YF-23 models available?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hello again everyone. Does anyone know if there is a good quatlity 1/72 model of the Northrop YF-23 that competed against the F-22 in the early 90’s. I would like to find one with at least recessed panel lines if possible . I searched this site without any success. Thanks, Herbie

2

DML/Dragon and Italeri had YF-23s in 72nd. The Italeri kit has also been boxed by Testors and Tamiya.

I have owned both kits in the past but I really can’t give you a good comparison because I never looked at them that closely. The DML/Dragon kit has engraved lines while the Italeri kit has raised, if I recall correctly.

Maybe some 72nd builders can give you a more detailed comparison…

Fade to Black…

3

Hi ,yes Dragon produced one some time back.It has resessed panel lines and in 1/72 and
is quite a simple kit.Try looking at www.kingkit.co.uk

4

Revell also had a 1/72 yf-23, it could be a italeri reboxing. Not a lot of details on it, but then again, it is a very slick and stealthy jet.

5

Hi there Herbie. Why don’t you check out ARC: http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/

If you do a search for “f-23”, and follow the Gal Flea Archives link, you should find 3 builds of the Italeri version. The main difference from the Dragon one (which I built myself) seems to be the optional open weapons bay. Incidentally, I would also highly recommend the Dragon kit: it has pretty good fit and looks like a YF-23, wich is a good thing in my book. [8D] Just take care with the tail surfaces though. These are designed to be movable and attached with a plastic pin. After I broke these off, I Milliputted the rear fuselage and drilled small holes, replacing the plastic pins with metal ones. The tail has stayed attached after that [^].

6

I have a copy of the Italeri kit. I had briefly begun work on it a few years ago and did not notice any serious fit, flash or detail issues. It does have a weapons bay and some AMRAAM’s to stick in it. Could use a little more detail, but that isn’t surprising since it was a prototype that was passed over for production and such subjects rarely receive a detailed treatment.

7

Thanks for the replies everyone. I went to ARC and found the models you spoke of Filibert and I agree that it is quite nice. Thanks again for the swift replies everyone, now I will begin the search for the Dragon version.