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Lockheed S-3b Viking

34.5k GhostHTX  6.6 years ago

Here is a type that I have always had a soft spot for - not the fastest, not the prettiest, not the most agile, but most definitely one of the most useful kites the US Navy has (well, had, since they were retired in 2009).

From our "friends" at Wikipedia;

The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify and track enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group. A carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, multi-mission aircraft with long range; it carried automated weapon systems, and was capable of extended missions with in-flight refueling. Because of the Viking's engines' low-pitched sound, it was nicknamed the "Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.

The S-3 was retired from front-line fleet service aboard aircraft carriers by the US Navy in January 2009, with its missions being assumed by other platforms such as the P-3C Orion, Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk, and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Several aircraft were flown by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Thirty (VX-30) at Naval Base Ventura County / NAS Point Mugu, California for range clearance and surveillance operations[2] on the NAVAIR Point Mugu Range until 2016, and one S-3 is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the NASA Glenn Research Center.

So, not British, no British involvement what so ever, and not a roundel or fin flash in sight... Oh dear...

So - the controls;

AG1 + vtol down - opens weapons bays

AG2 - release inner internal stores

AG3 - release outer internal stores

AG4 - release under wing stores

AG5 - Turn on lights and "hands off" autopilot. This "autopilot" will make those long patrol flights more bearable - just set the desired heading, turn on AG5 and go make yourself a cup of tea. The autopilot will keep her stable for you.

AG6 + vtol down - flaps. Yes, proper, actual flaps that generate extra lift. Use 1/4 vtol down (1/2 flaps) for take off and full flaps for landing.

AG7 + vtol down - deploy arrestor hook

AG8 + vtol down - wing and tail fin fold. Please fold these. As much as you possibly can at every opportunity. Not in flight, of course, but I am very VERY happy that I managed the asymmetric wing fold without affecting flight stability. So please fold, unfold and fold again, as much as you damn well please. Also remember to deactivate AG8 before commencing take off procedures.

Here, she is armed with 4 mk 46 air launch torpedoes (really just the standard torps painted blue...) and two braces of three (so six, then) AGM-114 Hellfire look-a-likes...

Enjoy!

Spotlights

General Characteristics

  • Successors 2 airplane(s)
  • Created On iOS
  • Wingspan 68.5ft (20.9m)
  • Length 54.8ft (16.7m)
  • Height 22.7ft (6.9m)
  • Empty Weight 28,664lbs (13,001kg)
  • Loaded Weight 46,930lbs (21,287kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 1.005
  • Wing Loading 39.2lbs/ft2 (191.3kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 1,198.1ft2 (111.3m2)
  • Drag Points 18004

Parts

  • Number of Parts 244
  • Control Surfaces 7
  • Performance Cost 1,104
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  • Profile image
    34.5k GhostHTX

    Yay! Asymmetric folding wings for all! @Tang0five

    6.6 years ago
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    52.5k Tang0five

    Asymmetric folding wings are worth the attention themselves! Bravo!

    6.6 years ago
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    @GhostHTX I usually leave control surfaces behind the fuselage cover, which so thin that the transition looks somewhat smooth. Alternative are control surfaces on rotators. And yes, keyboard input instantly gives 100% output (deflects control surface to its max angle). That causes anything that uses stock elevators to wobble on pitch input.

    6.6 years ago
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    34.5k GhostHTX
    1. Is there another way to do "smooth" wings? I cant think of a way to lay fuselage blocks over the wing without having the control surfaces pop through. Doesnt really bother me, but I can see how others could might not like it?
    2. The pitch is fine for me. If you yank on the stick then she will shake and rattle. I guess if you fly with a keyboard this might be the case? If youre smooth on the controls she flies fairly well (for me). She is by no means a fighter, either. So changes in attitude and direction take a while... FYI Im doing this on an iPhone6.

    Thanks for the feedback! @EternalDarkness

    6.6 years ago
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    No problem. Just one question. Why did you leave control surfaces inside the wings? Seeing them glitch through the fuselage pieces kills the joy. Also, pitch is terrible. Whenever you can, use custom elevators. Stock control surfaces are too fast, causing shaking along the longitudinal axis.

    6.6 years ago
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    34.5k GhostHTX

    @Sgtk
    @EternalDarkness
    Many thanks, gents. The user manual will be up shortly.

    6.6 years ago