Hobby Master 1/72 HA5102 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F 166620, VFA-103, USS Eisenhower 2012

The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem-seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.

In May 2005 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F 166620 C/N F113 wore “AA” of CVW-17 and was the CAG aircraft VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers”. This was the first Super Hornet for VFA-103. In 2006 VFA- 103 became part of CVW-7 and the markings changed to “AG”. In 2012 it was the CAG aircraft when the squadron sailed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and deployed for the first 6 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the second half of 2012 when the deployment was complete the aircraft received a Welcome Home paint scheme.