RP-3D Orion Diecast Model, USN VXN-8 World Travelers, #158227 Road
DM-55774Product Details
Dragon Models 1:400 Warbirds 55774 |
| 1:400 Scale | Length | Width | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed RP-3D Orion | 3.5" | 3" |
US Navy Air Development Squadron Eight (VX-8) was estabished on July 1st 1967 at NAS Patuxtent River, Maryland to conduct airborne oceanographic and geophysical surveys using C-121s and NC-54s. The squadron was redesignated Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8) in January 1969 and upgraded to specialized RP-3 variants of the P-3 Orion. VXN-8 flew long-range survey missions around the globe earning them the nickname "World Travelers". The fleet of five aircraft all wore an international orange and white paint scheme to identify them as nonweapon-carrying. The squadron operated the RP-3 for 24 years before finally being disestablished in September 1993. The RP-3D was originally a P-3C derivative which had been delivered to the US Navy as an oceanographic survey aircraft for project MAGNET. The aircraft was equipped with environmental sensors and a non-ferrous empennage (tail section) to allow the crew to accurately measure variations in the Earth's magnetic field.