This is the ROUND, color version of the squadron patch for VF-31. However, it has no words — does it really need any?! The mascot “Felix The Cat” is perhaps one of the most well known characters in the world. They have since transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet with an incredible history. The squadron was originally known as the “Shooting Stars”, but took the original “Felix the Cat” mascot from VF-3. After the Battle of Midway, VF-3 and VF-6 swapped designations on 15 July 1943, resulting in a three-year controversy as to which squadron owned the Felix name and emblem until VF-3 was re-designated VF-3A on 15 November 1946, and awarded the official approval to adopt Felix the Cat by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). VF-3A was then re-designated VF-31 on August 7, 1948. The emblem and mascot is the famous cartoon character Felix the Cat, running with a large spherical black bomb with a lit fuse. The yellow field and outline were omitted from the aircraft and four stars at the end of a pair of sweeps were added. This emblem can be seen on the fuselage of the aircraft above the wing of their historical aircraft. Several well-known aviators have flown with Felix on their shoulders, including Charles Lindbergh and Butch O’Hare. The nickname Tomcatters was adopted in 1948. This patch does not have velcro attached.
