Lockheed P-3 Orion

Introducing a page dedicated to the Keftacex excercises where I have had the chance to photograph some or all of the participants.

Starting August 17. 1998, I hereby include a page with the VP SQN Boss Birds that I have
photographed in Keflavik. These are often stationary shots. Last addition February 10, 2000.

Starting November 4, 1998 I am also including a page of photographs of P-3Bs that are probably from a special unit, VPU-1
based in Brunswick, Maine. These photographs were all taken during the time frame of April 26, 1977 to June 5, 1985 by me.
They probably all depict that same two P-3Bs that were painted to represent various other aircraft to hide their presence.

P-3Bs of VPU-1 (Modified June 21, 2012)

	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	A Lockheed P-3C, BuNo 157313 recently repainted in the new glossy grey overall colors took off for a training flight on July 3, 2002. Unusual was the sight of four blue practice bombs on the underwing pylons. There were no markings to identify the squadron, but the presentation of the last three of the BuNo on the fin tip, suggests VP-10.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	A Lockheed P-3C, BuNo 157313 recently repainted in the new glossy grey overall colors took off for a training flight on July 3, 2002. Unusual was the sight of four blue practice bombs on the underwing pylons. There were no markings to identify the squadron, but the presentation of the last three of the BuNo on the fin tip, suggests VP-10.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	A Lockheed P-3C, BuNo 157313 recently repainted in the new glossy grey overall colors took off for a training flight on July 3, 2002. Unusual was the sight of four blue practice bombs on the underwing pylons. There were no markings to identify the squadron, but the presentation of the last three of the BuNo on the fin tip, suggests VP-10.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C, 163292 is here shown taxying in after a flight on Saturday, April 28. It is gleaming in the new paintscheme that is to be applied to all P-3s, consisting of a glossy overall grey, and a full color national insignia. 292 has not yet been painted with VP-16 squadron markings. It will be interesting to see how colorful they will eventually be.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C, 161124 from VP-16 in the old drab scheme, with the new squadron markings without the traditional red band outlined in gold. Taking off from runway 02 on Sunday morning, April 29, it has undergone the AIP modification as can be seen by the variou bumps and antennas around the lower fuselage.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C, BuNo 162778 is doing landing execises on runway 02 at NAS Keflavik on April 16, 2000. VP-5 is resident at this time, but this P-3C does not carry any squadron markings although assigned to VP-5. It has a number of new protuberances that signify new sensors and capabilities after going through the Anti submarine Improvement Program or AIP.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C, BuNo 162778 is doing landing execises on runway 02 at NAS Keflavik on April 16, 2000. VP-5 is resident at this time, but this P-3C does not carry any squadron markings although assigned to VP-5. It has a number of new protuberances that signify new sensors and capabilities after going through the Anti submarine Improvement Program or AIP.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	The Squadron Commanders plane from VP-45, Pelicans doing take off and landing practice on runway 02 on March 30, 1999. The shiny pelican glistens in the sun.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	A CP-140 Aurora of the Canadian Forces taking off from runway 29 in April 1996.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C LD-917 of VP-10 turning onto runway 02 from Echo taxiway.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	Taking off from runway 02 at Keflavik on July 29, 1998 is P-3C No. 300 of the Royal Netherlands Navy. This is the first of their P-3Cs and one such aircraft is stationed at Keflavik at all times.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C RC-5 of VP-46, based at Moffett Field California on approach to runway 02 on 21. June 1980. Three West coast squadrons turned up in Keflavik, VP-9, VP-46 and lastly VP-40.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C LR-8 of VP-24 approaching runway 02 on August 30, 1977.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 157319 LR-7 of VP-24 doing a crosswind landing on runway 20 on May 19, 1977. The old tower can just be seen behind the nose gear. This was at the beginning of VP-24s deployment that year.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 156523, LQ-9 of VP-56 can be seen approaching runway 02 on June 7, 1978.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 158570, LN-45 of VP-45 landing on runway 20 on 19. May 1977
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C update II, 160611, LM-8 of VP-44 landing after a heavy snowshower on 28. February 1979. VP-44 was the first squadron to bring the upd.II to operational status and the first to deploy to Keflav�k.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 160765, LM-5 of VP-44 doing a low flyby for the commanders of VP-44 on 24. April 1979. It is hard to see, but can just be discerned, that the luggage rack in the bomb bay broke loose and is hanging oartway through the nearly closed doors. The Co wanted to know that it was not hanging below the gear. It landed without incident.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 161334, LE-4 of VP-11 taking off from runway 20 in April 1982.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	UP-3A 150495 is the Keflavik station aircraft. It has carried the Valkyries head on its tail since 1985. Photographed on take off from runway 02 on 16. September 1997.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 159319 of VP-26 west of Iceland on October 15, 1996. Photographed from the rear observation blister of accompanying P-3C, 163292, VP-16, LF-292, it is in a hard bank to the right.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	P-3C 159319 of VP-26 above the western fjords of Iceland on October 15, 1996. This area is sometimes referred to as the "five finger area" by the American military pilots because of its shape. Photographed from the rear observation bulge of an accompanying P-3C 163292, VP-16, LF-292, it is practising formation flying.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	Another view of the same P-3 in a slightly different pose.
	Size 640 Size 1024 Return to Index	A P-3C 163293 of VP-5 taking off from runway 11 at Keflavik in the early morning sunlight on 25. February 1997. The third last P-3 produced for the USN, it is one of very few P-3s still left with white fuselage top.