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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Lockheed L-188 / P-3 / CP-140
    Latest Model:UP-3A Orion
    Last Military Serial:150526 USN
    Construction Number:5052
    Compressed ID:Lockheed UP-3A sn 150526 USN cn 505...
    Latest Owner or Location:Misawa NAF, Misawa, Aomori

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a P-3A-30-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 150526.

    From Circa 1960 to Circa 1969

    To VP-49, Pax River.
    Markings added: LP3
    Robert Betsko comments (19 February 2019): 150526 was LP3, a VP-49 plane at Pax River, Md. during the 60,s.It was the plane designated as AIR BOSS 1 during the early space shots from the cape. Using a Sarah radio beacon it flew from Bermuda and pinpointed the splash down coordinates to the recovery ships.

    1981

    Converted to an UP-3A.
    Ronald Wade comments (19 January 2023): In 1981 the aircraft was modified, the T56-10 engines where replaced with T56-14 and a partial VIP kit installed, adding a large galley area (no appliances) and large passenger airline seats.

    By June 1981

    Transferred to VP-68, NAS Washington, (Andrews AFB), MD.
    Operated with markings: 6, LW

    27 June 1981


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: Departing Greenham Common.

    27 June 1981


    Photographer: Robert Nichols
    Notes: at RAF Greenham Common IAT

    From Unknown to 1995

    Transferred to VRC-30, NAS North Island, CA.

    1995

    Transferred to VQ-1, NAS Whidbey, WA.
    Ronald Wade comments (19 January 2023): Utilized as an Utility Aircraft to transport personnel and equipment to and from VQ-1 detachment points around the world.

    2002

    Ronald Wade commentds (19 January 2023): During annual airframe inspections a large crack was found in the wing spar, so the aircraft was deemed unflyable and too expensive to repair. This lead to the aircraft being donated to the aircraft museum at Misawa.

    7 May 2003

    Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Navy.

    To Misawa NAF, Misawa, Aomori.
    View the Location Dossier
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Internet Sources
     United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Individual Contributors
     Robert BETSKO
    Ken Videan
    Ronald Wade
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    Forum Link: [URL=https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=151792][IMG]/home/users/web/b1393/nf.aerialvisuals/public_html/AV/Support/Logo_20x20.jpg[/IMG]Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Lockheed UP-3A Orion, s/n 150526 USN, c/n 5052[/URL]
    Direct Link: https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=151792
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