the “Fighting Red Griffins” while aboard the USS Constellation did the same, but not as colorful.
This is a nice satirical “nose art” variant from the normal gray livery of the current naval paint scheme. This model comes with (2) 300 Gallon Drop Tanks, (2) AGM-84 Harpoon Missiles, and what appears to be (2) D-704 Buddy Store refueling pods, all on their own hardpoints. The D-704 Buddy Stores have been around with both the US, and UK Military for years. Hobby Master did not list the D-704 with the “Armament” available with the S-3B. But, I have seen them used on KA-6D Tanker Prowlers as well as, sparingly, with the S-3B Vikings throughout their history. As far as the “CAG” having the wolf dressed like an Old West gunslinger wearing a holstered gun, it seems that most, if not all of the squadrons Vikings wore this “tail art”, it is just that the “CAGs” and “NAVY 1” were in full color, and the “CAGs” had a rainbow on the tip of the vertical stabilizer.
