DrumBum Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 Hi all, I am working on a Hasegawa FA18C and will be completing it as an RAAF A model. But the decals I was planning to use represent the jet later in its life when it had 5 thin blades installed on the nose in front of the windscreen. I am unsure how to model these but I am guessing very thin plastic card cut to size. My questions are: 1. when did these blades appear on RAAF hornets 2. what are they 3. are they available in 1/48 after market. Regards DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT7567 Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Can't answer your first question, but the nose antenna you're referring to is part of an improved IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe) system. I believe the antenna itself is the same for upgraded "Legacy" Hornets used by several nations (several F-16 variants have had similar mods added over the past couple of decades). As for aftermarket, not my scale but this showed up on a quick search - you may find more options with some Google-fu. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/maw-decals-48-r004-f-a-18c-and-d-late-lot-nose-with-iff-antenna--136034 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 (edited) CT is correct, these were added as part of the HUG programme. hopefully the kit includes or indicates all the other external modifications which RAAF Hornets had acquired by then, cheers, Pappy Edited September 16, 2022 by Pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmy Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 I've often seen them referred to as Bird Slicer IFF antenna, installed when the RAAF's Hornets underwent the HUG upgrade. So your model may or may not need them depending on the time period or markings that you wish to base your model on I think this is a good reference: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/raafhornetpg_1.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBum Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 Thanks very much for the help folks, very helpful indeed. I didnt realise how many changes the RAAF has made. the plan is to make a reasonably late use jet from early 2000's so I guess I will start practicing on some thin card for the IFF blades! Now I have no exscuses....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2DeeBee0 Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 G'day mate If you're looking at doing a post-HUG bird, there is an a/m nose that can be bought which includes the IFF antennae. IIRC I got mine from Sprue Brothers for my 3SQN Op Slipper a/C. Pretty simple conversion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2DeeBee0 Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 Depending which Has kit you have, make sure you get the right tails too. There is also a pack available from Sprue Brothers for the tail stiffeners which pretty much all RAAF Legacy's had & aren't in the kit I don't think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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