Original Items: Only One Set Available. VA-44, nicknamed the Hornets, was an Attack Squadron of the US Navy. The squadron was established as Fighter Squadron VF-44 on 1 September 1950, and redesignated VA-44 on 1 January 1956. It was disestablished on 1 May 1970.
This pilots flight uniform and gear grouping is named to Lt. R.E Baker. It includes flight suits, flight helmet with retractable visor and oxygen mask, life jacket and more. All items in photographs are included with the set.
Operational history
VF-44 equipped with F4U-4s was assigned to Air Task Group 1 (ATG-1) aboard the USS Boxer for a deployment to Korea and the Western Pacific from 30 March to 28 November 1953. On 13 June 1953 the squadron conducted its first combat operations against targets in Korea.
September–October 1957: During the squadron’s deployment aboard USS Wasp, its mission was temporarily changed from attack to a fighter role in order to provide air protection for the VS squadrons operating from the carrier.
1 June 1958: The squadron’s mission changed from a light attack squadron to a fleet replacement training squadron. The new mission involved…
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