The Lockheed Orion came into existence in 1958 as the successor to the P-2V Neptune. Its main applications were long-range patrol flights over large sea areas and anti-submarine warfare. In addition to extensive electronic equipment, a special feature of the Orion is the long projecting MAD boom on the tail for tracking submerged submarines. Eight torpedoes or depth charges can be carried in a weapons bay in the fuselage. On 13th August 1962 the first P-3A Orions went into service with the US navy. The P-3C is the most numerous variant of the Orion, equipped with four Allison T-56-A-14 turboprops (4,910 shp each) enabling it to carry out very long patrol flights. The Orion can carry additional torpedoes, mines or Harpoon missiles on 10 external underwing weapons stations. In addition to the US navy numerous European countries use the Orion. The Dutch navy received its first three machines on 21st June 1981 and put them into service with 320 squadron in Valkenburg. In 2004 the Dutch decided to dispose of the Orion - the main interested party was the Federal German Navy who for a long time had been looking for a successor for the Breguet Atlantic for MFG 3 "Graf Zeppelin" in Nordholz. The German navy took over a total of 8 aircraft. In the summer of 2004 the training squadron began to familiarise themselves with them at Valkenburg. The first German Orions will officially go into service in mid 2006.
Drie uitvoeringen mogelijk;
- Lockheed P-3C Orion of MFG 3 - Marinefliegergeschwader 3 "Graf Zeppelin", Nordholz, Germany, 2006.
- Lockheed P-3C Orion of 320.Squadron (MARPAT) Royal Netherlands Navy, Valkenburg, Januar 2005.
- Lockheed P-3C Orion of US Navy VP-30 "Evaluator", NAS Jacksonville, Florida, July 2005.
Aantal onderdelen; 151.
Maten;
- Lang; 492 mm.
- Spanwijdte; 417 mm.
Model-details:
- fine surface detailing
- cockpit interior with seats and instrument panels and detailed landing gear.
- Propellers are designed to be able to rotate and separate panels are supplied for the sonar bouy ejector.
- Optional wing pylons
- open fuselage door and access ladder are supplied.
Revell verf kleur nr.'s; 36 / 76 / 91 / 301 / 302 / 371.
