Cobra F.1

[MartG]

Cobra F.1

In 1977 Northrop were successful in selling their failed contender for the USAF LWF competition, the F-17 Cobra, to the RAF as an interim supplement to the Lightning. Whilst still a formidable opponent, the Lightning airframe was beginning to show its age, lacking development potential in terms of advanced avionics, and still suffered a shortfall in endurance compared to more modern types. By selecting the F-17 the RAF were seen by some to be buying the 'losers' from the USAF procurement process, but were able to demonstrate that the aircraft met the requirments of the UK defence environment better than the F-16, the most important point being twin engine reliability for overwater operation. An additional factor was Northrop's willingness to agree a favourable production licence with BAe, largely driven by a desire to recoup some of the development cost without a large order from the USAF. The RAF order was expected to lead to follow-on orders from Canada and Australia, however deliveries of the F-17 were curtailed after 49 of the planned 120 aircraft had been delivered, due to Northrop's legal tangle with McDonnell over intellectual property rights to the F-18 ( it is believed McDonnell hoped to gain sales which would have gone to the Cobra ) , forcing the RAF to retain several Lightning squadrons whilst a replacement was sought. Whilst Canada and Australia did eventually buy the F-18 ( though not in the numbers that the Cobra would have sold ), the RAF refused to deal with McDonnell as the company was perceived in the UK as having used unfair practices to prevent the completion of the Cobra order.

Built from the Anigrand kit, with underwing pylons and tanks from a Hasegawa F-16. Decals are from a Tornado F.3with No.92 Sqd badges from a Phantom - had to go for No.92 Squadron due to their squadron badge being of a cobra.  

[MartG]

[Brian da Basher]

Nice one, Mart! I really like those cool almost lovw-viz British roundels on it.

Brian da Basher

[Shasper]

How the Ani kit, any good?

Shas B)

[MartG]

How the Ani kit, any good?

Shas B)

Went together quite well, with minimal need for filler - though I've decided I hate vacform canopies ! Undercarriage is quite fragile though, and I also decided to ditch the kits wingtop Sidewinders and use some I had in my spares box.

Got another 4 of Arnold's kits in my stash - think I'll have a go at the XF-103 next  

[NARSES2]

Really nice Mart, always liked the F.17 - something very "Russian looking" about some of those photos.

Chris

[Archibald]

Very nice... lovely kit, and fascinating backstory. Also nice having some precision on anigrand kit details, building and the like
A F-103 whiff would be great!!! What a plane...  

[Joe C-P]

Nice work.  B)

JoeP

[K5054NZ]

Cracker! Absitively brilliant! The Cobra sure was a sweet-looking plane, such a shame it never got past Vehicle 1. And I'm so pleased to see an Anigrand kit made up as a whif, too! (no offence to Scott van Aken) Those markings look perfect on her!



Slightly OT, but whatever happened to the YF-17 prototype/s?

[Nick]

There were two prototype aircraft and a fullsize mockup.

The mockup was on the USS Intrepid museum in NYC but has been moved since.

BuNo 72-1569 is at the Western Museum of Flight, Hawthorne, CA. This is due to close on 1st August 2006.

BuNo 72-1570 was at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola. Then placed on loan to the USS Alabama (Mobile, AL) which had a severe battering from Hurricane Katrina. It might be on display there.

Nick B)