The ‘Challengers’ of VF-43 were established in May 1945 as VF-74A, then went through many name-changes: VF-74 in August 1945, VF-1B in November 1946, VF-21 in September 1948, VA-43 in July 1959, then VF-43 in June 1973. They operated a mix of Douglas A-4Fs and TA-4Fs Skyhawks, Northrop F-5E and F-5F Tigers, General Dynamics F-16N and TF-16Ns, and the North American T-2C Buckeyes, all for the sole purpose of providing air combat training to the Fleet fighter squadrons. This is their squadron patch……note the ’30’ on there…not sure what that means and does not have velcro attached.
