The 3 greatest aircraft of all time?

[P-40_Warhawk]

What do you think is the 3 greatest aircraft of all time?
As for me: Wright flyer
                ME262(and Gloster Meteor)
                Huey Helo.
I put these ac names in laymens terms, I dont want to get too tecnicle.

[X56SB]

1.an124
2.galaxy
3.an22

[flyboy 28]

This really shouln't go here, but OK... (I'm almost positive it'll go in another forum... Forget the name right now... )

But anyhoo, I'll say...

1. Super Tommie

2. Cubbie

3. Spit

[Ivan]

Greatest aircraft of all time...

Undisputed #1: the SST's (Tu-144 and Concorde)
2: Mi-26
3: 747 any variant

[Felix/FFDS]

We've had this discussion so many times (especially last year).

You really have to set some "ground rules"

"Which three aircraft, in your opinion, have made the greatest impact on aviation?"

and it can be further divided into technical, military, commercial and general aviation ... .

and you will also get favorites, no matter what.

For example - from a commercial point of view, my choices would be:

DC-3 - for making commercial passenger flights sustainable and economical 'for the masses'.

707 - While not the first jet airliner, (Tu-104/Comet 1 hold that honor), like the DC-3, the 707 was the breakthrough airplane for turbine powered commercial flight.

747 - The first jumbo jet and against which all wide body airliners are compared.


My military aircraft choice would be:
Fokker E-I/III series - established the 'rule' for what a fighter should be.

P-51 Mustang - ultimate development of the single engine fighter - a good combination of firepower, handling, range, and survivability.

C-130 Hercules  Transport workhorse par excellence.  Of course there are transports that fly faster, higher, have more load, etc., but this is the best "all around" multi-role workhorse transport.

[chomp_rock]

Here Goes:

1.Wright Flyer - First sucessful powered aircraft (duh)
2.DC-3  - First aircraft to make commercial flight available to the masses.
3.747 (all variants) - Most well known aircraft of all time and the "aircraft to beat" for all future airliners.

[SilverFox441]

I've been here too long...I agree with Felix's choices except for the P-51. I'd replace the 'Stang with the '38:

Fighter variant escorting recce variant to take pre-strike pics, fighter variant escorting droop-snoot variant that's leading the bombers (fighter variants loaded with bombs) , fighter variant escorting the recce variant to take post strike BDA photo's...and all Lightnings. Lightning was the first fighter to offer real long range escort and the first to lead the way to real multi-role aircraft.

[Felix/FFDS]

I can live with that choice for the reasons indicated.  WHile the Mustang may have been the better "fighter" for sheer multi-role use, the Lightning had more flexibility - and you don't even mention the two seat night fighter version.

I've been here too long...I agree with Felix's choices except for the P-51. I'd replace the 'Stang with the '38:
.

[Smoke2much]

[quote]We've had this discussion so many times (especially last year).

You really have to set some "ground rules"

"Which three aircraft, in your opinion, have made the greatest impact on aviation?"

and it can be further divided into technical, military, commercial and general aviation ... .

and you will also get favorites, no matter what.

For example - from a commercial point of view, my choices would be:

DC-3 - for making commercial passenger flights sustainable and economical 'for the masses'.

707 - While not the first jet airliner, (Tu-104/Comet 1 hold that honor), like the DC-3, the 707 was the breakthrough airplane for turbine powered commercial flight.

747 - The first jumbo jet and against which all wide body airliners are compared.


My military aircraft choice would be:
Fokker E-I/III series - established the 'rule' for what a fighter should be.

P-51 Mustang - ultimate development of the single engine fighter - a good combination of firepower, handling, range, and survivability.

C-130 Hercules

[ozzy72]

1.Spitfire!!!!!! Doh what else would get the #1 slot!!!!!!!
2.Vulcan (gorgeous)
3.Harvard (a great trainer, and looks right ) or Chipmunk ('cos I learnt to fly on one!)

Ozzy

[P-40_Warhawk]

Okay- there is no rules. Just from now on tell us if its youre fave plane or if its what you think hadthe greatest impact on history.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]
Why do we need these rules Felix?

[HawkerTempest5]

Spitfire MkXIV
Spitfire MkIX
Spitfire MkV

[Smoke2much]

Sorry if that came accross a little "in your face" Felix, I'm at work and a little distracted LOL

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think that the Lancaster is the most beautiful four engined A/C ever flown.  My wife suggests it was modelled on and has all the grace of a house brick.

Will

[jimclarke]

1.  DC-3/C-47
2.  Spitfires
3.  Boeing707 (I had a hard time with #3--so many to choose from)

Jim