HA1963 -- McDonnell Douglas F-4B VF-51, CAG Bird, CVW-15, USS Coral Sea "Screaming Eagles"

On February 1, 1943 the "Screaming Eagles" were established as VF-1 but then became VF-5, then VF-5A and finally VF-51 on August 16, 1948. In 1971 VF-51 received the F-4B Phantom II and spent most of the 1970's over Vietnam while they were assigned to the USS Coral Sea. During this period the "Screaming Eagles" shot down 4 MiG-17's. VF-51 had several USN firsts, first squadron to fly jet aircraft, first squadron to operate jets from a carrier. During the Korean War they were the first squadron to fly jets into combat and first to score air-to-air victories. On June 16, 1978 VF-51 transitioned from the F-4 to the F-14A. In March 1995 VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" was decommissioned.

Scale 1:72