seawinder Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 There was an ARC thread about seven years ago where someone asked about the disk-shaped dorsal fairing behind the cockpit on CF-188s. At the time, AlienFrogModeller, who had just finished a beautiful model of an RCAF Hornet and seemed to have some inside information, said he wasn't allowed to talk about it. Are we far enough on in time that somebody can share any information about it? I also wonder if any aftermarket outfit has released a 1/48 resin piece. I'll obviously scratchbuild it if necessary ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter1075 Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 (edited) For some reason, I was under the impression that it was related to GPS, but I currently have no idea why I thought so. I tried to find something that would confirm or refute that, but didn't come up with much. Apparently among some of the more recent upgrades included some kind of upgrade to the EW suite, and if people are mum on the details, that could make sense. There is also the possibility of a system to combat GPS interference, but I can't say for certain. Edited July 27, 2022 by Specter1075 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Its just a cover. When R2D2 is not inside doing its super computer thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seawinder Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 Yes, the R2D2 thing figured in a lot of the posted responses seven years ago. Clever, but not totally helpful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Can someone post a link to a pic of this antenna? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 (edited) Here it is: edit: another view: one without in 2014: Jari Edited July 27, 2022 by Finn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Looks like the GPS antenna, similar as you will find on the F-16's Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seawinder Posted July 27, 2022 Author Share Posted July 27, 2022 FWIW, Wolfpack has a GPS antenna as part of their CF-18 package. It's much smaller than the item in the photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seawinder Posted July 28, 2022 Author Share Posted July 28, 2022 I finally looked through the Two Bobs instruction sheet for the decal set. According to them, the item is a Raytheon GAS-1 GPS anti-jamming antenna. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crash Test Dummy Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 The small circular bump aft of the tall blade antenna on the spine looks like a GPS antenna to me. GPS antennas don't have to be that big, even jam resistant ones, I've got one for an RC drone the size of my thumbnail. My guess is a SATCOM antenna. I googled "SATCOM CF-188" and they did get a satellite communication system starting around 2008. It's probably pretty useful over the northern Canada. I couldn't find any photos, but I don't see anything else on the plane that looks like a likely antenna for SATCOM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Specter1075 Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 (edited) No, Seawinder is right. Google images of the GAS-1 antenna and its a perfect match. Edited July 28, 2022 by Specter1075 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAGATIGER Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 On 7/27/2022 at 8:21 AM, phantom said: Its just a cover. When R2D2 is not inside doing its super computer thing. Looks like the top of the head of R2D2 when is on sleep mode Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 I was really hoping it was a mount for a chaingun. Makes all the dogfights much easier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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