1/72 S-3A Viking 160138 VS-24 "Scouts" 1978

Hobby Master 1/72 S-3A Viking VS-24 Scouts 1978

VS-24 can trace their beginning back to January 1, 1943 as VB-17. Over time they were VA-5B, VA-64, VC-24 and finally VS-24 "Scouts" on May 25, 1960. In mid-1976 VS-24 transitioned from the S-2 Tracker to the modern S-3A Viking. Since receiving the S-3A VS-24 has operated off the USS Nimitz, Carl Vinson, John F. Kennedy, Enterprise and Theodore Roosevelt. S-3As were converted to S-3Bs from 1987 - 1994 and S-3A 160138 MSN 394A-3120 was one. S-3B 160138 went to AMARC in 2005 and VS-24 was decommissioned in 2007.

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, surveillance and aerial refueling missions before being retired from service in 2009.

Features:
- Scale 1:72
- Length: 9" width: 11.5"
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight"
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads