Differences between the F/A-18A and F/A-18C?

I believe the only externally visible differences are the "bump" antennae behind the cockpit. Maybe add-on stuff like the "pizza box" on the nose, too, but that would vary by date and individual aircraft.

Differences between ALL FA-18C and FA-18A include the 2 antenna bumps behind the cockpit on the spine, 2 additional bumps on each side of the nose (1 just under the forward tip of the LEX and another just above the nose formation strip light), an antenna bump on the large forward nose gear door, deletion of the antenna bumps under the intakes, and an additional fairing on each fin between the 2 already there.  Further differences that depend on the particular jet being modeled are possibly a different seat (early jets have the SJU-5, later use the SJU-17 NACES seat), some late-lot C aircraft have dual ALE-47 buckets under the intakes instead of the single bucket ALE-39 used on earlier jets, and certain lots have slightly different exhaust nozzle petals with a notch on one corner, depending on what engine is installed.  Also, FA-18A jets were retrofitted with external braces on the base of the fins; on the C model these were strengthened internally.  Some C models were fitted with the bird-slicer IFF antenna on the nose, but not all, and these would also be seen on updated FA-18A+ jets but not on standard FA-18A jets.   Lastly, only FA-18C/D and FA-18A+ jets are able to employ AIM-120 missiles, JDAMs and JSOWs.  Earlier FA-18A models don't have the right wiring for this.

Don't forget that one of them should have a "C" and the other should have an "A" on the aircraft placard.

Frank,

I just scored the Revell 1/48 Blue Angels kit from Evilbay that arrived today. Having built this particular kit twice before, it comes with extra parts to build from an "A" to a "C" Bug. I am planning to build it to the "C" Bug for my Mig Killers II GB.

Many thanks for the help fellas!

Sounds like converting a "C" to an "A" is quite an undertaking.  I appreciate all of your help- now I just have to decide whether to backdate the kit or build it as is.

 

Daywalker wrote:

Many thanks for the help fellas! Sounds like converting a "C" to an "A" is quite an undertaking.  I appreciate all of your help- now I just have to decide whether to backdate the kit or build it as is.

Actually it is quite simple undertaking.   Not sure what scale & kit you are using but I just backdated the Academy 1/32 kit. Shaving off the antennas & bumps or not putting certain antenna on are basic external differences. There are two additional antennas just below the intake lip that are on the "A" and not there on the "C".

 

Not to jump forums but here is a link to a posting on ARC.

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=106894

David

David- That is an excellent article, thank you for posting the link!