McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet – VFA-83 Rampagers, US Navy, USS Eisenhower 2005

Hobbymaster 1/72 scale HA3555: The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 164201, VFA-83 “Rampagers”, 2005. Production run of 700 models.

Length 9.25 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

VFA-83 was formed in April 1950 as Naval Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-916 “Roaring Bulls”. On February 4 1953, the squadron was re-designated Fighter Squadron Eighty Three (VF-83). July 1 1955 VF-83 was re-designated attack squadron VA-83 and renamed the “Rampagers” in 1957. In 1966 VA-83 traded their A-4 Skyhawks for the A-7E Corsair which they flew until 1987 when they received the F/A-18C and became VFA-83. When they returned from a deployment in 2004 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy they were re-assigned to the USS Eisenhower in 2005.

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first production flight on April 12, 1980. The first 380 aircraft were F/A-18As and in September 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases with the capability of in flight refueling. A total of 1,480 A-D variants were built.