NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The origins of the Lockheed S-3 Viking trace back to the late 1960's in response to a request by the U.S. Navy for a carrier borne aircraft to counter the threat from the latest deep diving nuclear powered submarines of the Soviet Union.
Lockheed, with help from Vought Aeronautics, answered the request by producing the S-3 Viking, one of the most versatile U.S. Navy aircraft of all time. It was primarily a carrier borne aircraft, capable of operating 24 hours a day,
even in conditions of poor visibility.
The Viking's most recent versions specialized in anti-surface vessel missions, and acted as in-air fuel replenishment aircraft. Other missions included attack, mine laying, over the horizon targeting, ASW, ECM, surveillance, command and control, and SAR.
Innovations of the Viking included the ability to retract its refueling probe, magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) boom, and various sensor antennas. These provided an aerodynamically cleaner design, allowing greater speed and range. The most up to date
avionics available at the time were fitted to the aircraft enabling enhanced sonar buoy deployment and control.
The Viking received major upgrades in the mid 1980's including the ability to carry Harpoon anti shipping missiles, stand-off land attack missiles, smart and conventional bombs. A high speed computer system enabled the display of information gathered by targeting sensor systems.
In 1990, during the Persian Gulf War, S-3 Viking aircraft went up against Iraqi sites which were firing missiles at Israel. Again in 2003, S-3 Viking aircraft saw action over Iraq, this time using laser guided missiles to attack inland targets.
The Lockheed S-3 Viking was the aircraft that transported then U.S. President George W. Bush to and from the aircraft carrier from which he delivered the “mission accomplished” speech.
The last Viking aircraft were retired from active service in September of 2008. Most recently three of the aircraft have been reactivated to perform airborne range surveillance duties.
A total of 187 S-3 Viking aircraft of all types were produced.
There is a rc S-3 Viking ARF for sale on eBay. Its a foamy with a wingspan of 38 1/2"
and a length of 34". Included are Speed 400 type motors driving EDF units.
In the picture immediately above is the scratch built rc S-3 Viking by Kudi of RC Groups. Wing span is 53" and construction is all wood. Power comes from Speed 480 motors turning WeMoTec fans.
The first picture below is of Dave Lilly and his S-3 Viking built from a kit for sale by EAM. It has a wingspan of 32 1/2" with a length of 25 1/2" and a weight of about 13 oz. Power is by KP 440 EDF units.
The second picture below is of the rc S-3 Viking ARF foamy for sale by Wattage. Wingspan is 38" and length is 31". Speed 400 type motors drive mini fans for power.
Hobby Hangar has a rc S-3 Viking short kit for sale. It has a wingspan of 60". It can be powered by mini electric ducted fan units.
The bottom picture is of the S-3 Viking scale model rc airplane for sale by Transcend, China. It has a wingspan of 68", a length of 49 1/2" and uses EDF power. All up weight is about 8 3/4 lbs.
Email us if you know of any other rc S-3 Viking models that should be included on this page.
Radio Control Airplane
Dave Lilly and his rc S-3 Viking.
Radio Control Airplane
The rc S-3 Viking for sale by Wattage.
Radio Control Airplane
A rc S-3 Viking from a Hobby Hangar kit.
Radio Control Airplane
The rc S-3 Viking EDF for sale by Transcend.
Ductedfann posted to RC Groups about S-3 Viking rc airplanes for sale at his website,
but we haven't been able to find any there.
There is a video on You Tube posted by Scott Ritlig of a rc giant scale S-3 Viking. The only specifications given were a wingspan of 84" and a length of 70".
Rattlecat of Watt Flyer mentions the rc S-3 Viking in one of his posts.
At Watt Flyer ebreedn mentions a rc S-3 Viking.
At Watt Flyer gio was looking for a rc S-3 Viking.
At Watt Flyer change up had a rc S-3 Viking for sale.
NIEDM of RC Universe mentions a nickname for the S-3 Viking in one of his postings.
JC of RC Universe mentions the S-3 Viking in one of his posts.
At RC Universe expat flyer talks about rc S-3 Viking plans in the March 2004 issue of MRA magazine.
At the RC Zone MPFC fan mentions a rc S-3 Viking.
At Watt Flyer radio 56 started a thread about putting more powerful motors in his S-3 Viking scale model rc airplane.
Pgear99 of Watt Flyer started a thread about the rc S-3 Viking.
At Watt Flyer ultimate bipe lover mentions GWS brushless motors for a rc S-3 Viking.
Rich The Bike Rider at Watt Flyer posted to a thread about the Lockheed S-3 Viking.
Chris K of Watt Flyer posted about the S-3 Viking.
Lockheed S-3 Viking
