Hobby Master 1/72 S-3 Viking Desert Storm

S-3 159765/Modex 705/AB was accepted by the USN on October 31, 1975 and was assigned to VS-31 "TopCats" on November 4, 1975. It wasn't until 1982 and a few reassignments before 159765 reached VS-32 "Maulers". In 1988 the aircraft was upgraded to an S-3B configuration and once again reassigned to VS-37 "Grim Dogs". Once again 159765 was assigned to VS-32 between 1990 and 1993. On February 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, 159765 destroyed an Iraqi patrol boat using three 500 pound Mk-82 bombs as well as inadvertently dropped a refueling pod. Lockheed S-3B Viking 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, surveilance and aerial refuelling missions before being retired from service in 2009. Features: 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. Includes: 1/72 S-3 Viking Desert Storm 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, with stand, with landing gear!