Subject: Re: YF-23 Black Widdow
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:08:58 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: [email-masked] 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 2:36 AM
  Subject: YF-23 Black Widdow

  "1/72 Italeri YF-23 Black Widdow" 

  by "René Zass"
  --------------------

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  The YF-23 "Black Widdow" (Northrop/McDonnell Douglas) was the competitor of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (then YF-22 Lightning II) in the advanced tactical fighter program in the last century (maidenflight of the YF-23 was August 27 1990). For Modellers it might be interesting to know that several F-15 componets found theier way into the YF-23 to cut the development costs. These components are the forward cockpit of the F-15E, the front wheel and others which I do not know of.

  Better stealth characteristics led to not as good flight abilities of the YF-23 which had also This and other points (also some political reasons) led to the drop out of the YF-23 in the end. 

  In 2004 Northop refurbished the second prototype for the USAF's interim bomber project, which has also been canceled by now in favor for a long-term replacement. But maybe Northop will use the YF-23 as a starting point for this as well...

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  The Italeri model is/was as far as I know the only one in 1:72 scale (Dragon also had one - but I think it was the same kit in a different packing, with a different price tag) and provides sufficient detail level with a slightly-more-than-basic cockpit including a multipart ejection seat, side consoles, instrument panel and a simple HUD. The panel lines are raised and the wheel wells and weapon bays are deep and also a bit detailed. Some missiles are also included as well as markings for the first dark gunship grey and the second two-tone light grey prototype.

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  I rescribed the panel lines and decided to close the weaponsbay, which required some filler. Filler was also needed on several seams and on some areas which had sinkholes. 

  Although the cockpit has a large canopy I decided that the cockpit detail is OK for me - especially as I did not add a vacuformed canopy and the kit part is a bit on the thick side.  I did not know that the prototype used the F-15E cockpit - maybe I would have used a resin one otherwise. But in the end the model is OK for me - the over all shape of the plane is what I like, so I can be happy when I see it from a distance ;-)

  I decided to make the dark gunship grey first prototype before I got the kit - I like it much more, as it pronounces the aircraft's futuristic look. The decals where typical for the older Italeri waterslides - they are thick, matt and need lots of softener to snuggle down - in combination with Future to reduce silvering as much as possible. But even with a high gloss undercoat and Future there are still some spots of silvering...

  The natural metal area in the exhaust area was done with Testors Metaliser Paint.

  There is no weathering, as I represented the rollout configuration (I had lots of pictures in a german magazine which I could use as a painting reference for the small details, like antennas, landing gear etc.).

  Except for the rescribing, filling and sanding this was an easy and quick build. 

  Cheers, René

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  Photos and text  by "René"