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HELP! F/A-18A BuNo 163143 VFA-97


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Hi all

I'm gonna build an F/A-18A of VFA-97 "Warhawks"!

decals are from 2Bobs 48034 decal sheet; this airplane is a little particular because in painted in a three gray tone camouflage, I think it was the only one in the squadron in that cruise.

Now I got two topical questions:

On Osprey/Aviation "Supercarrier" (by Tony Holmes!) jet BuNo 163143 onboard USS Carl Vinson in 1999 had modex "203", on 2Bobs sheet is reported "201" and "CO" markings on the tails but the BuNo is the same! What was exactly the modex????

On the shots is not possible recognize loading on stations 4 and 6, was it a pure fighter or it carrier Flir and Laser pods?!

Please if someone got some shots or other references let me know! Building this kit is gong to become a little difficult for me...

Thanks in advace and happy modeling everyone!

Alberto Borzellino

Rome, Italy

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Modex numbers can change from time to time, BuNo's stay with the jet its entire lifetime. if the decals and references for the jet your modeling show the modex as 201 for the scheme you are doing, I would say that is correct. Two Bobs has a pretty good reputation for doing good research, so I would go with 201.

As for your second question: the F/A-18 is designed as a duel roll fighter, A/A or A/G or both so depending on the mission it may or may not have a flir pod. I would load it up however you want.

Edited by graves_09
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  • 4 weeks later...

G'day Alberto,

I photographed this aircraft on 2 April 1999 when the ship was visiting Fremantle in Western Australia.

At that time she wore a modex of 203 with 03 on her fin caps.

Can't help you with the other info though.

Follow the links to the pics.

Cheers.

Rodger Kelly

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/rod...BuNo1631431.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/rod...BuNo1631432.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/rod...BuNo1631433.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/rod...BuNo1631434.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/rod...BuNo1631435.jpg

Hi all

I'm gonna build an F/A-18A of VFA-97 "Warhawks"!

decals are from 2Bobs 48034 decal sheet; this airplane is a little particular because in painted in a three gray tone camouflage, I think it was the only one in the squadron in that cruise.

Now I got two topical questions:

On Osprey/Aviation "Supercarrier" (by Tony Holmes!) jet BuNo 163143 onboard USS Carl Vinson in 1999 had modex "203", on 2Bobs sheet is reported "201" and "CO" markings on the tails but the BuNo is the same! What was exactly the modex????

On the shots is not possible recognize loading on stations 4 and 6, was it a pure fighter or it carrier Flir and Laser pods?!

Please if someone got some shots or other references let me know! Building this kit is gong to become a little difficult for me...

Thanks in advace and happy modeling everyone!

Alberto Borzellino

Rome, Italy

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