We didn't get to see it for nearly another decade or so, though.

"The existence of the aircraft was officially acknowledged in 1988" – https://www.britannica.com/technology/F-117

Certainly, the precursor to the above game, F-19, was released in 1988, with the assumption that the plane looked something alike that on the box-art.

Me:

> Also, I remember seeing a model kit in the window of a model shop in North London, well before the plane was announced to the public. Must have been in the 80s.

Note "well before the plane was announced to the public"

This would have been far before 1988.

Multiple model kits of the F-19 were released in the 80s (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-19#Notable_appearances_in_me...) - they have a vague resemblance to the F-117, but I don't know of any releases of F-117 models before it was officially revealed.

The shop in between Holborn and Tottenham Court road, by any chance? Always loved that place.

In regards to the model and the time, I suspect you're mistaken, but .. meh.

> The shop in between Holborn and Tottenham Court road, by any chance?

Beatties, I think. I used to pop in there on my way home from Touche Ross, accountants, where I had a mangement gig - I used to think "If only I had back then compared to what I do now ..." - and had grand designs for an N-guage railway setup - girlfriend vetoed it. Never bought anything. Ooh, but wait, I do seem to remember buying my little nephew an R/C car there!

Regarding the F177, the shop was in Southgate, North London, cannot remember the name, oposite tube station, but I am right :-)