Most Immortal War Plane

[Rifleman]

[quote]By definition of the question (immortal)(will not die)

The old B-52...

[Scorpiоn]

Despite my hate of liquid-cooled engined aircraft, I have to give it to the Mustang.

[Crumbso]

Even if just for the sound of it (so sort of graceful yet powerful and that kinda half whistle as it passes.) The spitfire is definately king.

[Brett_Henderson]

I would think that the B-52 isn't in the running by your definition, its still a young pup  ........there are some DC-3's still in active service and they are almost 70 yrs of age now

I suppose some DC-3's are still in active military "service" somewhere  ???

But the B-52 has been a front-line heavy bomber for the worlds biggest / most powerful Air Force,  for some 40 years,, (with more to come)

[robbo1]

I say a plane that surprisingly hasnt been mentioned... one of the most versatile planes ever produced, and is still in production to this day... nearly fifty years since the first model rolled off the line.  The C-130 Hercules is one of the greatest military aircraft of all time.  

[Deputy]

Because of one person, the Red Baron. . . .

[Blade]

The most immortal one is the B-52, its been flying more than half the time there has been powered flight. Its still in service with the USAF, and more upgrades are on the way. Feasably the B-52 could stay in service till 2024!

[ozzy72]

[quote]

[ozzy72]

She is lovely indeed Brensec, second only to a Spitfire or Mosquito in my heart. I still get great pleasure from watching this underated warbird doing her stuff.

Ozzy

[Hagar]

I've been following this with interest. It seems most people are confusing the issue. The poll is entitled "Most Immortal Warplane". So what does this mean? To me, it's not the best warplane, your own personal favourite or the longest serving military aircraft in history. It's a single aircraft type that had the most impact & is embedded in the memory for eternity.

One type cannot possibly fit the bill as different aircraft will obviously mean more to some nations than others. The Spitfire is the only possible choice for the UK. Although not completely true it's associated with our salvation during our darkest hour. It has a place in history along with Sir Francis Drake & the defeat of the Spanish Armada. There aren't many people in these islands who have never seen or heard of a Spitfire.

[RichieB16]

I've been following this with interest. It seems most people are confusing the issue. The poll is entitled "Most Immortal Warplane". So what does this mean? To me, it's not the best warplane, your own personal favourite or the longest serving military aircraft in history. It's a single aircraft type that had the most impact & is embedded in the memory for eternity.

Yeah, that was the point I was trying to make.  Which aircraft has made the most impact in our "memory."  This is why I chose the Dr.1, because I think of the Red Baron when ever I think of areal combat.

[Oz]

The Dr.1 refined the idea of 'dogfighting'
The Spitfire and Hurricane brought victory to England during the Battle of Britain
The Mustang helped the allies advance in the european theater by destroying german facilities and finishing off the Luftwaffe and was used by designers to examine how swept-wings could affect aircraft speed and performance
The P-47 is another plane which helped bring the defeat of the Nazi war machine (i dunno why nobody's said that)
The F-86 revolutionized the airplane by introducing a new type of engine -- the jet engine.
And id have to say that the F-117 and B-2 were the planes that introduced stealth to the world.

So in a way, all planes created in the history of aviation have affected major world events -- be it in the 1900's, 40's, 50's, 60's and so on, therefore making it virtually impossible to name the most immortal one is my opinion

[ATI_7500]

The Dr.1 refined the idea of 'dogfighting'
The Spitfire and Hurricane brought victory to England during the Battle of Britain

nope. if the germans had continued bombing facilities and air fields instead of towns,the RAF would have lost the bob.

The Mustang helped the allies advance in the european theater by destroying german facilities and finishing off the Luftwaffe and was used by designers to examine how swept-wings could affect aircraft speed and performance
The P-47 is another plane which helped bring the defeat of the Nazi war machine (i dunno why nobody's said that).

you can't say that. there were many other planes ,like the spitfire,which helped the allies advance. and the luftwaffe had a great lack of pilots ,so the were not able to attack every allied fighter over germany or france. and finally,they also fought over russia.

The F-86 revolutionized the airplane by introducing a new type of engine -- the jet engine.

wrong again. the f-86 was the best plane of the korean war,but the Me 262 was the first successful war plane with jet engines - already during WW2.

[Oz]

Now wait a sec.

nope. if the germans had continued bombing facilities and air fields instead of towns,the RAF would have lost the bob.

ATI, hello?? Did you actually analize what i said

[Hagar]

Hey, steady on Oz. However unfair this might be on the Hurricane, the Spitfire is the symbol of the RAF victory in the BoB. It became a legend in the hearts of the British people which I believe is unique in the history of aviation. It's generally accepted by historians that if the Luftwaffe had continued attacking fighter bases & radar installations instead of London the outcome might well have been completely different.

ATI is correct about the Me 262. It was the first operational military jet in service. Most were used as bombers on Hitler's insistence so its potential as a fighter was never really assessed.