WP-3D Orion - "Sky Hopper" Apollo 11 6 heavy cruisers

6 heavy cruisers

Taking off at dusk

Built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors

Future Apollo 15 Lunar Module Pilot and moon walker Jim Irwin was one of the test pilots who flew the Yf-12

WP-3D Orion - "Sky Hopper" Apollo 11 6 heavy cruisersFlying for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the WP 3D Orion is known as Hurricane Hunter. Derived from the US Navy P 3 Orion, the WP 3D is a tough and rugged airplane very well suited to rigorous hurricane conditions. NOAA operates two such aircraft which carry the name of famous Muppets "Miss Piggy" and "Kermit". Both aircraft underwent extensive nose to tail overhaul and modifications between 2015 and 2018. Both aircraft