I loved working on the S-3A as an AT in VS-37. Reported for duty in 1976 and made one West-Pac on the Connie (78-79). Working on the S-3 was the foundation for my Airspace Career for the next 38 years. VS-37 deployed with the first US-3. We were able to get mail and supplies way out in the I.O.
Arthur E Bowen AXC, e-mail, 09.10.2016 20:19
I went to Lockheed Factory school in the fall of 1973 for all electronics aboard the new S-3A. Stationed at VS-41 North island. Was on the accepting team to recieve the first plane into the Navy in March of 1974. After retiring from service I was able to land a job with NAESU on north Island and was Electornics Field engineer. Even went to sea as a civilian,
Jim, e-mail, 23.03.2015 00:43
I have over 1800 flight hours as a Naval Air Crewman sensor operator (SENSO) and Naval Aviation Observer tactical control officer (TACCO) in this aircraft. A blast to fly in!
Gerald Lillie, e-mail, 23.01.2015 18:33
TO CHRIS STOCKTON; The other 2 positions were aft of the cockpit and were for 2 sensor operators, one on each side of the A/C.
Chris Stockton, e-mail, 20.10.2014 08:08
I know the viking has a crew of four.....but nowhere can I find exactly what the other 3 crew members duties besides the pilot. I hope you can help me out!
Grummancat, 07.05.2014 06:01
I used to dream about taking a small fleet of Vikings and converting them into commuter airliners for short hops up the Pacific coast.
JOHN SEARLES, e-mail, 18.09.2011 15:16
Worked as a Navy rigger on these babies. Carrying two chutes and seatpacks up to the flight deck was fun.
Mike (PRAN), e-mail, 24.07.2011 02:13
Also known as the "Hoover" becaise ot will suck a ramp clean. FOD was a big issue with this bird.
Ron Constable, e-mail, 22.12.2010 09:48
The original mission avionics system for this aircraft was totally new and quite advanced. Fully integrated, with five sensors: radar, forward looking infrared (FLIR), electronic support measures (very accurate radar warning type system), acoustics (using several types of passive and active sonobuoys deployed from 60+ tubes in the aft fuselage), and magnetic anomaly detector (MAD). All sensor data was integrated by a single main computer. Sensor data was presented to the crew on multipurpose CRT displays, vs the dedicated displays of earlier systems. Earlier acoustic systems had used electro-sensitive paper rolls for display of passive acoustic data. The aircraft could carry two torpedos, multiple conventional and nuclear depths bombs, and even 3.75 inch artillery rockets. All four crew had ejection seats, which were automatically sequenced to prevent them from colliding after ejection.
Vince, e-mail, 13.06.2008 16:40
affectionally known in naval aviation as "The Hoover" for the whoop whoop sound made by the engines spinning up on the flight deck sounded like a vacuum cleaner.