ESzczesniak Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 Could anyone give me some idea what this white/light gray panel is, as seen in this photo from the ARC walk arounds... For some reference, this is the underside of the wings, just in front of the flap line. The Two Bobs sheet I have has nothing going on here. But the Kinetic decals sheet has this light gray circle and “Do Not Paint” in the center. I’m trying to figure out what this is, and if it’s persistent on all F/A-18C’s. Thank you for any help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 2 hours ago, ESzczesniak said: Could anyone give me some idea what this white/light gray panel is, as seen in this photo from the ARC walk arounds... For some reference, this is the underside of the wings, just in front of the flap line. The Two Bobs sheet I have has nothing going on here. But the Kinetic decals sheet has this light gray circle and “Do Not Paint” in the center. I’m trying to figure out what this is, and if it’s persistent on all F/A-18C’s. Thank you for any help! I believe its on all the legacy hornet although I do not know why. Probably a sensor or something. I do know that the one next to it (almost rectangular in shape) is a door for one of the tie down points on the airframe. They attached a chain to an anchor point inside it. Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ESzczesniak Posted April 21, 2020 Author Share Posted April 21, 2020 Thank you! I was finding it consistently on A/B walk arounds, but for whatever reason C/D walk arounds are less prevalent. Like you said, given the “Do Not Paint” on some of them, I presume it’s some receiver or antenna. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted April 24, 2020 Share Posted April 24, 2020 On 4/20/2020 at 7:47 PM, speedlimit said: I believe its on all the legacy hornet although I do not know why. Probably a sensor or something. I do know that the one next to it (almost rectangular in shape) is a door for one of the tie down points on the airframe. They attached a chain to an anchor point inside it. Eric Correct but missing some info, the rectangular access panel is a mooring point (anchor stencil) and a Jacking point (stencil with a block and two legs). The Flat white area is a "sensor". Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Najk Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 The circle "sensor" looks like a standard radio altimeter transmitter/receiver panel to me, although I don't know. But that would be my best guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 (edited) Any panel or cover with DO NOT PAINT stenciled on it is most likely a transmitter/receiver/sensor of some type. If you can’t find specific info on the type of sensor consider there’s probably a good reason why. . Edited April 26, 2020 by habu2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Weird location for a radar altimeter. Same goes for any kind of EW gear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 AN/APN-194 RALT antennas on legacy Hornets are on the underside of the aft fuselage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 (edited) The antenna is the AIM-7 WING ANTENNA, it basically is used to check the aft receiver antenna on the AIM-7 while the missile is still loaded on the wing stations. It is present on all F-18A-D aircraft. For those familiar with the F-14, it's the same as the MOAT (Missile On Aircraft Test) Antenna. Edited April 27, 2020 by GW8345 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter1075 Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Doesn't get more definitive than that! I'm glad you're on these boards GW. I learn a lot from your posts! (You too AlienFrog!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Specter1075 said: Doesn't get more definitive than that! I'm glad you're on these boards GW. I learn a lot from your posts! (You too AlienFrog!) Always a pleasure to help out and the kind words are greatly appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 I can tell you...but there's consequences to your ability to ...breathe; it will stop. That's a joke BTW. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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