[Sirius Lee]

When it comes to admiring these legendary war birds, it's hard for me to do more than choose a top ten in no particular order. Like a doting mother, I can't seem to choose one over another :-)

Agreed. Anytime there's an airshow and there's a F4U, or Mustang, or (rare) Lightning, or B-17 or B-29 at the show, I am well pleased. I have not seen a Spitfire live and up close, alas, and it is in my top 5 of most beautiful aircraft ever made, alongside the big Connie (if we include aircraft from all eras).

But back to WWII...I know she's the ugly, redheaded stepchild of fighters, but to me she's pretty to me - not hollywood beautiful, but like the cute girl you see in church one day with the great personality that you end up marrying. I speak of course about the Hurricane. They shot down 3 Germans for every 2 that Spits shot down.

[Sirius Lee]

And speaking of plain Jane Hurricane, the U.S. started the war with it's own undersung hero - the P-40

And here's a color photo allegedly from China from the war of a P-40 shooting down a zero.

[Windflier]

...the big Connie

Here's one in military camo:

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed EC-121R Constellation of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing over Southeast-Asia on 15 January 1969.

[Windflier]

I have not seen a Spitfire live and up close, alas, and it is in my top 5 of most beautiful aircraft ever made...

I consider myself lucky to have seen a Spitfire live and up close once in this life. I was working in southern England in the late eighties, and was invited to an air show during a short break.

Of all the enjoyments I experienced that day, only one remains fresh in my memory, and that's when a Spitfire came roaring over the grandstands at low altitude. I can't even begin to describe the awesome effect of pure power that thing put out. It was magical.

[jmacusa]

To me the B-17 was the coolest, most beautiful looking airplane ever built, beautiful and deadly. A more potent symbol of righteous American might and the technology and craftmenship America could produce. It’s been my honor to have known three men who flew aboard B-17s and to a man they all told me that they’re today “By the Grace of God and that plane’’. It could take tremendous punishment and still keep flying. I’m just in awe of it. This nation owes a great debt to these men and to the Boeing family.