Northrop / Grumman / McDonnell YF-23 Prototype

The Northrop/Grumman/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was a fighter aircraft prototype developed for the United States Air Force. The YF-23 was a finalist in the US Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter competition.

It lost the competition to the Lockheed YF-22, which went into production as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

The YF-23 was designed to meet the USAF's requirements for survivability, supersonic speed (supercruise), stealth, and ease of maintenance. Stealth in all aspects was considered a top priority during its development. The YF-23 was an unconventional-looking aircraft with trapezoidal wings, a substantial wing area, and a V-tail. Similar to the B-2, the YF-23's engine exhaust flowed through troughs lined with heat-ablation tiles, which protected the exhaust from infrared missile detection from below. The flaps and ailerons on both sides are deflected in opposite directions to generate roll. Pitching was achieved by moving both V-tails, and yaw by moving them in the opposite direction. Simultaneously deflecting the flaps downwards and the ailerons upwards on both sides provided aerodynamic braking.

Plastic model kit

• Dimensions (assembled): Length 445 mm / Wingspan 292 mm
• 90+ parts
• Clear parts included

Scale 1:48

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included