This plane was supposed to be a joint plane for the airforce and Navy. The program was dropped an the plane became the f-18. So I was able to score an early f-18 and f-16 in 1/32 let the fun begin.
I’ll be interested to see how you do this. There were some noticeable changes to the YF-17 to turn it into the F/A-18.
I remember when this aircraft was flying. I think it was called the Hornet at the time, the tail even had a hornet painted on it, but had not heard it was supposed to be for the Air Force too.
Back in the lste 70s/early 80s there was a 1/32nd kit available from Hasegawa. At keast Im pretty sure it was Hasegawa.
If I recall correctly, the YF-17 was given the name “Cobra”. It was developed by Northrop in competition with the F-16 for the LWF (Light Weight Fighter) program. The Hornet came later, as an evolution of the YF-17.
I worked at McDonnell Douglas during those competitions. There are many horror stories about the effort, and the bad feelings between Northrup and McDonnell on that/those aircraft. Depending on which company you were with, the stories varied from taking a nameplate and building a new airplane around it, to taking an old airplane and fixing a new nameplate on it 
I’d say the truth is somewhere in-between. But personally, even being an ex MDC employee, I think Northrup got screwed in the deal. MDC had good lawyers!
Thanks
I have the early f-18 with hornet on tail and I have f-16a. I also have 1/32 f-5e from Konami which has the the right shape nose. I not looking for a exact copy of the prototype but looks like. Those who felt that wrong company one this is not the only fighter that got cancelled. The same goes for ship classes good lawyers = contacts
I definite want want to see this. I remember seeing the Cobra at Edwards on year at their open house air show on ground display. A very good looking aircraft.
There is about 0 parts common between the YF-17, F-16 and F-18. How are you going to combine the last 2 to get the YF-17? Scratchbuilding is really the only option here.
Hi,
It sounds like you should be able to come up with something that looks reasonably similar to the YF-17, even if it won’t be an exact copy.
I’m really interested to see your progress. Sounds like a fun project.
Pat
There is a 1/72 YF-17 resin kit from Anigrand.
Top down is the best way to compare the difference:
