S-3 Viking In Action Paperback – January 1, 2012

The Squadron/Signal books are always a mix of photos intended for modelers and general information about the subject for those who are interested in it. Their last few publications, including this one, have been well-done. This book has lots of color photos, lots of artwork, and interesting text. It has good photos of the cockpit and the various control consoles (although I wished there was at least one photo that tried to show the overall interior). Something that I really liked were the schematics showing various external features, particularly the antennas on the electronic warfare version. I would have liked to see a couple of illustrations of the proposed upgrades (I believe that there were at least two carrier onboard delivery versions that did not get built). The only thing missing--and I know that S/S books usually don't do this--was a list of all the airframes and what has happened to them now that the S-3 has been retired. But it's a great resource. If you are at all interested in this subject, you need this book.

The S-3 Viking in Action book in the Squadron/Signal series is a well done combination of excellent photos, history of the various S-3 versions and detailed coverage of the aircraft's many systems and system upgrades over its life-cycle. The S-3A/B was a "Buck Rogers" weapons system platform in its prime and would still be that sophisticated were it still operational today. The book provides an excellent collection of photos including a large variety of squadron markings and detailed interior and exterior views. The description of how various Weapons System Upgrades were phased is both detailed and accurate as is the history of the variants that Lockheed produced. The aircraft sensors and data processing capabilities were both complex and highly integrated. The only related systems not covered in this book are the various support systems such as the Versatile Avionics System Test (VAST), the Tactical Support Centers and the console used in S-3 carrier ready rooms for mission debriefs. The latter was unique among carrier tactical aircraft in the 1970's and 80's.

Squadron in thier usual style gives you enough information and pictures to get a good foundation on the S-3 Viking. If you are interested in Aviation history in a short work with plenty of great pictures this is it.

Great overview of the history of the S-3 Viking. Although I was a SENSO in VS-21, the first fleet squadron to fly the S-3A, there were many things that I did not know about the later developments.

Excellant resource publication for building a 1/48th scale model of the S-3 Viking. Even though the publisher doesn't have the "Walk Around" version, the color pictures and written descriptions were well done.

First off, it was written by a foreign outfit and they didn't research this aircraft very well since the S-3 Viking was never exported under Foreign Military Sales. Not a great deal of content, captions sometimes do not match up with the photos. It's a picture booklet more than anything else. History of the aircraft is much too brief and innacurate. There are better books out there on this aircraft. Don't spend your money on this one.

Serious history of the development, weapons, and use of this sub hunter and support aircraft. Lots and lots of detailed photos. Traditional solid Squadron-Signal work.

Great reference for modelers

Very good book on this aircraft, recommend.

An excellent book detailing the history of the S-3 Viking from development through to its ultimate withdrawal from service. All the operational variants are covered including the ES-3A along with a number of proposed capability concepts. Ideal book for the enthusiast and the scale modeller.