DogOnPorch Posted August 1, 2008 Report Posted August 1, 2008 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... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0T36ensXXo B-47 in action... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vew62sQ-KCw Any aircraft...civilian or military...post away! ------------------------------------------- There is no such thing as too much tail. ---Kelly Johnson: Skunkworks Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
bush_cheney2004 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Posted August 3, 2008 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.org/wiki/Lockheed_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. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Wild Bill Posted August 3, 2008 Report Posted August 3, 2008 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... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0T36ensXXo B-47 in action... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vew62sQ-KCw Any aircraft...civilian or military...post away! ------------------------------------------- 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! Quote "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." -- George Bernard Shaw "There is no point in being difficult when, with a little extra effort, you can be completely impossible."
Shakeyhands Posted August 4, 2008 Report Posted August 4, 2008 The Gloster Meteor???? How could you not pick the first Allied jet airplane???? http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/Gloster_Meteor.html Quote "They muddy the water, to make it seem deep." - Friedrich Nietzsche
DogOnPorch Posted August 4, 2008 Author Report Posted August 4, 2008 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 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 ...even the B-36 was a whisper compared to one of these at full power.----------------------------------------------- Curse you, Red Baron! ---Snoopy Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
bush_cheney2004 Posted August 4, 2008 Report Posted August 4, 2008 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 and 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 ...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. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
DogOnPorch Posted August 4, 2008 Author Report Posted August 4, 2008 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. ------------------------------------- Sqdrn Leader: Stop that Polish chatter and turn to 2-3-0! Poles: Repeat please. Repeat please. --- Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Army Guy Posted August 5, 2008 Report Posted August 5, 2008 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. Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
White Doors Posted August 5, 2008 Report Posted August 5, 2008 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. Quote Those Dern Rednecks done outfoxed the left wing again.~blueblood~
DogOnPorch Posted August 6, 2008 Author Report Posted August 6, 2008 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. ------------------------------------------------ Aviation is fine as a sport. But as an instrument of war, it is worthless. ---General Ferdinand Foch, 1911 Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
White Doors Posted August 6, 2008 Report Posted August 6, 2008 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. Quote Those Dern Rednecks done outfoxed the left wing again.~blueblood~
White Doors Posted August 6, 2008 Report Posted August 6, 2008 And who can forget the sopwith camel and the dehavilland mosquito? Quote Those Dern Rednecks done outfoxed the left wing again.~blueblood~
Army Guy Posted August 6, 2008 Report Posted August 6, 2008 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.... Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
Army Guy Posted August 6, 2008 Report Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) 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 August 6, 2008 by Army Guy Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
White Doors Posted August 6, 2008 Report Posted August 6, 2008 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.... haha the canvas saved the mosquito from crashing alot, but yes no armour for the guy flying it for sure. and a wooden frame to boot on alot of it. Quote Those Dern Rednecks done outfoxed the left wing again.~blueblood~
AngusThermopyle Posted August 6, 2008 Report Posted August 6, 2008 Actually the Mosquito was constructed of plywood which gave it unusual strength and durability. It was without a doubt one of the most versatile planes of WWII filling the role of both fighter and bomber. A precursor to the modern fighter bomber concept we utilize now days. Quote I yam what I yam - Popeye
GostHacked Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 Fighter jets, Russia's Fulcrum (Mig 29), Sweden's Grippen (JAS 39) and Viggen (JAS 37) Cargo/Commercial - Antanov 225. I have yet to see this plane in person. Such a mammoth. Old school?? DeHavilland Dragon. At an air show here in Ottawa I had the chance to touch the Mig 29's nosecone ... I felt Mother Russia speaking to me !!! The pilot who threw this thing around in the air showed what that sucker can do. Holy damn impressive. Quote
Army Guy Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 At an air show here in Ottawa I had the chance to touch the Mig 29's nosecone ... I felt Mother Russia speaking to me !!! The pilot who threw this thing around in the air showed what that sucker can do. Holy damn impressive. And what did she say ? You do know that for a small fee, and a russian Visa, the Russian airforce will take you for a spin, in a bunch of thier aircraft...i believe they still have a web site up and running.... I'am not a big fan of the airforce, but before all the restrictions were put on our F-18's they used to put on a good show as well, seen a F-18 pilot fly the length of the runway at 50 km's an hour at full power, i know it's pretty slow but for a fighter it's a feat... nose up at about 60 degrees of angle impressive for a jet fighter, Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
DogOnPorch Posted August 7, 2008 Author Report Posted August 7, 2008 The later MiGs and Sukhois have excellent thrust to weight ratios allowing some crazy moves like tail stands etc. Antonovs land here on occasion. They look like they are crushing the airport. Saw one next to a Boeing 737 parked on the same ramp...the difference was almost comical. DeHavilland Dragon: Saw one in Abottsford once way back. One of the sky diving clubs owned it...maybe they still do. Bright red, it was. The Mosquito is also a great aircraft. A true multi-role aircraft, The early unarmed recon versions were the fastest planes in the skies in 1941. The Camel was great but like many rotary powered WW1 planes...a devil to fly. The Sopwith Snipe was the ultimate Allied aircraft. Canadian ace Billy G. Barker's final dogfight was in a single Snipe vs dozens of Fok Dr VII's! The only P-52 I'm aware of was Bell's XP-52. However, there was the P-82 Twin Mustang...used in Korea briefly. Cessnas are terrific civilian craft...but my dad tended to end up with Pipers (140...then a 180) which are also great private craft. Ford vs Chevy in the air. Some US aircraft during WW2 carried cannons. But they were indeed few. The P-38 and P-39/P-400 were cannon armed. The P-39 had a 37mm in the nose which due to the drop of the shell was almost useless. Pilots used to scrawl seperate aiming points on the windscreen for it as the MG bullets always stayed higher before gravity got hold hitting something else. The P-400 saw the 37mm replaced by a 20mm...still useless. In the Pacific they were death traps while in Russia they enjoyed success as ground attack aircraft where the 37mm proved more useful. -------------------------------------------------- What's a P-400? It's a P-40 with a Zero on its tail. ---Aviation joke: Guadalcanal, 1942 Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
GostHacked Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 And what did she say ? You do know that for a small fee, and a russian Visa, the Russian airforce will take you for a spin, in a bunch of thier aircraft...i believe they still have a web site up and running.... She said .. 'get in'. If I had the cash.... in an instant. I have flown cessna's and also jumped out of one. Skydiving was pretty expensive untill you do the first jump, then you would have gladly paid double the money for that experience. It would be worth it to sit in a Mig29, or SU27 during some stunts. Quote
Army Guy Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 here is one it's a model kit, just a quick find, there are other sites but most get the P-51 and P-52 mixed up. Notice how the cockpit is set way back....a quick search did not find any others. I'll keep looking... p-52 Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
Army Guy Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 If I had the cash.... in an instant. I have flown cessna's and also jumped out of one. Skydiving was pretty expensive untill you do the first jump, then you would have gladly paid double the money for that experience. Jumping is a rush, but all i've down is army jumps out of a herc and a few helos not the same, all were static line....army jumping is different it's free at first it's later you pay, smashed knees and back....but i'd love to try free fall... As for the jet ride, not a chance of letting some airforce guy torture me until i puked....i don't care how fast they go....but i'll bet ejecting gives a whole new meaning to jumping.... Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
GostHacked Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 As for the jet ride, not a chance of letting some airforce guy torture me until i puked....i don't care how fast they go....but i'll bet ejecting gives a whole new meaning to jumping.... Not a fan of roller coasters are you? Quote
Army Guy Posted August 7, 2008 Report Posted August 7, 2008 Not a fan of roller coasters are you? Not really, been on the worlds longest roller coaster ride , the herc ride from camp mirage into kanadar, flying fast and low very low , for most of the trip....takes all i got not to puke, can't let them airforce guys tell stories about the army guys..... Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
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