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Thumbnail Filmstrip of S-3A Viking USN VS-24 "Scouts", 1978 HA4906 Images
Lockheed S-3A Viking Diecast Model
USN VS-24 160138, 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.
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 low pitch sound of the engines earned the S-3 the nickname “Hoover” after the vacuum cleaner.