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

This Tigereye (FMS serial 84-0194) became 1708 in Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) service. The aircraft was withdrawn from use from 10sq (operating out of Taif/King Fahd Air Base) in the late nineties. Northrop used the aircraft in 1983 during its promotion campaign for the type at the international trade show at Le Bourget.

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.

The Northrop Model 1 Mockup Flying Wing was Northrop's natural progression towards an aerodynamically clean design in which the drag caused by protruding engine nacelles, fuselage and vertical and horizontal tail surfaces is eliminated. However, the N-1M was plagued by poor performance as it was both overweight and underpowered. Nevertheless, Northrop convinced the AF that the N-1 M was successful enough to serve as the forerunner of more advanced flying wings and led ultimately to the B-2 bomber.