Robert Garelli Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 What are the differences if any between the P-3B and P-3C Orion aircraft? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Externally, very little except various antennas depending on which timeframe and thus modification you refer to. Tried to look it up, but seems to be mostly internal, both on the ASW suite and the design. Once I believed the B had smaller radome, but cannot find anything to substantiate this right now.? May be because the B's could have received the larger radome of the C over time. Such updates have been known to happen with various aircraft as they have servicelife updates. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Garelli Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 (edited) Hi Niels, Thanks, I ran into the same thing, found that if any changes were internal with different antenna configuration. I found some decals for the Argentina P-3B and wanted to make sure there weren't any major differences. https://www.airliners.net/photo/Argentina-Navy/Lockheed-P-3B-Orion/2830209?qsp=eJxtjrEOwjAMRP/Fc6dUrVA2ujDCwA9YzgGRShs5Hqiq/jtJKzGx3d2z7rySzJPhY/clgTxlsMqLGkqs/M7kV%2BKoovywgXOU4%2BzkXNf8wAUT9D8i37quL0Ge1YalDAQ2nEWQDIGO/KoBWhGy7MvP%2BomrEno7XNsXG2JOI%2B8tMI4jbdsXXXQ%2B5g%3D%3D Edited January 7 by Robert Garelli Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 If Argentinian P-3's are what you're after, I recommend that you wait a couple of months. They have bought 4 of the ex-RNoAF P-3C's which I think will be delivered now in 2024. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Garelli Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 Yes, found the article with the announcement regarding the purchase of the P-3N's Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 The main differences between the B and C were that that early Bs had a search light on the starboard wingtip and they only had a single sonobuoy chute under the rear fuselage. The antenna fit was also different as Niels mentioned. The B's radome was the same size as the C. The L-188 Electra had the smaller radome. The Argentine Bs were not fitted with the search light. I built the subject kits a few years back... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Garelli Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 Thank you for the info, I was wondering about the buoy chute, couldn’t find a good pic. Awesome build, hope my comes out half as good as yours! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 @Robert Garelli 3x P-3C's and 1x P-3N Argentina buys four P-3 Orions from Norway (janes.com) @Trojan Thunder - Very nice P-3 👍 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Garelli Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 Thanks for the link. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 8 hours ago, Robert Garelli said: Thank you for the info, I was wondering about the buoy chute, couldn’t find a good pic. Awesome build, hope my comes out half as good as yours! Robert, These were the shots I used as my reference Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Garelli Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 Thank you Ray!!! 😃 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Illu Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Don’t the As and Bs lack the two small portholes on the right side of the aft fuselage (the crew rest area)? I haven’t looked at P-3s in ages, but I think that’s a C identification feature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 4 hours ago, Illu said: Don’t the As and Bs lack the two small portholes on the right side of the aft fuselage (the crew rest area)? I haven’t looked at P-3s in ages, but I think that’s a C identification feature. Yes you are correct. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.