[sukhoi-30mki]

[BwanaNdege]

Good post. Good bird.

Ahhhh, but the P2V Neptune..... Now THAT was an ASW patrol plane!

[Vroomfondel]

ping

[Rummyfan]

Just watched one take-off and do a couple touch-and-gos this morning. Beautiful bird in the air with a great range, long flight time, and adaptability.

[null and void]

When as they come up with a better replacement for the P-3, the P-3 is toast.

This is not apt to happen any time soon.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Well I live on flight path over NAS Jacksonville...and I don’t know which number of Orion the Navy flies out of there, but I sure enjoy watching them. I guess it’s kind of the trhow back to another era.
Freegards,
Lex

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Before the Navy left Moffett Field (Mountain View, CA), squadrons of P-3Bs would take off and fly right over our house on their way to ASW duty in the Pacific. The whole house would shake, vibrate and buzz. Maintenance on the planes would require they sit on the runway with engines at full throttle for what seemed like hours on end, blanketing the entire south bay in noise.

Great bird, but it is nice not having to listen to them anymore.

[MichaelP]

They are a very capable aircraft. They do their many jobs exceptionally well. Just because something is old doesn't means you should spend billions of dollars replacing it with something that may not be any better. The money would be better spent on more F22s or tanker aircraft...

Mike

[magslinger]

SONOBUOY PING!

Click on pic for past Navair pings.

Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.

[Enchante]

well I suppose we are lucky not to be flying 1940s era flying boats, but still, geesh, can't we get something newer and better for our guys doing ASW patrols????

at least we don't make them fly in these:

PBY Catalina

Spruce Goose

I know, the "Spruce Goose" was ginormous, and not remotely intended for ASW or patrol work, but I liked the photo!

[Drago]

We apparently needed the West coast/Whidbey P-3 squadrons airborne on Monday at about 5pm near L.A.... WARNING: donning of Reynolds Wrap may be in order before clicking the link:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2625337/posts