F/A-18A/C differences

[blackhawk7]

Hi there,

I'm planing on building 1/48 F/A-18A in the colours of the RAAF's 20th Anniversary Scheme for the F/A-18. Seeing as the Hasegawa F/A-18A is OOP and I couldn't find any, I though I might get the -C instead. But before I do, I was wondering if there where any major external differences, if any, and how I could orrect them?

Thanks,

Tom

[Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy]

Major external differences...well, most of it is antennae fit, IIRC. There are more antennae fairings on the upper trailing edges of both vertical tails of the C, plus blister-fairing-antennae on the spine behind the cockpit of the C. I know there are a couple of others, can't think specifically off the top of my head...Dave and Joe are the best ones to answer this.

Basically the C airframe is almost just like an A with a lot of extra electronic goodies added in small fairings and blisters.

How to correct them...well, I know when I backdated my 1/72 Hase C to an A, I cut off the blister fairings on the spine, and I was lucky that the kit came with both A and C tails. I suppose it isn't IMPOSSIBLE to file/sand off the extra fairings on the tails, but it was nice having the choice. Anyone know if the Hase 1/48 birds come with both tails?

Edited September 21, 2007 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy

[MickeyThickey]

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1...ford/tnt100.htm

Kit-wise, the only 'issue' with using a -18C is the tail - you'll have to file off the extra bulge mentioned. The kit only comes with the C-tail, so it's two minutes with a sanding stick. Otherwise, it's just a matter of leaving off the RWR bulges Hasegawa would otherwise have you glue on.

(and note of course that RAAF Hornets don't have the spotlight, so just ignore that bit.)

Edited September 21, 2007 by MickeyThickey

[Harv]

(and note of course that RAAF Hornets don't have the spotlight, so just ignore that bit.)

Also, IIRC, the Aussie Hornets had the launch bar removed from the Nose Wheel Landing Gear, and the Main Landing Gear has a *slightly* different arrangement from USN Hornets, similar to the Canadian version. All this from my feeble memory; perhaps others with knowledge will verify/correct my ramblings...

[Mark M.]

When I built an F/A-18C I had to backdate it to an A for the decals I was using. Here's the ARC article with bullet points of what needs to be done:

http://www.s205409446.onlinehome.us/Fea1/8...ller/fea866.htm

I'll copy and paste the bullet points here:

1. The C has 3 sets of ECM bumps on each side of the forward fuselage. The A only has the one directly behind the radome. I lost the radome bumps with sanding, so I cut off the rear bumps and moved them forward!

2. The A doesn't have the ECM bumps on the spine behind the canopy. The "A" model has an ECM bump underneath both intakes. The bumps were separate pieces, so I simply moved them.

3. The C has 3 set of antennaes on each tail. To make it an A tail, you need to remove the middle antenna from each tail. Easy enough to fix.

4. The C has an ECM bump and blade antenna on the right front gear door, while the A only has the blade antenna, which is positioned a little bit ahead of where it is on the C. I'm not sure about this blade antenna, but it's there. And it stays.

[The_Animal]

When I built an F/A-18C I had to backdate it to an A for the decals I was using. Here's the ARC article with bullet points of what needs to be done:

http://www.s205409446.onlinehome.us/Fea1/8...ller/fea866.htm

I'll copy and paste the bullet points here:

1. The C has 3 sets of ECM bumps on each side of the forward fuselage. The A only has the one directly behind the radome. I lost the radome bumps with sanding, so I cut off the rear bumps and moved them forward!

2. The A doesn't have the ECM bumps on the spine behind the canopy. The "A" model has an ECM bump underneath both intakes. The bumps were separate pieces, so I simply moved them.

3. The C has 3 set of antennaes on each tail. To make it an A tail, you need to remove the middle antenna from each tail. Easy enough to fix.

4. The C has an ECM bump and blade antenna on the right front gear door, while the A only has the blade antenna, which is positioned a little bit ahead of where it is on the C. I'm not sure about this blade antenna, but it's there. And it stays.

:blink: :blink:

Uh, If I take a pic of the F/A-18C tail and fuselage parts from my wife's BLUE ANGEL model. Could ya point out the places where I have to do surgery?

Sorry, dude, I'm a dumb-@$$ visual learner. :D

[Mark M.]

Look here at this A:

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/images/fa18aomarsje_1.jpg

Look at the aft (trailing) edge of the tail fins, above the rudder.

Now look at this C:

http://www.skyline-apa.com.au/images/KAF-a1.jpg

See how there's an extra tube-like sensor sticking off the back of the vertical fins, between the two you find on the -A?

To backdate a C to an A, carve off the middle one, so that it looks like it was never there.

[David Hingtgen]

One of the most-often missed differences is where the F-18A has bulges, but the C does not. (it's also physically about the largest one)

Underside of the intakes, right behind the lip. Look for a long, skinny antenna bulge. Somewhat triangular in shape from the side. On each intake, but one side has a longer one. The A has them, the C doesn't. I know the Hase 72nd kit has them molded on all versions, but doesn't mention to remove them for the C.

The Academy 32nd kit includes them on the sprue, but makes no reference to them.

You can see both of them here: http://www.s205409446.onlinehome.us/AWA1/0.../spence0107.jpg

Also, this one has the port one painted in a much lighter grey than the rest of the plane, easy to spot: http://www.s205409446.onlinehome.us/AWA1/0...r/Port_Gear.jpg

Edited September 22, 2007 by David Hingtgen

[Mark M.]

Actually, the C has them, but they were moved from underneath the intakes (on the A) to behind the cockpit on the spine (on the C). Same bumps I believe, just different location. On the Revell 72nd C/D they were separate pieces, so I just glued them in a different spot. I just now checked my Hase 72nd -C and it has them separate, as well. That makes things easier.

[blackhawk7]

Thats for all the info guys about the ECM bump's n lump's, sounds like it shouldn't be too hard to convert