VF-1b High Hats (VF-14 Tophatter) F4B-1 Model

VF-14 TopHatters F4B ModelFly with TopHatters of VF-14 in this hand crafted F4b. Each piece is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you'll love.Length - 12 inchesWingspan - 18 inchesSince its inception the squadron has flown 23 different type aircraft, had its designation changed fourteen times, operated from 20 different aircraft carriers (and several battleships) and had 81 commanding officers (the 82nd is now in command).Over the years the squadron has been assigned many different missions, including patrol and observation in its early years, and scouting, attack, fighter, bombing and forward air control missions when it became associated with carrier-based operations. The squadron adopted the classic Top Hat as its squadron patch and called themselves the "High Hats"Early yearsThe squadron began carrier operations on board the Navy's first aircraft carrier USS Langley in 1926. The squadron, then designated Fighter Plane Squadron One, set the record for carrier landings in a single day. Flying the TS-1, they logged 127 traps by the end of flight operations.In 1929 the squadron was assigned to USS Saratoga, where it began as a fighter squadron and transitioned to a bomber squadron. Throughout the 1930s, it flew the Boeing FB-5, Boeing F2B, Boeing F4B, Curtiss F11C Goshawk, Curtiss SBC Helldiver and the SB2U-1 Vindicator. In 1939, while flying the Vindicator, the squadron was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet and USS Ranger.1940sWhile on Ranger, the squadron provided air support for the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. During the four days of 8 November - November 11, the pilots destroyed 16 enemy aircraft. Flying the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, the squadron participated in Operation Leader, the only American naval air strike against German forces in Norway.In November 1944, the squadron transferred to the Pacific Fleet, and participated in the Leyte Campaign while

• Handcraft from Mahogany
• US Naval Aviator Owned Business
• Highly detailed with minimal decals
• Matched against historic photos
• Heirloom Pieces