It featured diamondshaped wings with a 47foot span, a thin. Of all the aircraft ever conceived and produced, none can match the engineers artistry of the yf23 black widow ii. As representative of the legion of aerospace advances, we will examine the construction of a 148 northrop yf23 black widow ii. Fsx insider milviz yf23 black widow ii update released. Join us for the inside story of the yf23 told by the people who know her best. The northrop yf23a team personnel chose the name black widow ii commemorating the northrop p61 black widow, the first american aircraft specifically designed as a nightfighter. The yf23 was the most unconventional of the two designs. The only man who flew both the f22 and the yf23 on why the.
The air force prototype fighter that was just never quite. The yf23 was designed for speed and maneuverability. The yf23a gray ghost was the production variant of the yf23 and the yf23 black widow ii was the first prototype. Im not creator i only recorded a movie with this modification. Due to the sensitive nature of certain footage, and the complex. Northropmcdonnell douglas yf23a black widow ii for fs2004. Yf23 he yf23 was an unconventionallooking aircraft. Tribute to northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 black widow. It was in competition with lockheed martins yf22 lightening ii atf program but lost out for reasons unknown. Similar to the yf22, which would become the f22 raptor, the yf23 prototype was an 67footlong, singleseat, twinengine design.
Should the air force have picked the f23 instead of the f22. What we suspect is that northrop are actually reserved for building and developing stealth aircraft but excluding fighter designs. The computeraided design cad files and all associated content posted to this website are created, uploaded, managed and owned by third party users. Yf 23 black widow ii two yf 23 prototypes were designed and built by the contractor team of northrop and mcdonnell douglas as part of the demonstration and evaluation phase of the us air forces advanced tactical fighter selection program, which concluded in 1990. Two yf23 prototypes were built, nicknamed black widow ii and gray ghost. The yf23 lost the advanced tactical fighter program to the yf22, however it has not been made public why. Yf 23 black widow ii declassified its about a jet fighter so advanced that it was poised to play a key role in keeping the free world free during the cold war, by outclassing everything else in the sky. The yf 23 was designed for speed and maneuverability. Weight wise however there is a vast difference with the yf23s empty weight being 100kg whereas. The yf 23 was northrops answer for the us air forces advanced tactical fighter program which developed the first generationfive fighters in the world. The atf evaluation is still classified and details about the yf23s performance are not easy to come by.
Missile bays are used for dogfights or with ai, just remeber to open the bays when you take off. The northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 is an american singleseat, twinengine stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the united states air force usaf. Yf23 black widow ii by bondo phil brandt collectaire. The name of black widow ii following the original northrop p61 black widow twinengine nightfighter aircraft of world war 2 was not an official designation used by the usaf nor by northrop grumman but is believed to have gained steam from an internal contest held by the yf23 team. The yf23 should number in the hundreds as to be able to supplement the u. Anyway, its christmas, and this will make an excellent drop in the toys for tots box. The aircraft featured a tricycle landing gear configuration with a nose landing gear and two main. This is the only complete account of the top secret story behind the creation of the incredible supersonic atf stealth fighter. Hobby boss 81722 148 yf23 black widow ii kit first look.
The two yf23 prototype aircraft fly over the mojave desert prior to arrival at nasas dryden flight center, edwards, california. Jun 14, 2006 the northrop yf23 black widow ii advanced tactical fighter. Southern california historical aviation foundation western museum of flight. The first yf 23 was painted charcoal gray and was nicknamed black widow ii, after the northrop p61 black widow of world war ii. The yf23a black widow ii is a truly awesome aircraft in several ways. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Mar 21, 20 yf23 he yf23 was an unconventionallooking aircraft, with diamondshaped wings, a profile with substantial arearuling to reduce drag at transsonic speeds, and an allmoving vtail.
The two yf 23 prototype aircraft fly over the mojave desert prior to arrival at nasas dryden flight center, edwards, california. The yf 23 prototype is one of two aircraft designed and built by the contractor team of northrop and mcdonnell douglas as part of the demonstration and evaluation phase of the u. It was a sleek, wellengineered kit that built up into an impressive display piece. As well, like the original vf1, the vf23 would sport an array of addon packs that could radically augment its mission capabilities to suit nearly any type of operation. Yf23 black widow ii by bondo phil brandt collectaire 148. It briefly had a red hourglass marking resembling the marking on the underside of the black widow spider before northrop management had it removed. What we suspect is that northrop are actually reserved for building and developing stealth. Yf 23 northrop black widow stealth fighter declassified. Hobbyboss has released the first quarter scale kit and it is a beauty. Jul 19, 2015 how japan may have american northrop grummans yf23 black widow in its airforce. The northrop yf23 black widow ii advanced tactical fighter.
Yf23 black widow ii two yf23 prototypes were designed and built by the contractor team of northrop and mcdonnell douglas as part of the demonstration and evaluation phase of the us air forces advanced tactical fighter selection program, which concluded in 1990. Enter your email address to follow the tactical air network. Northrops yf 23 was competing in the usafs advanced tactical fighter atf competition, battling the lockheed yf 22 for a production contract. Northop mcdonnelldouglas yf23 black widow ii explore the worlds largest, free 3d model library, but first, we need some credentials to optimize your content experience. This is a project that i began about 10 years ago and put on hold when life got in the waya. Northrops yf22 was the direct competitor to the f22 raptor that the air force elected to purchase. Mar 23, 2015 yf23 black widow yf23 could set the stage for northrop grummans next generation fighter proposal. Yf 23 black widow ii declassified is a 50 minute documentary about the making of the northropmcdonnell douglas yf 23 stealth fighter and its flyoff against the lockheed yf 22 in competition for the advanced tactical fighter contract with the air forceas told by the team members who built the airplane. Behind the scenes with the 2010 f22 raptor demonstration team duration.
Here is the northrop yf 23 black widow ii modelers online reference onestop resource for photos and kits. Yf 23 fighter jetair forceusaadvance tactical fighter atfstealth. Northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 black widow ii technology. The yf 23a gray ghost was the production variant of the yf 23 and the yf 23 black widow ii was the first prototype. Such a beautiful airplane that i just had to have oneain 2 of course. All moving tail planes both pitch and yaw missile bays vtol up to open and external missiles activation 2 4 for external missiles. According to the air force, factors in the selection for production of the f22.
All the folders downloaded into my flight simulator 9 folder, including the gauges, panel, sound, and texture files. This is was the competitor for the atf jet plane, its rival was the f22 made by lockheed. F22 yf 23 fighter jets aviation drama from the 1990s. The yf 23a black widow ii is a truly awesome aircraft in several ways. Air force staged a competition with farreaching consequences. Blue angels and thunderbirds fly together over new york city extended compilation duration. Northrop yf23 black widow appliances facebook 26 photos. If you are on mobile, then try requesting the mobile version of the site. It was a beautiful fighter jet that never got the chance shine the northrop grumman yf23 black widow ii. Northrop yf23 black widow youtube yf23 black widow ii pak fa hellraiser youtube russian pakfa i just read about the f35 jsf ii having hot did russia steal the design of the yf23 black widow ii fighter aircraft jet, air force aviation airplanes, aircrafts, pilots, airports, airlines, helicopters. In what may be my favorite installment in our ongoing series on northrops yf23 black widow, we hear directly from famed test pilot paul metz.
Northrops yf23 was competing in the usafs advanced tactical fighter atf competition, battling the lockheed yf22 for a production contract. Similar to the yf 22, which would become the f22 raptor, the yf 23 prototype was an 67footlong, singleseat, twinengine design. Northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 black widow ii fighter. This is an excerpt from the only complete account of the top secret story behind the creation of the incredible supersonic at. At one point, it featured a red hourglass marking which resembled its namesake black widow spider, before northrop management had the marking removed.
This is a onepiece, airtight model that i made out of multipart one i found somewhere else online. Just some conquest on tokyo using the yf 23 black widow ii. Background from all reports, the 1991 next generation air superiority fighter flyoff between the lockheedmartin yf22 raptor and the northropmcdonnell yf23 black widow ii was an extremely close. The f22 raptor is the worlds best fighter, but was its competitor even better. Northrop yf23 black widow stealth fighter prototype by. Finding a 172 representation of the black widow is no easy task, but if found it measures over 11 inches. Two prototypes were built one in gray and the other in black. The computeraided design cad files and all associated content posted to this website are created, uploaded, managed and. Very realistic flight dynamics based on virtual wind tunnel. The northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 is an american singleseat, twinengine stealth fighter. Mar 21, 20 yf 23 he yf 23 was an unconventionallooking aircraft, with diamondshaped wings, a profile with substantial arearuling to reduce drag at transsonic speeds, and an allmoving vtail. This is a unique fighter, its very stealthy, and can go. Join us for the inside story of the yf 23 told by the people who know her best. We need to overhaul our f15 and f16 fleet and supplement a combat hardened airforce with the yf23.
It was in competition with lockheed martins yf 22 lightening ii atf program but lost out for reasons unknown. The yf23 prototype is one of two aircraft designed and built by the contractor team of northrop and mcdonnell douglas as part of the demonstration and evaluation phase of the u. The yf23 black widow, one of my favorite jet fighters that never was. The northrop yf 23a team personnel chose the name black widow ii commemorating the northrop p61 black widow, the first american aircraft specifically designed as a nightfighter.
This is the only complete account of the top secret story behind the creation of the. Unlike lockheed martins yf 22 which looks a bit awkward, the yf 23 had the lines that just looked right and from all available reports, had excellent handling and performance characteristics. F22 yf23 fighter jets aviation drama from the 1990s. It was ta flyoff between the lockheed yf 22 and northropmcdonnell douglas yf 23 demonstration fighters. The kit is 94 parts with the upper and lower fuselage being one large piece each. The yf23 was northrops answer for the us air forces advanced tactical fighter program which developed the first generationfive fighters in the world. While the aircraft is functional in all listed platforms, it is not designed or coded to our current high milviz standards. Unlike lockheed martins yf22 which looks a bit awkward, the yf23 had the lines that just looked right and from all available reports, had excellent handling and performance characteristics.
Of all the aircraft ever conceived and produced, none can match the engineers artistry of the yf 23 black widow ii. The cockpit was placed high, near the nose of the aircraft for good visibility for the pilot. Yf23 photos on dfrcnasa site yf23 black widow ii, declassified. I downloaded the northropmcdonnell douglass yf 23a black widow ii from the downloads listed for fs 2004. Yf23 he yf23 was an unconventionallooking aircraft, with. Yf23 black widow ii declassified is a 50 minute documentary about the making of the northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 stealth fighter and its flyoff against the lockheed yf22 in competition for the advanced tactical fighter contract with the air forceas told by the team members who built the airplane. They are both excellent aircraft, performed similarly, and. Yf23 black widow ii in the late 1970s, concern arose among military planners about the aging design first flight in 1972 of the f15 and the possible loss of future air superiority of the fighter. Yf 23 black widow ii in the late 1970s, concern arose among military planners about the aging design first flight in 1972 of the f15 and the possible loss of future air superiority of the fighter. The yf23 is slightly longer at 21m but has a wingspan of only m. According to reasonably accurate sources, the t50 pakfa is approx 19.
The design was a finalist in the usafs advanced tactical fighter atf competition, battling the lockheed yf22 for a production contract. May 23, 2019 the name of black widow ii following the original northrop p61 black widow twinengine nightfighter aircraft of world war 2 was not an official designation used by the usaf nor by northrop grumman but is believed to have gained steam from an internal contest held by the yf 23 team. It was ta flyoff between the lockheed yf22 and northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 demonstration fighters. Today, many are quick to proclaim that it deserved to win against lockheeds yf 22. I remember seeing this back in the day and thinking wow they actually built firefox.
The yf 23, has become one of the most enigmatic and misunderstood flying machines of the jet fighter age. Air forces advanced tactical fighter atf selection program. Dec 01, 2006 there was no official usaf nickname for the yf 23a. Dec 04, 2011 northrop yf23 black widow youtube yf23 black widow ii pak fa hellraiser youtube russian pakfa i just read about the f35 jsf ii having hot did russia steal the design of the yf23 black widow ii fighter aircraft jet, air force aviation airplanes, aircrafts, pilots, airports, airlines, helicopters citydata forum. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Here is the northrop yf23 black widow ii modelers online reference onestop resource for photos and kits. Detailed, highresolution, updated reflective dxt3 textures.
How the northrops new f23a black widowii may look like. Oct 18, 2016 the yf 23 black widow, one of my favorite jet fighters that never was. Yf23 black widow ii, northropmcdonnel douglas the yf23 was a stealth airsuperiority fighter, which lost the competition with the y f 22. This is a unique fighter, its very stealthy, and can go supersonic without afterburners. It dates from our early days as an aircraft developer, and as such represents a snapshot of years past. Testors release of its 172 yf23 atf model occurred almost simultaneous with the unveiling of the black window itself. The model was subsequently released in the mid1990s with. While these features make the vf23 an exceptional craft when compared to its contemporaries it still isnt sufficient for the craft to be able to face down its intended prey. In 1986, the defense department pit two american aerospace giants against each other to produce such a plane. Northropmcdonnell douglass entry was this plane, the yf 23 black widow. I cant find the original source or id post it, but as a disclaimer, i did not create all the geometry myself. Northrop yf23 black widow ii modelers online reference. Afterburner effect that works realistically when ab command is selected.
The classic series yf23 black widow ii is not a brand new release. Yf23 black widow, grey ghost rc model test flight 25. The prototype northropmcdonnell douglas yf23 black widow ii is aircraft fighter who has competed with the yf22 lightening ii. Just so happens i did find one, after the fact, and built it. Documentary on the northrop yf23 black widow copyright.
1273 1302 835 741 856 352 975 633 202 1249 1263 1016 495 1153 342 1153 94 1128 917 788 616 1054 1064 241 1171 1118 139 1416 739 28 258 554 612 1429 876 663