VFA-103 Jolly Rogers 2021 FA-18F Model, Navy, 1/40th (18") Scale, Mahogany, Fighter/Attack Fly with the VFA-103 Jolly Rogers 2021 in this hand-crafted FA-18F Model. Each model is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a unique piece that will always be treasured. Length - 18 inches Made from Mahogany US Veteran-Owned Business Introducing the beautifully carved wooden F/A-18F model of the VF-103 Jolly Rogers, affectionately known as "Fear the Bones." This 18 inch model boasts a detailed paint scheme and comes with a brass medallion on the base. The iconic Skull and Crossbones insignia has been flown on nine different types of fighter aircraft over the past 63 years, making it the most recognized and feared symbol in the world. The Jolly Rogers first appeared in January 1943 on the F4U Corsairs assigned to VF-17, the deadliest Navy fighter squadron of World War II. By the end of the war, the original Jolly Rogers had claimed 154.5 kills in the skies over the Pacific. In 1946, VF-17 was redesignated as VF-5B and then again in 1948 as VF-61 as the Jolly Rogers transitioned from the F4U to the F-8 Bearcat. VF-61 later moved on to the Navy's first jet fighters, including the F-9 Panther, the FJ-3 Fury, and the F-3H Demon, before being decommissioned in March 1959. In June 1959, the VF-84 Vegabonds were redesignated as the Jolly Rogers to preserve the tradition and history of "The Bones." The VF-84 Jolly Rogers eventually transitioned from the F-8 Crusader to the F-4 Phantom and finally to the F-14A Tomcat in 1975. After the VF-84 was decommissioned in October 1995, the decision was made to retire the "Club and Cloverleaf" insignia of the VF-103 "Sluggers" and have Fighting 103 adopt the Jolly Roger insignia and the Tactical callsign "Victory" on October 1, 1995. Before assuming the Jolly Rogers name and insignia, VF-103 had a long history of successfully completing all assigned missions while flying increasingly complex and capable aircraft. The squadron, which was commissioned in 1952, flew numerous sorties in Vietnam and achieved the only night MiG kill of the entire conflict. By adopting the Jolly Rogers insignia, VF-103 became the fifth home for the Skull and Crossbones, preserving the rich history and multiple achievements of all Jolly Rogers across four generations and four fighter squadrons. VF-103 made its last deployment flying the F-14B Tomcat in 2004 on the USS John F. Kennedy, conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In February 2005, the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and was re-designated as VFA-103. The Jolly Rogers of VFA-103 continue to uphold the traditions of excellence and professionalism in Naval Aviation. With the Jolly Roger emblem proudly displayed on their aircraft, the legacy of "The Bones" looks set to continue for many more years to come.
