P-3 Orion 50th Anniversary 

Thank You, Lockheed Martin. As a retired Navy AWC (AW/NAC), I logged over 4,000 hours in the P-3A, P-3B (TAC/NAV MOD), the P-3B MOD, The P-3C UI/II, and the P-3C UIII, and even some hours in the TP-3A! I was lucky enough to fly back to Moffett Field once in a just-accepted Charlie III from Palmdale. (Still had plastic on the seats, and it smelled a whole lot different from the older ones! 😉) Sadly, I helped take a couple to the Boneyard as well. From 1975 to 1995, I was primarily an Acoustic Sensor Station Operator (SS 1&2), PNEC 7821 and then 7841, with an SNEC of 7851. I was in LANT, EastPAC, WestPAC, Caribbean and Gulf/Canal Zone operations. I was fortunate enough to get up to Greenwood NS, and joined VP International, too! I got to know that beautiful aircraft, from Nose Radome to tip of the MAD Boom, from bulkhead 288 to 1173 and from wingtip to wingtip. There were more than a few times when it seemed we wouldn't match # of landings to takeoffs, but that airplane always got us home, even if she got battered in the process. I've been retired 26 years, but I can still see, hear, and smell that airplane. I can close my eyes and walk through it (including literally, using the handrails!), from the Flight Station to the LICT Compensator and Negative Pressure Relief Valve and back again, and see vividly everything along the way. I'm proud of my time as a "Blue Card", and as an instructor (CDI and 9502). I forged lasting friendships, nay, brotherly bonds in that Tube, and I reflect fondly on that portion of my life. I still consider myself, and always will, a P-3 Aircrewman! Again, I say "Thank You" for such a magnificent aircraft!

My dad was a P-3 mechanic with VP-44 in 1968. He helped fight the cold war. Ronald Harry Winn R.I.P.

P-3 Aviation Ordnanceman here! Best aircraft to ever fly and it was an honor to work with her!

"And god created the P3 flight engineer, so even Chuck Norris could have a hero." Thank you for your service. And thank you dad, for the 20+ years in the RNoAF. God bless you.

As a retired P-3 Flight Engineer with over 10,000 hours across all models, I love this airframe! It has always gotten me home.

I was attached to VP 40 based in Moffett Field in California from 1979-1984. I had the best job of my life as an engine mechanic in that squad. The T-56 engine was well designed and bullet proof. With the 13' diameter, 4 blade prop attached to the turbo engine, there is no finer sound than hearing one fly overhead. I miss those days and the many missions chasing and dogging the Soviet subs all over the Pacific. Miss my squadron, miss my shipmates. I'd do it again if they'd let me.

There a great aircraft, we've operated 6 with the RNZAF since 1966, upgraded them from P-3B to P-3K and again in early 2000's to P-3K2 Orion, they've save a lot of Yachty's over the years, longest mission was 19 -20 hours on station above a yacht in the south Pacific vectoring our navy in, running on just two of its engines, brave boys, all six are due for retirement in 2021, 4 P-8A Poseidon are replacing them, were not quite sure the P-8 can do the Orion's job in SAR, although it is a much more advanced ASW Aircraft

During my U.S. Coast Guard days (1965 - 1969) I served on an 'ocean station vessel'. 1 of the stations was 'station Echo' about 950 miles East Northeast of Bermuda. We would be on station for about 3 weeks and on many occasions we trained with Navy P-3 Orions practicing our anti-submarine warfare skills and search and rescue patterns with an aircraft. Was always amazed at how long the P-3 would stay in the air. Sometimes they dropped newspapers and magazines to us which were enclosed in a plastic tube they dropped from the P-3. Nice memories.

I was attached to VP-23 and VP-21 and we flew the P2V-5, 6,and 7 and when with VP-23 few in the P-3 /C as sensor 1. This was from 19763 to 1973 when I retired. Great aircraft . Many memories Chris Eybergen AWC-AC

I was a. Member. Of Vp 11 p2v. Neptune in 1957 to 1959 Brunswick Maine and overseas🇺🇸

I've always had absolute confidence in the P-3 to get to the mission, get it done, and get back home, in absolutely ANY weather. Range/endurance/systems! They should build more of them.

My dad was an aircrew man on P-3s (VP-9) from 1963-1967. The eagle on the surfboard is his artwork. Look at the yearbooks from that time. Those are all his cartoons. They did find a Russian sub in the Gulf of Tonkin and one day caused a bunch of Chinese junks to flip over. They got in big trouble for that. My memory as a kid actually begin at Moffet Field.

Really great review of the P-3 Orion. I started as a Flight Engineer at Lockheed Production Flight Test in 1961 at the beginning of the production program. All the F/E's also were involved in producing the necessary training materials, and class room instruction both at Pax River and NAS Moffat, and the initial flight training (no simulator). I was in Lockheed's Skunk Works from 1963 to 1968, and then was fortunate to return to prod. flt. test at the beginning of P-3C production. Many pleasant memories flying with the Lockheed Test Pilots and during the initial flight training at Pax River and Moffat. Blessed to be able to say, I'm a 27 year retiree fromLockheed.

My dad was an aircrewman, VP-9, from ‘64-‘68. His pilot was Patrick Henry who became a Goodyear blimp pilot. My memory as a child starts at Moffet Field. Not sure but the eagle on the surfboard might be his artwork.

I got over 10,000 hours as a flightengineer in the the P-3 -A-B-C aircraft , It is the best aircraft in U.S. Navy Chief Ed Stewart

Greatest aircraft ever. VP-45 2004-2007

This plane has fed me and my family since 1972. 8000 hours as an FE and many years as a maintenance officer. And now a program manager for Lockheed. It will probably out live me.

I consider this plane the worlds best ever built maritime-patrol, sub hunter and anti ship aircraft!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

12 or 13 man crew for a single aircraft 1000 miles from no where; requiring no support other than fuel. flights of 12 1/2 hour bad boys day after day without end. Flights 4 hours out 4 hours on station and 4 hours back. Countless trips into Mogadishu and places like that in the early 80's not to mention all the other decades. The proof is in the pudding. Folks today can talk the walk the question can they walk the walk? The heavy patrol aircraft for all of WestPac and beyond its a big ocean boys...a lot of blood sweat and tears....on behalf of my friends and shipmates thank you!

The P-3 ORION, the bird that got my career in defense analysis started.

I never got sailors attachments to their ships until I served in this beautiful bird! She got me in and outta trouble, 20yrs of memories sigh

Hands down one of the most versatile platforms in the Navy. The 737 P8 has some big shoes to fill!!!! VP-9 K-Bay 00-04

My dad flew this plane between 1970 and 1974 out of BNAS, (which, unfortunately is no longer an active Navy base), I have fond memories of seeing those planes flying overhead, going to and from their training and patrol missions.

I was attached to TSC/ASCOMM (ASW Communications), I was an RM2. I flew MANY hours in P3's out of Keflavik Iceland and Sigonella Sicily from 1977 to 1980. Almost got my wings, completed most all the qualifications. Wish I had been more diligent. These great ladies brought us home safely every time. But there was a few times it got scary. Once going on patrol North of Keflavik we lost all hydraulics, almost didnt get back. Then on a mission out of Sigonella we were intercepted by Libyan migs.

Fascinating plane for sure with broad yet unique capabilities. Sadly I lost my father in one of these in 1963.

I'm proud to say My son is piloting a P-3 today--- even though it is an old frame, it is still in service

I flew with the following squadrons, VP16 Eagles & 45 Pelicans in 77/78, VP24 Batmen & VP49 Woodpeckers from 78 to mid 1980.

I can genuinely say that I am proud to work on the P-3 Orion daily as a depot level maintenance aviation sheet metal mechanic on the P-3 Orion.

Someday, when I'm nearing my last breath, someone will ask me what gave my life the most satisfaction, and I'll tell them, "I maintained the P-3 Orion."

Just found this video..worked secure comm on the P3-E from 76-79. Can't forget the donut and canoe version of this bird... loved being part of it.

Former Sensor 1&2 in VP-60...Great airframe to fly in. #FlyNavy

The Orion and the Bear are synonymous with the Cold War and ASW. There will be no others that will leave such an indelible mark.

'86-'90 AIMD at Pax River attached to VX-1 and VXN-8. BEST aircraft EVER. Anyone that complains about a P-3 clearly never ACTUALLY worked on one. Reliable and was always willing to take on whatever , whenever, PERIOD. Plus did it with style and attitude to boot. So to the likes of Timmy boy below. You" sir", and I use that term loosely, have no clue WTF you are talking about.

7000 total hours in P-3s, VP-06 77-80 and VP-01 83-87, tours at CPW-2 80-83 and 87-91 when I retired as an AWC, USN. Good bird but old now glad I wasn't on the VP-1 bird in 2008 that got into the flat spin on approach to NAS Whidbey.

I was in VP-23 from 72-75. I see a future where an aircraft like this will come back. With many upgraded engines like the C-130Js

I was a AMH4 in VP22 in 1979 @ Barbars Point Hawaii ❤

I live on El Hierro, Canary Islands, where a P3 Orion flew into the side of a mountain. This was December 1977, and it was a NATO surveillance flight from Lajes. It almost led to a diplomatic incident; you can find out about it under "Operación Manuel". The crew had been told to avoid the Canary Islands as Spain was not a NATO member, but the map they had only included the larger islands and it was a wet, foggy morning so visual navigation was not possible. Anyone else remember this story? A local taxi driver took one of the investigators and remembers some things he described as : "balas, about a meter long", so presumably that size and shaped like a bullet. Any idea what that could be?

This plane is beautiful. With soul. We have his analogue, this is IL-38. And he too was created on the basis of a passenger aircraft. I love these birds. Peace.

I know three generations of P3 pilots, shows how mighty the Great War pig is

Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to have done the Orion!

Considering the RNZAF P3's were one of the first exports in 1965 and they are still flying today now classed as the P3K2 only have a couple more years in them and being replaced by the P-8A in 2022...

My dad fly electra.. i love that plane..

I have to laugh but you are right. I remember forming up on an Iranian P-3 in the early 90's. Had a nice conversation with them.

I was a P2V7 crewmember of VP17 in Whidbey Island, WA. I was discharged in Aug of 67 and my squadron got P3s and moved to Hawaii! WTF? I would have liked to go to Barbers Point! As a civilian I flew it's civilian counter part, the Electra for a few years. I guess the Navy figured out how to keep the wings and engines attached to the plane!! Many, MANY died in that aircraft.

It spins round round like a record baby. Right round like a record baby. Off the ground. And has for a very long time.

Seen a few of these (CP-140 Aurora) does it's job very well.

here on its 57th aniversary

Hey Tiny Tim Shafer! How many Minutes you have aboard the P3 Orion? Huh? Whats that? Louder...I couldn't hear you...You say "A Few?" Oh yea..What u say? "Be an Eight?" Say Again...Huh? OK...U Gotta "few" (Minutes) on the P8 also?! Sonny Boy you's a Mans-Man!

Fantastic aircraft, we have a working P3C at HARS museum

Real pretty paint scheme on those Iranian P-3s. I saw one up close -- reasonably close -- back in 1991. We wondered even then how they got the spare parts to keep them flying.

That is one amazing design and plane.

You Better Take care and Love the One's You have! Because...Dat's all they gots Sonny!

Amen brother! She was an awesome, hardy bird to be sure.

Its a shame that the Netherlands don't have MP&RM planes anymore. We sold our P3 planes to Germany and we don;t have the P8 Poseidon or something like that. We Dutchies are crazy that we haven't bought new ones (or the P8 now). Basicly we have to search and monitoring Russians subs with the Do228 of the Dutch Coast Guard now!!!!

I love this plane. 今なお海上自衛隊航空部隊のシンボルの一つともいえます。

i love P-3

I love this plane.

Aircrewed in P2V-7 & real jealous of the P-3 guys !!

Very well done.

Still flying in the US Navy.

very cool video

Modified so many of these aircraft over 25 years I lost count, loved working on these aircraft. Had a former navy guy {fresh out of service) tell me that I couldn't remove the sono bouy rack from the aircraft with out dismantling it. I told him I could and bet him a paycheck..im still waiting on my money,,,,,

However We've got 6 new C-130J-30 Super Hercules on the way, they will probably take the P-3's place in SAR out at sea, our current fleet of C-130H work with the Orion's in SAR

nice job!

Are you still taking requests for mid-life for the P-3?

Hella bird. One good thing tho... Maybe some will come on market?

Lockheed your the bast! :)

and the argentine orions?? i love the p3. an eternal aircraft

IIAF had P-3F ,too

Have 1600 hours in P2 and P3 ,P3 is the best plane don't know why they are replacing it

vp-9 03-07 kaneohe bay HI now AA line maintenance miss my sweet p-3

VP-17, summer or fall 1991, Kharg Island vicinity probably.

On a boat to Pax River NAS, I Got to sit in a p3 simulator/trainer. 1964. would this have been a P2. or P3?

good airplanes, eficients for combat.

fuck yea

You missed the RAAFs upgraded AP3 and the sale of P3s to Iran!

VP-6 85-90 Barbers Pt. Hawaii

I think Iran also has P3 orion!?

Which Squadron? VP-22?

VP-11, VP-45, VPU-1; 1994-2001.

Well of course but there not gonna do that. There gonna fly the p8.

Iran have 6 p3 in iraq iran war

Did you know Ford Williams?

Americans, dot even mention your best buddies Iran

I don't think so.

Great plane but P-7 destroyed LM credibility. That's why Boeing builds the P-8.

30 years??? are you high??? the plane rarely if ever comes back without a gripe and costs MILLIONS to keep up. no this plane is old and needs a replacement

it was officially incorporated by the COAN in March 1998. Argentina 🟦⬜🟦