I always thought the YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter was the most interesting of the two prototypes that competed in the fly-off to be the next generation of fighters and was saddened a bit when it lost to the YF-22 (Now evolved into the F-22 Raptor). I have read that in many ways it outperformed the YF-22 and even some saying that the second best was chosen for various reasons.
I loved the futuristic look of the aircraft and a couple of kits grace my collection. It’s too bad that only the two prototypes were ever built, which both now reside in museums
yea i like the yf-23 too the black widow. yea it did out perform the f-22 but the only reason it was chosen because it was more stealtheir against radar. but to me the f-23 is much better looking [8D]
I retired from the Navy Feb 85 and started my second career with Northrop Grumman Corporation. I was hired in the Logistics branch for the ATF. Once my TS clearance was approved I was briefed on my upcoming logistics support analysis duties on the structure of this A/C. When I first layed my eyes on the full scale mock-up, my jaw hit the deck. [:O] I had not imagined an A/C that looked like that. Both NGC and Lockheed were to have two flyable A/C ready to go on a specific date. We at the YF-23 heard [;)] that Lockheed was having troubles with their YF-22 wing. We figured they may be late with their 2 flyable A/C. Then the USAF approved a 6 month extension for Lockheed, that’s when we at YF-23 knew they would win the competition. They Did. I had a chance to talk to a test pilot that had flown both, and he said hands down the YF-23 was the best. Oh Well, Northrop Grumman Corp. had another carrot dangled in front of it’s nose by the USAF. F-20 comes to mind. tomcat4ever, I will disagree with you on the stealthier of the 2 A/C being the YF-22. One of the requirements was super cruise without afterburner, the YF-23 cruised supersonic below 100%.
tomcat4evt, were you a tomcat flyer or fixer? I was in the VF-114 Aardvarks for the last F-4J cruise then we transitioned to F-14A’s, 1975-77. I was a metalsmith, and between the hydraulic system, 52 gpm as opposed to 26 gpm, and the structural problems issues, the whole airframes shop was busy. Glad I made flight deck troubleshooter for the cruise, the AMS shop was humpin all cruise keeping them tomcats up.
Zactoman is currently building a 1/32 kit in resin of the YF-23. It has been in gestation for a couple of years now, but he is amazing and very detail oriented.
check out his site for the current status of the kit
I have been reading a few articles here and there and one was saying that the only thing the 22 was better at was manuverability due to its thrust vectoring. It also said that the reasons claimed for the aircraft choice was that, the 23 was more expensive to produce and questions as to the ability of N/G to deliver a production run on time. Another source also hinted at the whole A-20 thing being a factor as well…I’m no expert so these are just others opinions I have seen…
