Hobby Master 1/72 HA2850 YF-23 "Gray Ghost" PAV-2, AF ser.no.87-0801,1990 (with 3 xAIM-120,2 xAIM-9)

Limited Edition 1,500

The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 is an American single-seat, twin-engine, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The design team was a finalist in the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) demonstration/validation competition, battling the YF-22 team for full-scale development and production.

Two YF-23 prototypes were built. The second aircraft, #87-0801, was designated Prototype Air Vehicle 2 (PAV-2) and made its first flight on 26 October, 1990 using the callsign "Gray Ghost". This aircraft is currently on display at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, California.

Designed to meet a US Air Force requirement for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) to replace the F-15 Eagle, the YF-23 demonstrator was first flown on August 27th, 1990. The USAF's ATF program aimed to produce a fifth-generation air superiority fighter that would be better matched against emerging new aircraft such as the Su-27 Flanker. After a four-year development and evaluation process, the YF-22 team was selected in favour of the YF-23 in 1991. Although the YF-23 was stealthier and faster, it was less agile than its competitor.