"We get ours at night."
- Motto of VFA-31 "Tomcatters"

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 avaition 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.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USN F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter that was attached to VFA-31 "Tomcatters", then deployed to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: February 2013

Historical Account: "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" - The 'Tomcatters' is a US Navy strike fighter squadron based at NAS Oceana. This squadron, VFA-31, flies the F/A-18E Super Hornet exclusively. Founded on July 1st, 1935, as VF-1B 'Shooting Stars', the squadron has an illustrious history. Most recently it participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom while aboard USS Abraham Lincoln where it flew 585 sorties. At the time, the 'Tomcatters' was flying F-14D Tomcats. The unit's farewell to its Tomcats occurred in September 2006 during the 'Tomcat Sunset'. It was the Navy's last operational Tomcat squadron, and this will be reflected for time immemorial by their squadron name - 'Tomcatters'! After this emotional farewell, VFA-31 began its transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet, and today the 'Fighting 31' specializes in night fighting. This is summed up in their motto of 'We get ours at night'.