There was a post earlier that referenced the HB YF-23, but the subject wasn't clear, so I figured I post this up in case others are searching for some info on this kit.
A bit of history for those of you who might not be up to speed: The YF-23 was the Northrop / McDonnel Douglas entry into the Advanced Tactical Fighter competition set up by the US Air Force to designate a successor to the F-15. By many accounts, the YF-23 was a more technically advanced prototype than the General Dynamics/Boeing entry which won, the F-22 Raptor. To the Raptor's credit, it was a proven design, and much closer to a finished article than the two YF-23 prototypes PAV-1 and PAV-2.
I was really excited to see that this model was going to be available when FSM released a Workbench Review a few months back. I added the model to my mental "Buy It" list. You can read his review here: http://www.finescale.com/Products%20and%20Reviews/Kit%20Reviews/2014/02/HobbyBoss%20YF-23.aspx
Last month, I swung by the local LHS, and there she was. A quick swipe of the plastic card in my wallet, and she was mine. Got it home opened it up to look at all the pretty bits. I also fired up the inter webs to see what the other folks out there think, and was surprised to see all of the internet ink that has been spilled about this kit.
The Good:
This is a BIG kit. If you have the Academy or Hasegawa F-22, you will have an idea of the size of this aircraft. Nose to tail it is almost 17.5 inches (44 centimeters) long, and 11.5 in (29 cm) wingspan.
Cockpit is nice, with raised detail. Instrument panel is fairly good with a decal that should snuggle down nice. The ejection seat is a 4 part assembly, with shoulder belts, but inexplicably no lap belts provided, either molded or as decals.
Two part intakes provide a bit of detail behind the openings, but there are no impellers at the engine end of the intake. They will be a bear to clean up from a seams standpoint.
Wheel wells are fairly detailed, and the landing gear appear to be molded well and accurately. LG is very detailed and accurate.
The engine troughs a a close representation, at least of those on PAV-2.
The Bad:
This kit is expensive, and the parts count is light. Those facts alone seem to have caused a number of folks to to declare this kit a "pass and wait for a better option".
Panel lines are delicate, but aren't accurate when compared to the prototype.
Decals are provided for a hypothetical aircraft deployed with the 94th Fighter Squadron, the Fighting First. You get 4 US insignias, some tail codes, an air refueling door markings, and a couple of unit shields. If you want to build a PAV, you will need to find a set of the excellent Caracal decals that were released a couple of months ago.
No provisions for posable LE or flaps/ailerons.
An internet build posted somewhere indicates that the kit supplied styrene main landing gear are already showing the strain of supporting the weight of the model. Unfortunately, the mains are a unique design with a trailing arm off of the main vertical component - similar to an F-18 gear leg, but different. If you are going to scratch this in, it will take a bit of engineering and work. I've already been noodling this for a bit and think I have a solution.
The Ugly
Much of the angst surrounding this kit is a function of the molding of the dorsal fuselage area. The prototypes were built making extensive use of area rule shaping. The most recognizable examples of area rule designs are the 'wasp waisted' designs of the Century series fighters such as the F-105 or the B-58 Hustler.
To my eye, many of the delicate (and attractive) curves of the prototype are lost in this molding. It is extremely heavy handed, and doesn't even appear to be aerodynamic, much less part of a super cruise aircraft. Plenty of work with putty and sandpaper will be required to get something close to accurate.
A second area that will need some attention is the engine troughs if you want to represent PAV-1. This version used the P&W YF119 engine, which ended up losing to the GE YF120 which is now used in the production version of the F-22. The YF119 had a longer, narrower engine trough than the YF120 on PAV-2. Hobby Boss has molded the troughs from PAV-2.
Finally, the shape of the engine intakes is wrong, and some surgery will be necessary to correct.
Final Conclusions:
This kit has some well publicized draw-backs. That said, absent the CollectAire resin version, this is the only 1/48 or larger version available. Built out of the box, it will be a good representation of one of the US aircraft industry's most innovative efforts. Spend some time super detailing this bird, and you might have a contest winner.
Best, Marty