Few of you may realize that in addition to the loss of the Tomcat, the S-3 Viking is also near gone, this time with no replacement in sight. For decades the S-3 was the fleet ASW protector against Soviet submarines. They had the ability to stay on station for a long time as well as an extensive suite of sonobouys and lethal ordnance. With the break-up of the Soviet Union, that ASW job went away as it was felt that land based ASW and small-boy helos could do the same job. Then the S-3 moved to tanking as the Navy, in its wisdom, retired the A-6 a bit early to save money and lost its KA-6D tanker fleet. Again, the thought was that the USAF could handle any long range tanking missions. Well, now that option is gone and so another mission disappears along with the aircraft.

This sheet covers the commemorative markings worn by a VS-33 S-3B. The aircraft is in overall FS 36320 with the upper portion in black and divided by a red flash. This flash is reproduced on the instruction sheet in 1/48 scale so it can be duplicated for a mask when it comes time to paint the upper colors. A full set of data markings are provided and in this case, it seems the intake warning stripes do not wrap into the intake as is (or was) the norm. A fine sheet for one of the last of its kind.

March 2007