NOAA P-3 Orion Visits DAB (PIX)

Today I went to Datona Beach (DAB) for the first time. I went to get some shots of the NOAA WP-3D Orion that arrived there at around 9am this morning.

I have been wanting to get shots of this aircraft for years and am glad that I finally had a chance. I was not aware that there was a tour going on until I turn in my scanner to NOAA to get an update on the fires in the area. When I arrived ar DAB I noticed that any kind of decent shot was plauged with humans gathering around the aicraft. In the long run a few min photoshoot turned into a 5 hour long wait for them to clear the "CRAP" from around the plane so I could get some clean shots.
Anyway heres the trip pix
Taxiing to runway 7L after the tour.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-02.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-01.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-05.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-04.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-06.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-20.jpg
Nothing like getting rocked by a P-3!
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-03.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-07.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-08.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-09.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-10.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-14.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-17.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-18.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-11.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-16.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/noaa-12.jpg

A few others from the day:
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/convair01.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/convair02.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/convair04.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/vpp.jpg
Senga

My cousin flys the EP3E in the Navy. He is stationed in Misawa Japan. Those things are beasts. Sidenote they do not have Lavs on board beleive it or not.

Perfect Senga, just perfect...

Another great set for the collection.

Tom

I didnt know that, Why no Bathrooms?
They are quite loud. It reminds me as to why I love Tuboprops so much.

Thanks Tom,
Yes its will make a great addition :)
Senga

Nice shots Senga! You go boy!

:)
I'm so happy I finally got that one. I even got a NOAA WX Pen and 2 Pamflets describing basic operation of the aircraft :)

Senga

On the navy EP3E there is no room for a lav you do your business in a plastic bag and hang it in the sonar racks so it freezes up .

Hmmmm,
Sounds like Fun.

I love the shot with the hurricane logos and all of the operations this plane has been through. The P-3 is one beast!! Nice shots!

What a great first trip to DAB Senga, I actually worked there for a few months in 1982 with DAB based National Florida, a short lived commuter operating two Metro II's. two Twin Otter's, and a Navajo.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1043364/L/

Glad you had a successful first visit.

LGA777

Ahh the airline that only paired female pilots with female pilots.

Great stuff Senga! i love the shot with the patches, I see she flew into Gloria in 1985, man do I remember that storm.

Thanks guys,
I rememeber Hurricane Gloria. I was living in VA when we got some of it.
Senga

Great stuff!

Senga,

You came to DAB and did not call me?? Next time you wonder over call! And answer your instant messages!!

-Matt

Matt,
I didn't have the proper phone number sheet with me to give you a call. However, I did attempt to look for your number but failed to find it in the sheet I had.
I saw you IM to me but by the time I saw it you had logged off etc etc. I have 2 computers side by side and I usually turn off the monitor on that one when I am not using it. We will meet up.
Senga