In the mid 1950's the United States Navy requested bids for a anti-submarine warfare aircraft
with the ability have extended loiter time as a replacement for their twin engine aircraft. Lockheed
answered the request with the P-3 Orion, developed from their L-188 airliner.
The Lockheed P-3 Orion first flew in late 1959. With its stinger tail, the aircraft is about twelve
feet longer than the L-188. In addition, the aircraft has provisions for carrying weapons.
The aircraft carry a magnetic anomaly detection radar in their stinger tail. They are armed with
anti-submarine sonar buoys, Harpoon missiles, mines, depth charges, and
torpedoes. Their roles have expanded to include over-land surveillance. For
these missions the aircraft can use special imaging radars, electro-optical cameras and infrared sensors.
Lockheed P-3 Orion missions have included Cuba, Vietnam, Liberia, Somalia, Mogadishu, Rwanda and Afghanistan. They
flew over 1,200 missions during Desert Storm. The aircraft have also been employed in support of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
In 2010 a specially equipped P-3 Orion was deployed over Iraq. Its mission was the detection of IEDs (improvised explosive
devices) that could impede the withdrawal of American troops from the country.
Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft have been exported to numerous U.S. Allies around the world.
Now a popular air tanker, when equipped with a 3,000 gallon retardant tank in its belly, the Lockheed P-3 Orion
remains the U. S. Navy's only land based anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
A total of 754 Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft were built between 1961 and 1990.
Richard Vale's P-3 Orion rc airplane
Richard Vale
scratch built the rc P-3 Orion pictured above and in the first picture
below. Wingspan is 78" and length is 84". Richard uses four GWS 350 motors for power. It weighs 7 lbs.
James Driscoll (jgdriscoll@comcast.net)
tells us he has blueprints that can help build a rc P-3 Orion. Please
contact him directly. Thank you for the offer, James.
Eddie P of RC Groups scratch built the rc Lockheed P-3 Orion in the next two pictures below.
Wingspan is 46 1/2" and length is 52 3/4". Powering the rc airplane are 4 x
Speed 300 motors. Weight is about 41 oz.
We received the following email: "I've been wanting to build a rc P-3 Orion and would like to know if you could help me by sending a
blueprint or any other type of help you could think of. I would also like to know who sells a ready starfoam model.
Sincerely, Prosperino - sayao@tutopia.com.br"
If anyone out there can help, please reply directly.
Please email us if you have built a rc P-3 Orion model radio control airplane or if you can recommend one.
Lockheed P-3 Orion
