Airplane Model*Hobby Master HA4902 1:72 S-3A Viking “Hukkers” – Miniature Marvels: Airplane Models & Painted Dice

Hobby Master HA4902 1:72 Lockheed S-3A Viking BuNo 159741, VS-28 “Hukkers” USS Forrestal, US Navy.

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

VS-28 Gamblers was commissioned in 1960 at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The VS-28mission is to locate and counter enemy submarine threats. In January 1974 they moved toNAS, Cecil Field, Florida. After deployments aboard the USS Saratoga and USS Independence,VS-28 began the first of 4 cruises on USS Forrestal in 1986 that lasted until April, 1990. VS-28gained the nickname Hukkers, a derivative of Hunter/Killers. Story has it that Hunter Killer beltbuckles were ordered but arrived spelled HUKKERS. VS-28 was deactivated October 1, 1992.