The Lockheed P-3 Orion

[@patrickmitchell-jc2kk]

Was a radio operator in the first of 2 EP-3B Orion's in VQ-1 in 1969. Have pictures of my aircraft PR32 on the wall of my home. Great article. Thanks.

[@joebarber4030]

AME C school training with VP-31in 1973. Was with VP-1 at Barbers point 73-74 Best times 👍

[@pauldormont4470]

Feeling just a little nostalgic tonight as I prepare to travel to NAF Washington, D.C. to attend the retirement of AECS Jim Duncan. Started there at MMF LP3DC in 1987 working on P-3Bs and transitioned all the way to P-3CUD IVs. Miss the camaraderie and the planes.

[@Gwedd]

As a former AW w/5000 hours in P-3's (P-3b & P-3cUII), I agree with the comments below that the P-8 is a waste of effort and treasure that our Navy can ill afford. The Navy should have had LockMart keep the P-3 line open and bought new builds with updated electronics and sensors. If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it, and the P-3 isn't broke at all.

[@jonyboy1131]

Nice video, I was in VP-17 in the late 80's, lots of memories in that video!!! Happy Hunting!!

[@pbrstreetgang5314]

My dad was a crew member on P3s out of Moffet Field Ca in the early 80s. He had grave concerns regarding the quality of training the new pilots were getting. When he got sick and was grounded my dad decided to retire since he had 25years in the Navy. Three weeks later two P3s collided over the pacific killing all aboard both planes.

[@turbo-bike7999]

That’s Mighty P3 Orion! Thank you very much.

[@PfcMW]

My dad flew the Papa-3s for 20 years. God bless this aircraft for keeping him and his crew safe. Sad to see it go.

[@1220Bman]

Here in Jacksonville, FL, we still have an actively used Orion currently at NAS Jax.

[@Queenman1]

I was a flight engineer in VP-26 stationed in Brunswick, Maine. These planes are awesome...I do not not think the P-8 will even come close to their performance! Certainly they will not have "time on station' the the P-3's could achieve. And what about the weapon load?? P-3's had a wide variety of weapons to take to the enemy. When I was first in, we had Bullpup missles...scared the hell out of the right seater when they went off! I saw the hell with the P-8...Orions rule!

[@jcphenry]

What a great plane, powerful, capable, durable. VP23, flew in these all over the globe.

[@pvp64]

Great Job! I retired from VP-64 in 2007, they have switched over to C-130 aircraft and have become VR-64. The Condor flys on!

[@Dollashlong]

My father was a member of various P3 crews in his Navy career...VP4, VP8 and VP11. Thanks for posting.

[@danielkennedy1524]

A Super aircraft! The dark gray and top whites in the 60s would fly right over our home heading to Glenview NAS!

[@53bigmikejones]

Brings back lots of old memories. Flew with VP-50 and 47 when they were deployed on Adak Alaska a life time ago. Awesome Aircraft and crews.

[@meoddball]

I flew from Adak Alaska to Barber's Point Hawaii on the P-3 while taking some leave. Very nice flight!

[@davecsullivanjr]

The P-8A is going to have a tough time living up to the P-3. Great vid.

[@guybachelor7490]

Darn right. We flew on the deck and were extremely aggressive. I flew Jezebel and radar.

[@stevetadlock5223]

P-8 is an airliner without SAT support!

[@pilot4prophet]

I really like this aircraft. I got to hitcha ride on one from Hickum field out to Midway. Also got to se them drop torpedoes during ASW exercises off the Hawiian Islands. I was onboard the USS Cushing DD-985 at the time. Very cool airplane.

[@t1mmytee]

THANKS FOR POSTING!!!! I worked on P-3s for almost 4 years in the early 1970s, and the Rolling Stones were the kings of Rock 'n' Roll then, too! This tune reminds me SO MUCH of my Navy days in Key West!

[@stinkingdog101]

VP-9 '75 -'78 Moffett Field , Ca. Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for the video.

[@nebbia1521]

I grew up about 3 miles from Nas Moffat Feild. Every time I go back to Sunnyvale something seems missing , its the P3's .

[@cjharris6439]

Was stationed at moffett field calif from 78 to 85 vp- 40 fighting marlins power plants both o and I level maintenance p-3 is by far the best and baddest aircraft in the navy, thanks for sharing video brought back many fine memory's for me.

[@Cise82]

awesome video & thanks for sharing! I am currently a sheet metal mechanic on the P-3 line at FRCSE on Nas Jax. The P-3 is a badass aircraft. Any aircraft that can be in service for 50 plus years and still be running strong demands respect!

[@garybridgham]

Really enjoyed your production. I didn't even think once to myself "How much more is there of this?" Very Good. I remember P-3s from my time stationed in Mayport,FL with the Coast Guard.

[@modeerF16]

The Orion was first designated as P3V-1. In 1962, an Orion was flown to NAS North Island and parked on the VP-46 flight line. I went aboard...WOW, what a differnce between that and our P5M-1S Marlin seaplanes. VP-46 was the first patrol squadron to transition to the Orion on the West coast. The squadron moved to NAS Moffett Field circa 1963 and is now based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. VP-46 is the oldest patrol squadron in the Navy..."The oldest and the best".

[@twoolverton]

great vid. this from a retired AW with 18 years and 50,ooo plus hours in bravos and charlies

[@whasagoodun]

Good job. Great song, too. Glad to see you got it back! Former VP-46 at Moffett Field 78-82. Still miss those days. Plenty of times that plane got us home when others wouldn't have. Thanks again, good tribute.

[@stevetadlock5223]

You must have known John Wells, He was in my IFT class and roommate

[@coo1aid]

The P-8 is an amazing plane we have 2 of them at our base and getting a third shortly... The P-8 is absolutly huge!

[@2003ranp]

I sure miss the beast. Lots of good times all over the world.

[@keith558]

Great Video - I cut my teeth on this A/C and engines - flew center seat and was a flight line mechanic with VP-9 (1975-1979). Now I work on the P-8 Poseidon engines (CFM56-7B). Poetic justice!

[@dianasilva9463]

I love these , I use to work on them back in the late 70's early 80 when employed with Lockheed. Really enjoyed the video brought back some great memories.

[@gawfer]

'79-'82, CFAO AIMD Powerplants, then attached to VP-91 '82-'85, Second Mech Aircrew. Never thought I'd miss this plane...

[@Fania54]

Excellent tribute to a great aircraft.

[@flighsimer]

yup no problem... im thinking about trying to fly the p-8 when it comes online, so that way i could go straight into commercial upon retiring... my brother works with Vp-45, the pelicans, in Jax...

[@mikekutz5776]

Hey, this, was very, very good. Thank You.

[@tomgreer604]

VP-46, Moffett Field 69-72; covered WESPAC on 3 tours. What an amazing plane. We never aborted due to weather and she kept us in the air. So grateful for those who designed her.

[@P3cNavyBrat]

@warrages1 Cool Fact!! The crew that had to ditch off ADAK in 1978 would have loved to have had a place to land, even a carrier. My Dad was the TACCO in the Ready Aircraft.

[@AlanLBCA]

VP-1 79-82, VP-31 82-85, VP-91 85-91, Lockheed P_3 Production and Flight Test, P-3C UIII Fleet Training - nice video

[@jjaagg5050]

My son is an AW with VP-45 and can't wait for the P-8 to be ready. So for you guys testing them, hurry up! LOL! GO NAVY!

[@checkingvidstoday]

Really enjoyed your show. Thanks for the memories.....

[@freaklemon]

This aircraft, with its unreliable flight directors and unsafe and crappy ASW-31 autopilot, was by far, the best transport category aircraft to hone one's skills as a pilot. I'll never forget shooting a raw, hand flown CAT III visibility (less than 1/8 SM) precision approach into KNXX in the late 90s. That's how precise our hand flying had gotten with dets at sites including Adak, Alaska and Keflavik, Iceland. There's no other training like it and the airlines sought us out.

[@craignehring]

Well they just flew one of these P-3's over Milwaukee as if it was a strafing run, at or below 1000 feet. It flew about the city and then headed out East over Lake Michigan. It was hauling along pretty good too.

[@goldbeachsurfer]

I wish someone would do a full documentary on this aircraft. My sister was in a p-3 squadron in the navy (VP-11), and I trained and led a flight line crew fueling and loading fire retardant on p-3's in Oregon for forest fire suppression. I worked with tanker 23, 25, and 27. They have also been used extensively in hurricane hunting which provides valuable information during hurricane season. I miss loading them "hot" on the flight line. Hunt subs, hurricanes, and assist putting out fires, and carry passengers, what more can you ask of an aircraft.

[@Woodducksrock1]

who is your sister? I was in VP-11.

[@vroomba03]

1:36 is jacksonville!! There are so many p-3s here at NAS jacksonville.

[@leotard7230]

Great video. I flew in this bird a lot. VP-93, VP-66, VP-69 and VP-4046 (SAU).

[@jray4888]

Great vid...NFO VP-19, VP-40, VP-91, VP-65. The pig lives!!!

[@martial196]

Отличное видео!

[@aircrewgirl]

Loved it...miss flying.

[@DanielBrown-sn9op]

For decades, a Soviet and Russian navy nightmare.🇺🇸

[@LateNightCable]

I live across the highway from a US Naval Air Station, so I get to see these things circle low over my apartment nearly every day. And F-18's too, but the Orions are the best to watch because they come over low and slow!... Oh yeah, I like the B737, but screw the P-8 Poseidon!

[@spgray65]

IFT (AT2) in VP-48 & VP-91. Dets to Cubi Point, Adak, Kadena JP. I miss flying in the "bus"! Semper Per Diem!

[@NordicBlondeBeauty]

NIce job on the video. Great stuff.

[@ThyGeekGoddessMuze]

I was an AX at VP-30 (O-level) '87 until 1/17/91. (checkout was fun) Ask me how pissed I was that Petty Officer Grabass put me there, KNOWING I wanted to deploy and work I level. "They ALL deploy!" pfft I thought they would be great firefighters, so that's sweetness. Anyone have ghost stories about the VP-62 hangar? We had to get radio checks from truckers because they were the only ones who would respond! Often we'd get, "HOLY COW!! What the heck you got there?? I gotta git me one!" LOL

[@f2496]

my father flew p-3's for 22 years in the navy, he was a flight engineer.

[@P3cNavyBrat]

@coo1aid Yet to be seen if the p8 will fit the need. The P-3 still has at least 10 years of service in it, with the wing retros. How long can a 737 stay 200 feet off the deck in -20degF with 40 foot swells in the Bering Sea? Oh yeah, about an hour before the pilot is flicking the fuel gauges. The flexibility of the P3 is incredible. Just look at what they're using them for (Middle East, Somali Pirates, Firefighting, Hurricanes, Drug Trafficking, etc) and they're still monitoring the subs.

[@johngrelli5310]

I spent over 5,000 hours in that plane. Good video!

[@drummerfromoly]

During the cold war , these babies were flying in and out of Moffett Field in Sunnyvale Ca. They would fly right over the Santa Clara valley at least 4 to 5 times a day. They would be doing sub searches I guess. How are they used today? Right now I hear them flying over Olympia Wa. into Ft. Lewis. In the last week or two I have heard them fly over more and more.

[@stevetadlock5223]

I was flying 3-4 times a week...78-83 at moffet...VP-40

[@scottarnett9627]

I was a crewman on the p 3 Orion for almost 4 yrs in vp 17 during the Vietnam War from 1969 till 1973! Great airplane !!!

[@kwervo1206]

Im a t56 mechanic and let me say this it is a wonderful plane but the man hours i spend to keep this thing flyin is insane they spend more time in a down status awaiting parts than in the air! Time for a change

[@ThyGeekGoddessMuze]

Oh yeah! Pelicans! LOLOL! I Remember how "fierce" that was. *snortle*. At least they deployed. I was in VP-30. The one with the two eagles, one big one, for the operational side and a smaller for he training side.

[@flighsimer]

thanks, i doubt any would go to india though because they signed a contract a few months ago for the P-8i, which is based on the P-8A.

[@mchume65]

I was AX1 groundpounder in VP-50 from '83 to '87.

[@cubberleygirl]

Outstanding. Thank you for this.

[@rwheele]

Pretty cool. AT2-IFT served in VP-62, VP-91, RATCEN Semper Per Diem

[@sandymyrick4664]

EAST COAST, VP-31 WEST COAST. THAT'S WHERE I GOT 8 WEEKS OF TRAINING IN 1970. I WENT ON TO JOIN VP-6.

[@LateNightCable]

Sending in the 737 to do the P-3's job is like replacing the B-52 fleet with 747's. Some things don't need to be messed with.

[@larrywilson6900]

VP-50, Moffett Field, 69-70.

[@flighsimer]

@coo1aid yup, my brother is in the pioneers who will get a/c #3 and 4... hopefully they will get it before the airshow.

[@themontevi1]

Thanks for the great video, Red Lancer PPC

[@PingCrack]

Nice Video! Thx for Upload!

[@PaulDavidlighting]

i see these at NAS JAX, but more i see the p-8, it is sad that they r retiring the p3, but it has been in servace 4 50yrs

[@stockcar269s]

As i write this there is an RNZAF P-3 heading from New Zealand to Antarctica or back to Rescue an American Serviceman from McMurdo, No American Aircraft are currently at the Antarctic Base in Christchurch so NZ is sending down a P-3, they would usually send a C-130 so is unusual to send a P-3, maybe speed is of the essence in this rescue as went i was in the forces it took about 9 hrs from ChCh to McMurdo in a C-130 + Antarctica will still be in darkness at this time of year

[@tedhernandez5009]

Great vid about a great plane!! thank you!

[@flighsimer]

@jjaagg5050 the pelicans :) when did he go there? that was my brother's squad until he went to dallas and then pax river. So last time he would have actually been there was 06. He is now one of the guys testing the p-8 though, their squad hasnt recieved theirs yet, but will be recieving it soon. Their sister squad has their p-8's in his squads hangars right now. I got to see it and it is sweet looking!

[@31specialops]

i could not live with out the p 3

[@themontevi1]

I think next there should be "a little video of the Aging P-3 Orion Aircrewman". Perhaps the theme misuc could be "We are the Champions"

[@keith558]

@flighsimer - Experience comes from GE, SNECMA and US Airways. Now have my own shop called Jet AirWerks.

[@syizm]

Currently an FE in Brunswick, ME.

[@jon91385]

the good thing is lockheed is building new p-3 wings for our navy and several other countries

[@The777017]

The P2V is actually being used over mozilla Montana by Neptune aviation as an aerial fire fighting airplane it was just retired last fall

[@iosif6759]

good job man thanks for sharing.

[@coo1aid]

@flighsimer well you never know. could of been another somewhere in the states.

[@kennethbertram161]

I have many good memories of her VP-47 out of moffet

[@jjaagg5050]

@flighsimer He's there now. Let's see, he left VP-30 in December, got married, went back to Jax the day after wedding. Came home on leave for Christmas, went back to Jax. then reported to VP-45 I would say right after the new year. The time has kind of run together, and things were happening very quickly. We are talking 12/09. So just last December. So far things are going well for him. He says he wants to make it a career and be an instructor some day. Thanks very much!

[@steve48la]

good job- was hoping to see a VP-50 tail with blue dragon :-( ex. vp-50 flight engineer 1975-79 -two 6 mo. tours of misawa and one of kadena japan.

[@Tyr4nny0fp3ac3]

i sit center seat as well!

[@georgeaxl123]

Yeah that's a shame. as many ppl said on comments(and i believe you did also), the P-3 have something more that the P-8 doesn't, and i could just say that even before fly that beauty. i can't figure a 737 flying 200 feet above the sea doing maneuvers like the p-3 usually does, since i'm a fighter pilot, i don't have much contact with the P-3(my airbase is far away from the coast), but i'm sure a big fan of that aircraft. and i believe Brazilian airforce is doing a great job with the P-3AM.

[@pakdefv]

After their retirement, they might be sold to us (Pakistan) or to India. Our PN(Pakistan Navy) intends to replace French-built Atlantique-2 aircrafts as for they don't offer much of wide variety within our spectrum of requirements, therefore PN endorsed bids for these used-version maritime sea-keepers and we had received 3 of 6 P-3Cs which landed at Mehran Naval Station at Karachi Anyways great job

[@flighsimer]

@coo1aid pax river... the only base the p-8's are at...

[@Pitchlock8251]

The Stones soundtrack fits the old gal nicely.

[@flighsimer]

my brother works on the engine of them... vp-45 in jax...

[@martinofellwood]

Ahh....those many long, low overwater flights!!

[@mt71848]

VP-22 1969-71 Barbers Point, HI 3 westpac tours RIP Orion...

[@waynebudman9558]

HARS in Australia has a complete P3C that will stay flying, RAAF gave it to them

[@georgeaxl123]

That's what we are doing here in Brazil, 'rebuilding' the aircraft, Embraer and AEL systems will replace all the avionics and eletronic systems in the future. i agree with you, it's such a waste of one incredible aircraft. regards.

[@flighsimer]

I looked though it, couldnt see any... were there?

[@rogerstuder3680]

Good...go one.

[@scarface8999]

Granddad flew in these, VP-5 the Mad Foxes.

[@flighsimer]

@keith558 at Boeing or with VX-1 or VX-20? My brother is in VX-1 working on the P-3's engine but he will soon being transitioning to the CFM's.

[@Landotter1]

I have heard rumors that folks hate the P8's already.... Many think that an assembly line for P3's should be rebuilt and production started again. Won't happen but that's the general opinion of people who know....