546 replies to this topic

[DogOnPorch]

Well...I have two really. One is the B-47 Stratojet...grandpappy to all modern civilian jet transport aviation. Both the Boeing 707 and the DC-8 borrowed heavily from the Stratojet. The other is the remarkable B-58 Hustler which like the SR-71 was light years ahead of its time.

B-58 in action...


B-47 in action...


Any aircraft...civilian or military...post away!


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There is no such thing as too much tail.
---Kelly Johnson: Skunkworks

[bush_cheney2004]

Interesting thread but a nearly impossible choice. Watched too many episodes of "Wings" and "Great Planes" in the 1980's for that. These planes live on at YouTube and Google Video (yes, they included the Avro Arrow). But if a single choice be the price of admission, I choose:

The Lockheed Constellation ("Connie")

http://en.wikipedia....d_Constellation

...because it ushered in widespread use of pressurized cabins for affordable commercial traffic, smashed (and still holds) endurance records, had several military variants, and nostalgically, flew in and out of my airspace with TWA badging on a daily basis even as jet airliners made it obsolete years before. The unmistakeable sound and sight of that "triple tail" meant another Connie was still airworthy.

[Wild Bill]

Well...I have two really. One is the B-47 Stratojet...grandpappy to all modern civilian jet transport aviation. Both the Boeing 707 and the DC-8 borrowed heavily from the Stratojet. The other is the remarkable B-58 Hustler which like the SR-71 was light years ahead of its time.

B-58 in action...


B-47 in action...


Any aircraft...civilian or military...post away!


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There is no such thing as too much tail.
---Kelly Johnson: Skunkworks

I don't know why, especially since their heyday was before I was born but I've always been fascinated by the DC-3!

I've read books on its history and how during wartime it had a reputation of getting you there through thick and thin, even with half the wings shot off.

I live beside Hamilton, Ontario, which is home to the Canadian Warplane Federation at the Hamilton Airport. They're always looking for new members to help maintain their planes, including a Lancaster. All their planes fly!

Part of the new membership deal they offer is a ride in the Lancaster. I wonder if they'd think me "lower class" if I asked for the DC-3 instead!

[Shakeyhands]

The Gloster Meteor???? How could you not pick the first Allied jet airplane????

http://www.wingweb.c...ter_Meteor.html

[DogOnPorch]

Got a close look at a Super Connie that was being restored in Arlington Washington (not Virginia!). A very beautiful aircraft. Never flew on one, but have spent many hours in DC-6s and DC-7s as far as big propliners go. Here's an old photo of it during the restoration.

DC-3s are wonderful aircraft and the odd one can still be seen flying around my area. Much like a DC-6, you gotta love the growl from those big motors. Alongside the likes of the old PBY Catalina, it was a true pre-WW2 workhorse that served for decades after the war ended.

The Meteor is an odd one to choose...but is indeed a remarkable jet. I believe it actually saw real action vs MiG-15s in the early days of Korea but didn't fare too well due to the MiG's obvious superiority. The engines on the Meteor...much like those of the Me-262 were also very prone to flame-outs and fires.

For noisy prop powered aircraft...nothing beats this old monster...even the B-36 was a whisper compared to one of these at full power.

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Curse you, Red Baron!
---Snoopy

[bush_cheney2004]

Got a close look at a Super Connie that was being restored in Arlington Washington (not Virginia!). A very beautiful aircraft. Never flew on one, but have spent many hours in DC-6s and DC-7s as far as big propliners go. Here's an old photo of it during the restoration.

Thanks for the link....the Constellation has such beautiful (compound) curves!

For noisy prop powered aircraft...nothing beats this old monster...even the B-36 was a whisper compared to one of these at full power.

Yea..see that's the thing...those of us who are old enough can remember the distinctve deep drone of large radial engined aircraft. Even today, when the fly-ins for Oshkosh bring old warbirds overhead, the sound readily announces that something different is in the air today. Look ma...no hush kit!

Joyrides in a B-17G went for $400 back in 2005.

[DogOnPorch]

Thanks for the link....the Constellation has such beautiful (compound) curves!
Yea..see that's the thing...those of us who are old enough can remember the distinctve deep drone of large radial engined aircraft. Even today, when the fly-ins for Oshkosh bring old warbirds overhead, the sound readily announces that something different is in the air today. Look ma...no hush kit!

Joyrides in a B-17G went for $400 back in 2005.

Conair had an old DC-6 flying out of Prince George for years on firefighting duty. When they replaced them with turbo-prop Electras the skies did become rather dull. The days of A-26 waterbombers was also cool. They'd head out in fairly large groups at times looking like a scene from WW2. We at least still have these great flyingboats for the time being...

I was reading-up on what happened to that particular Super Connie. Apparently it's gathering bird's nests in Manila! What a waste.

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Sqdrn Leader: Stop that Polish chatter and turn to 2-3-0!
Poles: Repeat please. Repeat please.
---Battle of Britain

[Army Guy]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the P-51 Mustang, but as military aircraft go's it's got to be the A-10 tankkiller, now thats one killing platform.

[RB]

I fly the cessna - i wouldn't change

[White Doors]

Spitfire
Hawker Hurricane
The Lancaster
The Zero

lots of great aircraft.

also the p52!



The Italians had some ferrari looking fighters in ww2 as well, but their tactics and training were not up to snuff.

[DogOnPorch]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the P-51 Mustang, but as military aircraft go's it's got to be the A-10 tankkiller, now thats one killing platform.

Plentiful, long-legged and fast...but undergunned, unfortunately (6 x .50 cal). I do like it as an aircraft...especially @ airshows/fly-ins. But when I flew it in IL-2 Sturmovik, I think its drawbacks became apparent when it was one on one against later FW-190s. It's huge advantages, again, were the huge number produced and its range...all the way to Berlin and back.

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Aviation is fine as a sport. But as an instrument of war, it is worthless.
---General Ferdinand Foch, 1911

[White Doors]

yeah, what was it with the Americans having under gunned aircraft? It seems like they almost swore off cannon in WW2 with some rare exceptions.

[White Doors]

And who can forget the sopwith camel and the dehavilland mosquito?

[Army Guy]

Plentiful, long-legged and fast...but undergunned, unfortunately (6 x .50 cal). I do like it as an aircraft...especially @ airshows/fly-ins. But when I flew it in IL-2 Sturmovik, I think its drawbacks became apparent when it was one on one against later FW-190s. It's huge advantages, again, were the huge number produced and its range...all the way to Berlin and back.

I was watching that seris Dog fights, it seemed the P-51 excelled in rate of climb and dive, compared to the 109 and pilots used this to thier advantage. as for the the lack of guns,x 6 .50 cal was at the time alot of fire power, the cal actually does have alot of knock down power, considering each round is the size of your thumb, and can pentrate 1/2 steel plate with ease....

I think they did however regun the P-52 to carry some 20mm guns....

[Army Guy]

And who can forget the sopwith camel and the dehavilland mosquito?

Can you imgine going to battle in a plane made of mostly canvass, or plywood....balls of steel.... of course you can't let the airforce guys know i said that....

Edited by Army Guy, 06 August 2008 - 06:22 AM.