camaroz06 Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 (edited) Hello all, I am planning to build a 1/32 acad. F-18C, and I want to replace the cockpit with a resin one. But I cant decide on what cockpit to buy the late or early version. I was just wondering when does an early hornet become a late hornet? What range of years is considered an early hornet, and what range is considered a late hornet? Thanks eddie Edited October 26, 2006 by camaroz06 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
camaroz06 Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 ok I found out a late hornet is one that has a BuNo. of 164196 and up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Heck, I think some of the rest of us benefitted from that! Out of curiosity, what are the most notable cockpit differences between the two, can you tell? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 (edited) There are generally two differences, the seat and the shape of the center MFD. Unfortunately, they didn't happen at the same time, so one could say there are really three cockpits. Initially, the F/A-18C used the SJU-5/6 seat and the upper corners of the center MFD were square. At BuNo 163985, they changed to the late IP with the upper corners of the center MFD cut at an angle. At BuNo 164196, they changed to the SJU-17 NACES seat. Both CE and BB do "early" and "late" pits with the early pit having the SJU-5/6 seat and early IP, and the "late" pit having the SJU-17 and late IP. Neither do the intermediate configuration with the late IP and the SJU-5/6 seat; you'd have to buy the "late" set and the early seat seperately. As a practical matter, most people just worry about the seat difference and use BuNo 164196 as the cutoff between the early and late pits. HTH. Edited October 26, 2006 by Dave Williams Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starfighter-33 Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Clear as mud! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Hey Dave since you guys were already in the thick of things just wondering how about external differences between the early and late F-18C? When do you see those support brackets on the vertical stabs? Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Hey Dave since you guys were already in the thick of things just wondering how about external differences between the early and late F-18C? When do you see those support brackets on the vertical stabs?Eric Dave Roof may chime in with the answer, but if not, I have a posting Dave did on HS long ago that breaks down when certain things appeared on the F/A-18C. It's at home, and I can check it tonight. IIRC, without my refs handy, the three tail brackets appeared on earlier C and D models. The tail was internally reinforced on later Lot aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 That and the IFF "Bird slicers" antennas appeared on later Charlies as well ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Here's the info from an old Dave Roof post: External tail stiffeners deleted: 163699 and up Late IP: 163985 and up SJU-17 seat: 164196 and up -402 engine: 164693 and up GPS dome: 164945 and up Dual Chaff/flare buckets: 165171 and up 5-blade IFF bird slicers: 165222 and up Of the above, the IFF and GPS dome could be retrofitted to earler F/A-18Cs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 (edited) Dave & Gregg thanks for the helpful hints... Eric Edited October 26, 2006 by speedlimit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chriss7606 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 One more noticeable difference between the early and late C's: The IFEI (Integrated Fuel and Engine Indicator) on the early C's were old fashion tape and dial indicators. They were replaced by a digital screen on the late-lot aircraft. The IFEI are the instruments on the lower left side of the instrument panel (under the left screen). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 One more noticeable difference between the early and late C's: The IFEI (Integrated Fuel and Engine Indicator) on the early C's were old fashion tape and dial indicators. They were replaced by a digital screen on the late-lot aircraft. The IFEI are the instruments on the lower left side of the instrument panel (under the left screen). I had always understood that the digital fuel indicator at the bottom left was a difference between the A and C IPs, not between early and late C. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chriss7606 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Also no one pointed out the taller, swept back antenna on the spine (aft one) and under the nose (by the nosegear well). Those were common on late lot C's and have been retrofitted to some A's and earlier C aircraft. Also the "turkey feathers" were slightly different because the late C's has GE-F404-EPE (Enhanced Performance Engines) added. These may have been retrofitted to earlier aircraft too. One other change was that the canopy was given a gold tint to reduce its radar reflection. I hope this helps some. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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