Photographer unknown - ex USAF 72-1570 - Northrop was one of the candidates for the canadian New Fighter Aircraft (NFA) competition

F18 Prototype

Built for the USAF as 72-1570 as a competitor to the F-16. First flew in 1974. Transferred to the US Navy as 201570 in 1976 and used as an F-18 prototype. Preserved at Pensacola from 1989 then at USS Alabama Park, Mobile, AL from 1996.

This was the second and last YF-17 built. It first flew as USAF 72-1570 on 21 Aug 1974 and was transferred to the US Navy in early 1976, receiving out-of-sequence serial 201570. The aircraft was in a design competition with the F-16, to which it lost. The design then lead to the development of the F-18.

Ex USAF serial 72-1570, transferred to the US Navy in early 1976 as serial 201570. Photographer: Mick Roth

Ex USAF 72-1570, transferred to the US Navy in early 1976. It received out-of-sequence serial 201570, just visible in this photo. Operated by Northrop. Photographer: Jean Magendie

Ex USAF serial number 72-1570, transferred to the US Navy in early 1976. It received out-of-sequence serial 201570, clearly visible in this photo. Operated by Northrop. Photographer: R Ray Leader.

Ex USAF serial 72-1570, transferred to the US Navy in early 1976 as serial 201570. Photographer: Mick Roth

Ex USAF serial number 72-1570, transferred to the US Navy in early 1976. It received serial 201570, which is clearly visible in this photo (one of the US Navy's many out-of-sequence serials). Operated by Northrop. Photographer: Jean Magendie

Ex USAF 72-1570. Photographer: Jean Magendie

Northrop's YF-17 Cobra getting towed away at the end of the day at the 1977 Edwards show

Even though it is basically the original YF-17 (ex USAF 72-1570), still the manufacturers wanted it to look like the F-18 prototype, which -- albeit of the same configuration -- was considerably heavier and with numerous other differences. This aircraft was transferred to the US Navy in early 1976, receiving out-of-sequence serial 201570 (one of many such serials), as seen in this photo. The Paris show number 42 can just be seen below the wing.

This was the second and last YF-17 built. It first flew as USAF 72-1570 on 21 Aug 1974 and was transferred to the US Navy in early 1976. It received serial 201570, which it carries in this photo (one of the US Navy's many out-of-sequence serials). The aircraft was in a design competition with the F-16, to which it lost. The design then lead to the development of the F-18. The aircraft is seen here being towed from the static park to the flight line ready for a very sprightly display.