Mystery aircraft nose? Whatizit?

[T33driver]

A buddy of mine asked for help identifying what looks like a radome (he wants to get rid of it) he got with a bunch of unrelated industrial scrap material. Anyone got any ideas? Let's hear from the throbbing WIX brain.

Last edited by T33driver on Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[12XU2A3X3]

mock up? RAM pannels?

[michaelharadon]

Did he pick it up in Roswell?

[The Inspector]

Fairing for a possibly bad a$$ jet ski or a blazing fast toboggan

[Jack Cook]

I think I saw that on the Jetsons!

[Kyleb]

Cargo pod that fell off a minivan.

[warbird1]

It looks reminiscent of the A-12/D-21, but I don't think that's what it is. I doubt the government would let something like that out of their hands. Is it possible that it's some kind of mock-up or possible prop for a Hollywood movie? What material is the nose made out of - metal or fiberglass?

[tinbender2]

If that is clear erosion tape on the front, then it was probably designed to go at least 500 kts.


Having seen some unusual stuff released through govt auctions, I wouldn't be surprised if it was stealth related.

[CAPFlyer]

Agree that it looks like a YF-23 nosecone. USAFM and NASM would be very interested in that piece of equipment.

[sdennison]

Full Monty? Need more angle.

[Fouga23]

My guess would also be YF-23

[T33driver]

Thanks for the creative responses, I knew I could count on you guys. Jack and Kyleb, your posts win "best of show" . Just heard back from an old squadron bud who's a former USAF F-4 WSO, C-130 navigator and was one of the lead cockpit/avionics designers for the F-22 at Lockheed-Martin. Here's his response when I asked him if it could be from a YF-23.

why, yes it is, and in pristine condition, no less. the flat top is the dead give-away that it is from the YF-23, and a long story indeed about stealth and the need for a portion of the airframe to have a sharp edge (the chine that goes all around laterally), rounded bottom, and flat top. The YF-22 is a bit inverted, with a rounded top and flat bottom. Same-same effect.

[Jack Cook]

Glad to have been there for ya brother

[wendovertom]

I bet he can get a heck of a lot more for it as is rather than scrap!

Tom P.

[ZRX61]

It looks reminiscent of the A-12/D-21, but I don't think that's what it is. I doubt the government would let something like that out of their hands.

Don't bet on it. When Clinton(?) retired the SR71's there were a bunch of spare rudders that popped up in the LA Recycler for $500 each.