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Description
| Notes: Carrier based asw aircraft (4 CREW) . | |||
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed |
| |
| Base model: | S-3 | ||
| Designation: | S-3 | ||
| Version: | A | ||
| Nickname: | Viking | ||
| Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service | ||
| Designation Period: | 1962-Present | ||
| Basic role: | Anti-Submarine | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 53' 4" | 16.2 m | |
| Height: | 22' 9" | 6.9 m | |
| Wingspan: | 68' 8" | 20.9 m | |
| Wingarea: | 598.0 sq ft | 55.5 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 26,554 lb | 12,042 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 43,491 lb | 19,723 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 52,539 lb | 23,827 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | General Electric TF34-GE-2 | ||
| Thrust (each): | 9,275 lb | 4,206 kg | |
Performance
| Cruise Speed: | 403 mph | 648 km/h | 350 kt |
| Max Speed: | 506 mph | 814 km/h | 440 kt |
| Climb: | 3,937 ft/min | 1,199 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 35,000 ft | 10,667 m | |
Operators (Past and Present)
| USN | VS-4 | North Island | CA |
| USN | VS-24 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VS-27 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VS-29 | NAS North Island | NH |
| USN | VS-32 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VS-35 | NAS North Island | CA |
| USN | VS-37 | North Island | CA |
| USN | VS-38 | NAS North Island | CA |
| USN | VX-1 | Patuxent River | MD |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| NAS Cecil Field | Cecil Field | Florida |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Ramond Hargrove Dallas, TX | I worked for Vought Aircraft in Dallas in 1975. We built most of the S-3A control surfaces, landing gear, and engines. We built one aircraft for NASA with a fixed gear. We did a cost study and bid to add 2 Sparrows on each side, outside the drop tanks. Does anyone know if they every went on line. 01/30/2010 @ 14:10 [ref: 25655] |
| Mike , CA | How interesting! I worked at Lockheed in the mid-60's. My job did not include me stumbling across "interesting" aircraft. One night, while performing my duties, I opened a door, and there was one of the most magnificient aircarft I had ever seen. It was a 'mock-up" of an S3A. Now, I wonder why it was a "mock-up". It had already been released. Hmmmmmm....... and why was that door not locked ????? Kelly??? Any one have any comments ?? 02/23/2009 @ 17:17 [ref: 23799] |
| Bill Rains , IN | Loved the Viking!!!! Worked on them for 3 years at NAS Pax River!! Air Test and Evaluation Sq 1. Theres no sound like a Hoover!!! Great airplane!!! 02/15/2009 @ 18:01 [ref: 23734] |
| C. David Hopkins El Dorado, KS | I was attached to VS-21 as an ADR-2 at NAS North Island from 1969 to 1970, at that time we were flying the S2E type aircraft. I was transferred to VT-29 at NAS Cropus Christi Tx and left there in 1972 and attended ADJ-B school and from there attended the S3A factory school and brought the S3A out of the factory. I then helped write the personnel qualification standards for the engine and related systemns. From the factory school I returned to VS-21 at North Island and was assigned as temporary duty to VS-41 to help train the ADJ mechanics going to the various squadrons. I left VS-21 on 4 Oct 1974 and was out 13 years and returned to the OK Air National Guard in June 1986 and will retire with 28 years of service on 22 Feb 2009. 12/02/2008 @ 10:13 [ref: 23174] |
| Tammi Jean - tango juliet Boerne, TX | I was an Air Traffic Controller stationed at OLF Whitehouse Tower 1974 to June 1976. I will never forget the first time the S3s came out for FCLP replacing the S2s. The sound change alone was dramatic.
Since the base closed I wish I would have bought a patch or sweatshirt or something from the commisary. Thank you all for serving our country in the air. 09/13/2008 @ 13:06 [ref: 22679] |
| Carl Wayne King, ADJC, Ret , CA | Received orders to VS-41 in 1973. VS-41 was just getting rid of the last of their S2Fs. I was Power Plants Chief when we got our first P3A and was rather lost in this enviornment. I had received no S3 training and had never been around the VS community. I was a flight Engineer in much heavier stuff. However, as P/P Chief, I would direct traffic as it is the same most everywhere. I was converted to ADJC from ADRC with the stroke of pen. I stayed with Power Plants several months and moved to Maint Control, Now there is where you really direct traffic. I never was able to endear myself to the S3 which probably prompted my retirement prior to reaching my goal of 30 years. Getting into this program at the start probably would have had quite an influence on the reat of my Naval career had I stayed any longer. I would have been stuck with the S3. At my retirement, lockheed presented me with the standard memos including a model of the S3. It sets in the back of my model C-121, P2V, and P3A. No fond memories of the S3. This is the first time I have ever written a negative article about any aircraft or duty station as I had a wonderful career around wonderful people, I have compiled a book full of wonder sea stories such as Dinner With The King Of Thailand (Siam), OOD Aboard A Submarine, A Royal Send-Off for The Australians and many more. 07/03/2008 @ 02:21 [ref: 21749] |
| William \"Frog\" Kissinger Montgomery, AL | Spent the majority of my enlistment attached to VS-41 staff in the AE Shop 82-85. The S-3 was quite a bird and I am sorry to see it gone.
...back in the day. 04/12/2008 @ 14:45 [ref: 20488] |
| MICHAEL PFEIFER MILWAUKEE, WI | I WAS AN AT WITH VS-22 FROM 74-77. WE WERE THE FIRST EAST COAST SQUADRON TO DEPLOY WITH THE S-3A. WE WERE FRESHMEN ON THIS BIRD. WE HAD TO RE-WRITE MANUALS, MODIFY THE ECS TO KEEP THE EQUIPMENT COOL WITHOUT FREEZING THE PILOTS AND FIND NEW WAYS TO FIX CONNECTORS WITH 9 (OR SO) BOXES OF CONNECTOR REPAIR TOOLS. IT WAS FUN TAKING ALL THAT TEST EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS ON A CRUISE. I LEARNED ALOT WORKING ON THAT BIRD. THOSE WERE THE DAYS. 04/05/2008 @ 16:51 [ref: 20345] |
| TY D. GROSE Warren, MI | I was an anti-submarine warfare technician for VS-29 and VS-41. Stationed on North Island from around 83 until 89. At times, I sure miss the memories I have of the training command and under way on the maiden voiage of the USS Carl Vinson. If anyone from VS-29 or VS-41 during the time frame above wants to chat about the past get a hold of me. I did not realizes the bird was decommisioned. It's indeed a sad day. 03/09/2008 @ 10:02 [ref: 19936] |
| Lee Barron Lancaster, CA | I remember the day I was told I was told I would be repairing Hoover Vac's for the next 3 years right out of school. I arrived at NAS North Island and attended additional training thru the rag outfit VS-41. Never really saw the S-3A up close except for flying over Coronado Beach. Next I found out I was assigned to the Screw Birds VS-33. I was glad the Navy had a since of Humor, I was Screwed and had to work on Hoovers. Well all I can tell everyone out there, if you were not part of the Screw Birds from 80 - 83, then you really missed out. The S-3's job was to find those critters hiding under the Blue Ocean Carpet and it did so with Greatness and Ease. As far as our Squadron, We made every Mission and filled in for to escorts a few Bears when others were unable. The High Light for our cruise on the America, was when Riddleshimmer out banked an F-14 from the Ranger, locked its Harpoons and Shot it Down. Now that must have really Sucked having to return with that on everyone’s screen. I am surprised of the decommissioning of the S-3's. The Viking was truly an Aircraft everyone got there moneys worth out of, it is a Great Aircraft that many will miss. As far as VS-33, the Screw Birds - I miss you all and would Love to hear from you. 02/04/2008 @ 22:46 [ref: 19557] |
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