The F/A-18 Hornet is the true multi-role aircraft. It can vault from a carrier deck, bomb a target and stay to dogfight even the best enemy aircraft without missing a beat. It's the Navy's first modern-era jet intended for double duty against air- and ground-based adversaries. Armed to the hilt with Sparrow and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, an internal cannon, and laser-guided bombs, this modern warbird was an outstanding performer in Operation Desert Storm. Strapped into a digital cockpit described as a cross between Star Wars and a video game, pilots of the F/A-18 Hornet take on the ultimate aviation job: blasting this single-seat, high-performance jet off the deck of a carrier, dropping bombs, and firing air-to-ground ordnance. Offering unmatched agility, the Hornet is the choice aircraft of the US Navy's elite Blue Angels aerobatic team.

The F/A-18C is the single-seat variant and the F/A-18D is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft. The "missionized" D model's rear seat is configured for a Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer who functions as a Weapons and Sensors Officer to assist in operating the weapons systems. The F/A-18D is primarily operated by the U.S. Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) roles.

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. Other upgrades include the Martin-Baker NACES (Navy Aircrew Common ejection seat), and a self-protection jammer. A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, the Loral AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (formerly monochrome) multi-function display (MFDs) and a color moving map.

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a US Navy Boeing F/A-18C Hornet Strike Fighter that was attached to VFA-34 "Blue Blasters", then embarked upon the USS George Washington (CVN-73) during 2015. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches
Length: 9-inches

Release Date: March 2024

Historical Account: "Blue Blasters" - After an extended stand down period the squadron returned to USS Abraham Lincoln for deployment back to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman from September 7th, 2010, to March 24th, 2011. In 2012, the squadron won the Battle "E" award for excellence during a period of sustained readiness and combat operations. When Abraham Lincoln began its Refueling and Complex Overhaul in 2013, CVW-2 was reassigned to USS Ronald Reagan. The wing made only a short deployment aboard Ronald Reagan during exercise RIMPAC between June and August 2014, before the carrier was stationed in Japan. CVW-2 then accompanied USS George Washington for her voyage around South America from September to December 2015.

In 2016, CVW-2 and VFA-34 were reassigned to USS Carl Vinson. The wing made its next deployment to the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean aboard Carl Vinson from January 23rd to June 23rd, 2017. On January 5th, 2018, VFA-34 left San Diego aboard Carl Vinson for another scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific.

This deployment marked the final "Legacy" Hornet deployment for the squadron as upon their return, they will transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. On February 1st, 2019, the squadron bid its final farewell to the F/A-18C Hornet. As the final operational "Legacy" Hornet in the U.S. Navy, that flight also happened to be the final F/A-18C flight by a deployable squadron.