I have no idea if the Strike test guys were doing something different in the Hornet for testing, but NATOPS actually calls for hands on throttles (prior to the F-35, obviously). With regard to the above images, I'm not sure if this has been settled, but....
Images "A" and "D" are mirror images of each other, more specifically, image "D" is a mirror of "A", which is the original.
1. The sunlight and shadows are exactly the same in both photos. Something that is highly unlikely to happen during a single shoot.
2. The door that covers the nose gear support brace only opens to the right of the F-18 and should not be visible in image "D".
The same thing goes for images "B" and "C" - "B" is a mirror of "C", which is the original.
3. The sunlight and shadows are again both exactly the same in each picture. More importantly, no self-respecting Naval Aviator would ever go flying without a watch.
4. In image "C", the item circled with a 4 is the square "LOCK/SHOOT" annunciator mounted on the right side of the canopy bow. In image "B", the annunciator is now mounted on the left side of the bow. This is incorrect, and in fact where the large cylindrical map light should be mounted instead.
5. The audio jacks that are fitted into some Hornets are mounted on top of the UFCP, and to the right of the HUD camera. In image "B" the jacks are clearly shown to be to the left of the HUD camera, which is incorrect.
6. The letters on the side of the pilot's helmet appear to be "NL", referencing the airwing's two-letter identification code. In image "B", the N and L are clearly reversed.
Also, for what it's worth, they're called "towel racks", named after what you hang a towel on.
Hope that helps.
