Hobby Master 1/72 S-3B Viking "Operation Eduring Freedom" 160155 VS-33 "Screwbirds" USS Stennis 2001 Diecast Model Aircraft

In 1974 the Lockheed S-3 Viking entered service with the USN as a twin-engine jet aircraft used for enemy submarine warfare. By the late 1990’s the role shifted to surface warfare providing the carrier battle group with long range surveillance capabilities and aerial refueling. The S-3 was in production from 1974 until 1978 with 186 (187) aircraft completed. Most airframes saw upgrades to the S-3B and sixteen became ES-3A “Shadow” electronic intelligence collection aircraft. The low pitch sound of the engines earned the S-3 the nickname “Hoover” after the vacuum cleaner.

S-3A 160155 c/n 394A-1137 joined the USN on September 25, 1976 with VS-30 “Diamond Cutters” until 1983. In 1990 the aircraft was upgraded to an S-3B and in 2000 was assigned to VS-33. The “Screwbirds” transitioned to the S-3B in 1991 and 1993 they became a “Sea Control Squadron” reflecting the multi-role mission of this new aircraft. The actual full name of VS-33 is “World Famous and Internationally Traveled Screwbirds”. From November 12 2001 until May 28, 2002 VS-33 was onboard USS Stennis flying in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom”.