{"product_id":"mcdonnell-douglas-fa-18d-hornet-usmc-vmfaaw-224-bengals-wk00-mcas-iwakuni-japan-2009-hobby-master-172-ha3569","title":"McDonnell Douglas F\/A-18D Hornet - USMC VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals, WK00, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan,\/ HM 1:72 HA3569","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMcDonnell Douglas F\/A-18D Hornet\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch1\u003eUSMC VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals, WK00, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 2009\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch1\u003eHobby Master 1:72 HA3569\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn May 1, 1942 VMF-224 \"Bengals\" was commissioned and in 1951 received their first jet, F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952 VMF-224 became VMA-224 flying the Panther. In 1965 VMA-224 went to Vietnam and in 1966 received the A-6A Intruder and a unit name change to VMA(AW)-224. In 1993 saw yet another unit name change to VMFA(AW)-224 and upgraded to the F\/A-18D Hornet. Starting in January 2009 the Bengals spent time at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan until July that year. F\/A-18D 164886 was ATARS equipped (Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System), electro-optical sensor package which replaces the nose gun.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#3500ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMcDonnell Douglas F\/A-18D Hornet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDesigned 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#0007ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHobby Master \"1:72 Air Power Series\" diecast airplanes feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMolded metal construction with plastic components.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRealistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eopening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtended \/ retracted interchangeable landing gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisplay stand to display the aircraft \"in flight\".\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45614231257243,"sku":"HA3569","price":157.84,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0657\/9214\/7611\/files\/49784.jpg?v=1791903558","url":"https:\/\/passiondiecast.com\/products\/mcdonnell-douglas-fa-18d-hornet-usmc-vmfaaw-224-bengals-wk00-mcas-iwakuni-japan-2009-hobby-master-172-ha3569","provider":"Passion Diecast","version":"1.0","type":"link"}