O
opentrackerSteve
Guest
Today, the second S-3 that VX-30 is receiving arrived and I happened to be there. Nasa at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH also is operating the S-3. They are no longer in active service with the Navy.
Here is the pending press release on the paint scheme.
Here are some details on this particular scheme (excerpt from expected press release):
The recent depot maintenance and painting was done by the maintenance professionals at the Fleet Readiness Center South East in Jacksonville, FL. Many commands throughout Naval Aviation are picking historical paint schemes that represent different time periods or specific battles in our history. The one VX-30 chose is representative of the Battle of Midway in the Pacific during WWII. The S-3 traces its roots back to the Torpedo Bomber squadrons that performed valiantly and sacrificed so greatly at Midway. The Commanding Officer of VX-30 stated, "This paint scheme is a great way to celebrate 100 years of Naval Aviation. The Battle of Midway was one of the most important battles in our history and a turning point in the battle of the Pacific. It was the first naval engagement fought entirely with aircraft and is symbolic of the tenacity, flexibility, and sacrifice that Naval Aviation embodies. "
The S-3 Viking was extremely valuable to the Navy as a Sea Control aircraft. Although it started out in the 1970's as an Anti-submarine Warfare aircraft it proved extremely flexible being able to conduct many and various missions. The S-3A was upgraded in the 1980's to the S-3B and then demonstrated the ability to conduct Surface Warfare, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and In-Flight Refueling throughout the 1990's into the 21st century. It is capable of carrying standard Mk-80 series bombs, anti-surface missiles, mines, torpedoes, and sonobuoys. VX-30 is currently utilizing the Viking for Test Range Surveillance and Clearance ensuring safe and efficient completion of test events in support of our nation's defense.
The VS fleet squadrons trace their history to the Torpedo Bomber Squadrons of World War Two. These squadrons were extremely important in the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway took place 3-6 June 1942 and was one of the most important battles in naval history. The attack at Pearl Harbor decimated the traditional battleship fleet of the U.S. leaving aircraft carriers as the main force to conduct the Pacific campaign. After the Doolittle raid and Battle of Coral Sea, Japanese commanders intended to destroy the US carrier fleet by drawing them into battle around Midway Island. If the U.S. carrier force were defeated, the Japanese would be able to operate unchecked in the Pacific theatre. Due to the heroism of the aircrew and aircraft at Midway the Japanese carrier fleet was thwarted and the tide of the war in the Pacific began to turn in America's direction.
VX-30's Bloodhound 701 aircraft is painted in the scheme naval aircraft were painted during the battle of Midway. There is a camouflage of blue gray over light gull gray that was representative of naval aircraft during the early period of WWII into 1943. The designation 30-X-1 on the fuselage is the markings of the time period identifying specific aircraft by Squadron number (30) - squadron mission (Experimental) - and the specific aircraft designation (701 is "1").
Here is an article from Jax where it was done.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-11-05/story/s-3-jet-tapped-wear-wwii-paint-scheme-navy-aviation-anniversary
Here is the pending press release on the paint scheme.
Here are some details on this particular scheme (excerpt from expected press release):
The recent depot maintenance and painting was done by the maintenance professionals at the Fleet Readiness Center South East in Jacksonville, FL. Many commands throughout Naval Aviation are picking historical paint schemes that represent different time periods or specific battles in our history. The one VX-30 chose is representative of the Battle of Midway in the Pacific during WWII. The S-3 traces its roots back to the Torpedo Bomber squadrons that performed valiantly and sacrificed so greatly at Midway. The Commanding Officer of VX-30 stated, "This paint scheme is a great way to celebrate 100 years of Naval Aviation. The Battle of Midway was one of the most important battles in our history and a turning point in the battle of the Pacific. It was the first naval engagement fought entirely with aircraft and is symbolic of the tenacity, flexibility, and sacrifice that Naval Aviation embodies. "
The S-3 Viking was extremely valuable to the Navy as a Sea Control aircraft. Although it started out in the 1970's as an Anti-submarine Warfare aircraft it proved extremely flexible being able to conduct many and various missions. The S-3A was upgraded in the 1980's to the S-3B and then demonstrated the ability to conduct Surface Warfare, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and In-Flight Refueling throughout the 1990's into the 21st century. It is capable of carrying standard Mk-80 series bombs, anti-surface missiles, mines, torpedoes, and sonobuoys. VX-30 is currently utilizing the Viking for Test Range Surveillance and Clearance ensuring safe and efficient completion of test events in support of our nation's defense.
The VS fleet squadrons trace their history to the Torpedo Bomber Squadrons of World War Two. These squadrons were extremely important in the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway took place 3-6 June 1942 and was one of the most important battles in naval history. The attack at Pearl Harbor decimated the traditional battleship fleet of the U.S. leaving aircraft carriers as the main force to conduct the Pacific campaign. After the Doolittle raid and Battle of Coral Sea, Japanese commanders intended to destroy the US carrier fleet by drawing them into battle around Midway Island. If the U.S. carrier force were defeated, the Japanese would be able to operate unchecked in the Pacific theatre. Due to the heroism of the aircrew and aircraft at Midway the Japanese carrier fleet was thwarted and the tide of the war in the Pacific began to turn in America's direction.
VX-30's Bloodhound 701 aircraft is painted in the scheme naval aircraft were painted during the battle of Midway. There is a camouflage of blue gray over light gull gray that was representative of naval aircraft during the early period of WWII into 1943. The designation 30-X-1 on the fuselage is the markings of the time period identifying specific aircraft by Squadron number (30) - squadron mission (Experimental) - and the specific aircraft designation (701 is "1").
Here is an article from Jax where it was done.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-11-05/story/s-3-jet-tapped-wear-wwii-paint-scheme-navy-aviation-anniversary