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Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Northrop YF-23

Wednesday, 30th January 2008 by James

Continuing the thread of unique plane finds is this sighting of a Northrop YF-23 .

y23.jpg

Specifically, this aircraft is YF-23 model PAV-2, which was nicknamed “Gray Ghost”. We know for a fact that it’s this model as only two were built, and the other one was painted black. ;-)

What’s interesting about the YF-23, apart for its brilliantly bizarre wing-shape, is that it came very close to being a staple fighter of the American Air Force.

Looking for an upgrade to the aging F-15 Eagle model, the US Air Force awarded contracts to two potential replacements: the YF-23 and the now-common F-22 raptor. It’s not been revealed why, but the F-22 won the competition and the YF-23 model was scrapped.

After the engine was removed PAV-2 was placed on display here, in a car-park outside Northrop Grumman’s factory in El Segundo.

Further information on the plane is, of course, available on Wikipedia.

Thanks: McMaster_de.

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(12 votes, average: 3.83 out of 5)
Locations: California / Categories:

3 Responses to 'Northrop YF-23'

  1. 1. Lee says: January 31st, 2008 at 12:14 am

    Both planes are amazing, but I’m suprised the project was scrapped and they didn’t find a use for it.
    Great find guys =]

  2. 2. Expander says: January 31st, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    May be the same YF-23 “Gray Ghost” before beeing moved from Western Aerospace Museum in Hawthorne L.A. from Live Search Maps (Bird’s eye view):

    http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pnmg1r544790&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=900265&encType=1

    …and now at Northrop Grumman’s factory always from Live Search Maps and Bird’s eye view::

    http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pnn596541fdt&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7021100&encType=1

    Note: Live Search Maps works only with Micorsoft Internet Explorer !

  3. 3. nova72 says: January 31st, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    large type font/ advertising nearby to west
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

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