Most Immortal War Plane

[RichieB16]

OK, recently I read an interesting article in a magizine (i can't remember which one) but it talked about what they thought were the Top 10 Most Immortal War Planes of All-Time.  So, I thought I would ask you guys since many of you are experts on this; it seems fun to see what you're opinions are.  I decided to not include modern planes on the list (but if you really think they belong on there-thats what the "Other" catagory is for).  Anyway, what do you think?

Personally, I'm going to selected the Fokker Dr.1 simply because when I think of air combat-I think back to the origins of it (WWI).  As a result, I see an infamous red triplane chasing the british and french aircraft out of the sky.  So, my vote goes to the Dr.1.

Anyway, what do you think?

[ozzy72]

Hmm, I think most people will vote for the Spitfire as it was a symbol of our resistance to Germany. It seems to me that this is hardly an objective survey as it comes down to which war you are interested in, me I'm a WWII buff. But I love the Camel too... And the DR.I. was a fascinating machine.

Ozzy

[HawkerTempest5]

A predictable vote from me! The Vickers Supermarine Spitfire.

[Woodlouse2002]

Well although the Dr-1 was an amazing aircraft it was copied from a British design and it wasn't that effective over all.

I think the Spitfire is going to win this. Its the most recognisable name in the world of aviation. I mean, what else could it be?

[ATI_7500]

the SR-71,because it flies too high and too fast for every SAM and interceptor of the whole world.

[Craig.]

the mig 31 had the ability to intercept the SR71, thats why they stopped the spy flights over the soviet union when it came into service
i'd say the A-10 seems to be pretty invincible, look at the huge amounts of damage it can sustain
in the old planes though it has to be the spitfire

[denishc]

 Let's not forget the P-40.  It fought in China, across the Pacific and in the deserts of North Africa.  During the dark days of 1942 the P-40 held the line for the allies and many allied aces got their start in one.

[ATI_7500]

...and it had been shot down by german Bf-109...

[Rifleman]

Well now.........with the short time span from idea to first flight and then all the upgrade improvements, I think the biggest advantadge for a warplane was the ability of the P-51 with its laminar flow wing to escort heavies from London to Berlin and back, is definately right up there with the best, but this is not to take away from the boys who flew the F-6F missions in the Pacific theatre........wow, could that bird take punishment and bring back a highly trained pilot.

[Ivan]

for each side there is one
WW2:
Germans: Fw190D-9 AKA 'Dora-nine', but also the Me262
English: Spitfire and Lancaster
Americans: P-38, Avenger and F4U in the pacific, B-17 and P-51 in europe
Japanese: A6M Zero
Russians: Il-2, Yak-3 and the fast twin engined bomber (Pe-2 or something like that)

Korea:
Mig-15 and the F-86

Vietnam:
US: F-4, A-6, F-111
VC: MiG-21

Afghanistan (1979-1984)
Su-25, Mi-24

Gulf war:
F-15E

Biggest Cold-war icon aircraft:
Bombers: Tu-95(and all variants) and the BUFF(B-52)
Fighters: F-104 and the MiG-21

And y2Cragie: the MiG-31 was built as an upgrade to the MiG-25. The MiG-25 was built to intercept the Sr-71 (as the DoD wants you to believe) but only the recon variants managed to get to speeds above MACH 3. engines had to be replaced afterwards.

[Craig.]

thanks for the info ivan i was going on a recent thing in an aviation mag we have here. i knew about the engine thingy but not the upgrade from the 25
learn something new every day
you left out the F-14 prob the best interceptor built(which if i remember rightly was built for cold war intercepts of russian bombers?)

[Woodlouse2002]

Guys.

Think about this. Don't go for your favorite planes here.

If someone said to you "name a War plane" then what would you name? I reckon in 90% of cases you will get the answer "Spitfire". Thus proving that it is truly immortal.

[Tequila Sunrise]

 probably the  Spitfire or Harrier

[Rifleman]

The MiG-25 was built to intercept the Sr-71

Check out that info once again.........you may find that the Foxbat was developed to intercept the proposed XB-70 Valkyrie........once the B-70 program faded the MiG 25 was continued with .................  8)

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/fighter/mig25/index.shtml

[Brett_Henderson]

By definition of the question (immortal)(will not die)

The old B-52...  

Is there even a close 2nd