DPD1 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Someone mentioned this to me... I had never noticed. He said he was looking at some F/A-18s and noticed that the engine nozzle feathers were different. Not only jet to jet, but also two types on one jet. One appears to have notches cut out of the corners on each blade, and the other doesn't. I assume that corner was maybe sticking a bit, and the ones with the notch is an update? Anyway... I knew some smart people here would probably know what the deal is. Here's each type... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/FA-18.engines.RAAF.jpg http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/601-700/walk615_F-18F_Cochran/09.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 There are different part numbers, it doesn't really matter what goes where, it all depends on what supply has in stock. There was an TD to certain part number outer flaps for 414, to bend in the stbd corner if you are looking forward to prevent binding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keroburner89 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) The first image is a RAAF F/A-18A with GE F404-402. I believe the notches appeared on the upgraded F404-402 variant The second is an F/A-18F Super Hornet equipped with the GE F414 They're two different engines... Edited March 24, 2015 by Keroburner89 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DPD1 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 The photos were just examples of how they look. The guy who noticed this, noticed that two VFA-122 birds had one of each type, on each plane. So I guess the notch is the updated version, and it's just a fluke what each one might have, and they don't have to match? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Some of us noticed this last summer and discussed it in the super hornet thread in the research section. We've even noticed engines may have both styles installed at the same time. -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caiotfjr Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Some of us noticed this last summer and discussed it in the super hornet thread in the research section. We've even noticed engines may have both styles installed at the same time. -Gregg Everyone who had built a Hasegawa's 1/48th legacy Hornet knew that ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Everyone who had built a Hasegawa's 1/48th legacy Hornet knew that ;)/> ;)/> ;)/> ;)/> ;)/> We're discussing Super Hornets. :whistle: :whistle: -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 It doesn't realyy matter what outer flaps go where, if you order part number A, and all supply has is part number B, that's what you get. It doesn't hurt or affect anything. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) It was an ECP on the F414. The notched VEN outer flaps will replace by attrition the un-notched version. F404 started it life without notches but now all have been replaced. Each engine is treated as a separate unit. A maintenance action to one does not necessarily mean the other is affected. That's why you can have two engines installed with different VEN flaps. Edited March 24, 2015 by graves_09 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Horrido Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Does the situation ever cause problems for maintainers with OCD issues? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Not at all, whatever gets the job done quicker :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neeko Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Does the situation ever cause problems for maintainers with OCD issues? Nope. I was always OCD about the wear levels inside the nozzles. The different look between engine feathers and airframes is what made them unique and different, in a sea of haze gray and TPS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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