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Northrop YF-17 "Cobra" Prototype #1 |
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Two prototypes of Northrop's Air Combat Fighter design were built in 1973-74. YF-17 "Cobra" Number 1 is at the Western Museum of Flight, Hawthorne, California. YF-17 "Cobra" Number 2 is at the US Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. YF-17 "Cobra" Number 1 made its first flight at Edwards AFB on 9 June 1974 with Northrop Chief Test Pilot Hank Chouteau at the controls. It went supersonic in level flight, without afterburner, on its second flight.
Both YF-17 "Cobra" prototypes were employed as F-18 demonstration vehicles in the 1976-1979 time period. They were flown by pilots from NASA, the US Navy, the USMC, and foreign countries. Between 1980-1985, both the YF-17 "Cobras" remained in a preservative cocoon state at the Northrop Palmdale, California facility.
YF-17 "Cobra" Number 1 has been placed on loan by the USMC to the Western Museum of Flight for restoration and long term static display.
| Northrop YF-17 "Cobra" Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Northrop Corporation, Aircraft Division, Hawthorne, California |
| Number Built: | Two: Prototype #1 (s/n 201569) |
| Wing Span: | 35 feet |
| Overall Length: | 55 feet, 6 inches |
| Overall Height: | 14 feet, 6 inches |
| Wing Area: | 350 sq. feet |
| Clean Takeoff Weight: | 23,000 lbs. |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight: | 30,630 lbs. |
| Speed (Maximum): | Mach 1.95 |
| Speed (Cruising): | Mach 0.85 |
| Ferry Range (W/Tanks): | 2,800 miles |
| Service Ceiling: | 60,000 feet |
| Powerplants: | (2) GE YJ101 Turbojets rated at 15,000-lb thrust. (Note: The YJ101 was the prototype to the F404 engine installed in the McDonnell Douglas / Northrop F/A-18 "Hornet" carrier based fighter. |
| Armament: | (1) 20-mm Gatling gun (2) Wing tip IR missiles (4) Pylon stations for stores |
| YF-23A | YF-17 | F-14A | F-5A | A-4A | YO-3A | DH-82A | XAT-6E | JB-1 | 1883 Glider | Gyrocopter | BD-5 | RP-76 | RP-5A | Sail Wing | 108A | KD2R-5 |