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Description
| Notes: Carrier based asw aircraft (4 CREW) . | |||
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed |
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| 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
| 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] |
| 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 @ 22:45 [ref: 19556] |
| Chuck Ledwith Seattle, WA | Hay, under operators, what evey happened to VS-28 from Cecil Field ?? Shouldn't they be listed too ?? I was attached to them in 9/81 thru 9/83 and the only ABH-2 in charge of the line night shift. Just seems like the squadron was forgotten about. It was the same way with CVW-6 detachment to Sigonella from Independence. 01/17/2008 @ 22:45 [ref: 19341] |
| Burt Ballard Gonzales, LA | VS-37 Sawbucks, Westpac 80 - 81 Danger Ranger, 83 CVN (nuke em till they glow) 65 Enterprise. I worked TAD to AIMD on the VAST test bench. Avionics repair. We worked our butts off keeping the bird farm flying, but we were really proud of what we did. I still keep in touch with some of the shipmates. I'll bet today I could still run that bench and probably even find my way to corr. control lab. I know for damn sure I'd be able to find the incinerators where we did burn runs. "sweepers sweepers man your brooms sweep down fore and aft, now sweepers". It's amazing how the things I remember were the good things, the people I worked with and friends I made, the pain in the ass stuff seems to fade from my memory. 12/21/2007 @ 09:02 [ref: 19002] |
| Steve Hecht , AZ | I was in VS-21 from 3/77 to about 6/78 when I crossed decked to VS-37 until 10/80. I reenlisted and went to the Kittyhawk. I have some pictures taken from the front seat on a landing which I will try to find and upload. The pictures are about 6 shots up until the plane grabbed the wire. 12/15/2007 @ 16:44 [ref: 18931] |
| Mike Bergman (AME2) Broken Arrow, OK | Just happend across this web site and noticed some fellow vs-21 shipmates. It made me think about the good ol days aboard the Enterprise. I was Stationed on North Island from 85 to 89. Spent almost a year in the Line Division before moving on to the AME shop. I believe I worked with Alan Kiester when in the Line shack. Glad to see your doing well. Any ol shipmates feel free to contact me at jberg0528@yahoo.com 12/14/2007 @ 19:13 [ref: 18921] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
