Inflight200 IFP3NAVY0623

Inflight200 IFP3NAVY0623 replicates 1/200 scale diecast of the P-3C Orion BuNo 159506, Tail code PE/6 of VP-19 “Big Red”, US Navy, circa the 1980s.

VP-19 “Big Red”, US Navy

Patrol Squadron 19 (VP-19) was formed as Reserve Patrol Squadron 907 (VP-907) in July 1946, redesignated VP-871 in February 1950 and as VP-19 in February 1953. It was disestablished on August 31, 1991.

The squadron has operated the following aircraft:

• PV-2 Ventura 1946
• PBY-5A Catalina 1946-49
• P2 Neptune 1949- 52
• P4Y-2 Privateer 1951-52
• P-3 July 1963-91

Lockheed P-3 Orion

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a land-based, four-engine turboprop anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine (ASW) and maritime surveillance aircraft based on the L-188 Electra airliner.

It first flew on August 19, 1958, entering service in August 1962 with VP-8 and VP-44, US Navy. It has served in numerous countries for over 50 years. Japan manufactured the Orion under license.

The airframe differs from the Electra with a shortened forward fuselage, a bomb bay, a tail boom with a magnetic anomaly detector, sonobuoy launch tubes and underwing hardpoints.

A US Navy P-3C crew typically consists of ten, including three pilots.

The Orion uses four Allison T56 turboprops mounted two on each wing, driving four-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed propellers. Once on station, up to two engines can be shut down to conserve fuel.

Armament consists of ten underwing hardpoints and eight internal stations in the bomb bay, carrying up to 9,100 kg (20,000 lb) of stores.