YF-23

[AVeryNiceSpacePenguin]

The YF-23 is a fighter prototype made by Northrop, and has been recreated here in KSP. It went up against the YF-22 concept, and thought it had a more advanced engine, low radar cross section, and a longer range, it fell out to the YF-22 due to some unproven technologies, a complex rotary weapons bay, and overall bad management. The YF-22 would be granted extra funding, and would become the venerable F-22 Raptor, and the YF-23 would forever stay a prototype.

 

I used a new technique for the nose, using antennae as a "wireframe", and then offsetting the landing gear to match the frame. This allows for such impressive results such as here.

I used @Servo's air-brake design for the engine vectors. (and also the small mistake of having a 4-poster stabilizer instead of a 2-poster. whoops!)

Rear view

[Klapaucius]

I remember when this competition was going on and the planes were in the news.  I was sad the YF-23 lost. I realize this should not be the first consideration, but from simply an aesthetic point of view, it was one of the coolest looking fighters ever made.

[Pds314]

Very nice although the real thing had a pure V-tail. No additional horizontal elevators.