VF-34 "Blue Blasters" was established as VF-20 in 1943 with an insignia "Joker" bursting from a deck of cards and holding a machine gun. The squadron was re-designated VA-34 on 1 July 1955. In 1957 the unit adopted their present day nickname and insignia inspired by their blue tails and their nuclear delivery capabilities, hence, "Blue Blaster". In 1996 they were re-designated as VFA-34 equipped with F/A-18C until 2019 when they received the F/A-18E. In 2020 VFA-34 was onboard USS George Washington to South America from September until December.
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 defense 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.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F/A-18 Hornet is a quality model with many fine features, skillfully designed and manufactured with modern techniques. The canopy can be removed for an unobstructed view of the cockpits pad-printed instrument panel and interior features. A separate canopy with a fixed actuator is included for display in the open position. The speed brake can be configured in the deployed position, and the landing gear and gear doors are constructed as subassemblies for quick and easy ground configuration. The series includes the single-seat F/A-18C and the two-seat F/A-18D.
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