McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet – VMFA-323 Death Rattlers, USMC, USS Nimitz, 2021

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3583: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet NA401 of VMFA-323 Death Rattlers, USMC, USS Nimitz, 2021. Production run of 500 models.

Length 9.25 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) is an aircraft carrier-based aviation squadron of the United States Marine Corps. The squadron is equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, United States.

Designed as a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk and the A-7 Corsair II and as a complement to the F-14 Tomcat, the F/A-18 first flew on November 18, 1978. Perhaps best known as the aircraft of the US Navy’s Blue Angels, this carrier-capable, supersonic, all-weather fighter has many roles, including fighter escort, fleet air defence and close air support. The F/A-18 is a versatile aircraft: it can operate from carriers or land bases and a single switch converts it from fighter to strike mode. During Operation Desert Storm, the F/A-18 proved that, on a single mission, one aircraft could serve as both fighter and a bomber.