Lockheed VP-3A Orion, 150511 / 5037, US Navy
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 150511
Construction Number: 5037
Model Lockheed VP-3A Orion
Operator: US Navy
Airport: Exeter (EXT / EGTE), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 29/05/2001
Date Submitted: 16/08/2009
This VP-3A was a very rare visitor to Exeter back in 2001. The visit was in conjunction with celebrations for the centenary of the Royal Navy's submarine service. She was the personal transport of CINCUSNAVEUR (Commander-in-Chief US Navy Forces Europe) and was based at Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily. She was a regular visitor to the UK and used the callsign 'CATBIRD'. Only five of this variant existed, three being converted from WP-3As and two from P-3As, they were used for VIP/staff transport duties. She was retired from service on the 13 May 2003 and was stored at AMARC with the inventory code AN2P0190 before being donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum where she resides today.
Picture ID:1187437