Lockheed S-3B Viking

USN VS-32 Maulers, AB705, USS America, Operation Desert Storm 1991

Hobby Master 1:72 HA4912

S-3 159765/Modex 705/AB was accepted by the USN on October 31, 1975 and was assigned to VS-31 "TopCats" on November 4, 1975. It wasn't until 1982 and a few reassignments before 159765 reached VS-32 "Maulers". In 1988 the aircraft was upgraded to an S-3B configuration and once again reassigned to VS-37 "Grim Dogs". Once again 159765 was assigned to VS-32 between 1990 and 1993. On February 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, 159765 destroyed an Iraqi patrol boat using three 500 pound Mk-82 bombs as well as inadvertently dropped a refueling pod.

Lockheed S-3B Viking

Designed to meet the US Navy's VSX requirement for an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft to replace the S-2 Tracker, the S-3 was first flown on January 21st, 1972. Designed for long-endurance missions, the aircraft features a wide low-swept wing and under-wing mounted, high-bypass turbofan engines that produce a distinctively low-pitch sound, earning the plane the nickname "Hoover" (after the vacuum cleaner). After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the ASW role became less significant and the S-3 was increasingly used for surface warfare, surveilance and aerial refuelling missions before being retired from service in 2009.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.