Into the Sunset - VS-31 1942-2008

[VFA-203 Forever]

The "Topcats" of VS-31, Flying the War Hoover (S-3B) out of Jax decomm'd today (March 27) after 66 years.

So Long, Topcats! Great Group of Guys. Real Shame.

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[HuggyU2]

When does the last S-3B in the Navy quit flying? I got an orientation flight on one in '96 at VS-41 with an IP named Mike Bell. That was good fun. Seems like it would be a cross-country machine.

 

[Single Seat]

...and a FANTASTIC organic tanker around the boat.

 

[HeyJoe]

When does the last S-3B in the Navy quit flying? I got an orientation flight on one in '96 at VS-41 with an IP named Mike Bell. That was good fun. Seems like it would be a cross-country machine.

Choice of Presidents...well, at least one

 

[VFA-203 Forever]

When does the last S-3B in the Navy quit flying?

Last I heard, The Vidars at VS-22, The last squadron (Assuming VS-32 decomm's later this year), Are supposed to decomm in Spring of 2009.

Of course...I've heard on here with the P-3 groundings they could keep VS-22/32 around until the P-8 is in the fleet in decent numbers but as far as I know, That was still just being thrown around.

And I guess the CG rumors are squashed?

 

[S3Dude]

When does the last S-3B in the Navy quit flying? I got an orientation flight on one in '96 at VS-41 with an IP named Mike Bell. That was good fun. Seems like it would be a cross-country machine.

"Tink" Bell perhaps? He's still around, I believe he was at LSO school for a while, not sure now...

Definitely good for X-Countries. Lots of space and an APU. Range is not bad either. Great job.

 

[FLYTPAY]

Definitely good for X-Countries. Lots of space and an APU. Range is not bad either. Great job.

San Diego to JAX....took off 1000# below ladder and landed with SOP fuel......only in Hoov

 

[Bird85]

This was posted earlier by "Single Seat", but I decided to resurrect it in memory of the Topcats' disestablishment....

 

[squeeze]

"Tink" Bell perhaps? He's still around, I believe he was at LSO school for a while, not sure now...

Definitely good for X-Countries. Lots of space and an APU. Range is not bad either. Great job.

"Tink" Bell (or at least one of them) was CNATRA paddles when I was in Advanced and ran our CQ evolution.

 

[Single Seat]

This was posted earlier by "Single Seat", but I decided to resurrect it in memory of the Topcats' disestablishment....

Still one of the coolest cruise vids IMO.