Best airplanes ever made?

July 2, 2005 | self / vanity

[The Other Harry]

My personal favorites are the DC3 and the J3 Cub. Aeroncas weren't bad either.

I seem to like tail-draggers.

I have never piloted a DC3, but I have flown in one. That was down from Miami into Key West in the setting sun. They should still make them. There was an airplane.

I have piloted a J3. It was a bitch to taxi, but it was great fun to fly. If I could get one for a reaonable price (which is not possible these days), I would. I sometimes go out to the local airport just to look at the one they have. It's really nice.

An Aeronca would be fine also. Low and slow.

I suppose an F14 or a Warthog would be okay also. Those are a little over my head.

[Gazoo]

The planes at this house.

[Dashing Dasher]

OH MY!!!

I've seen the aerial view of the house before - this is amazing!

Thanks for digging it up for me!

[Jack Deth]

WWII

Prettiest: P-51 Mustang/Supermarine Spitfire: Tie

Hardest Working: Douglas C-47

Largest Number Produced: B-24

I still have a warm place in my heart for the C-130E, RF-101 Voodoo, F-4 Phantom and F-105 Thud.

Jack.

[Jack Deth]

There are two planes in the AF Inventory that just cannot be killed and never seem to die.

The BUFF: "When You want something over 40... And experienced!"

And the A-10 Warthog: The Grunts' Best Friend.

Jack.

[Larry Lucido]

I don't know about the best, but I always thought this was about the coolest looking passenger plane ever made. I'd fly on one tomorrow if it were still possible.

[Larry Lucido]

Here's one I wish had been built.

[Larry Lucido]

Aviation ping.

[Lokibob]

I had forgotten about the voodoo.

A couple of years ago (lol, it has to be 6 or more now) I had the opportunity to tour the C-130 J model the day it went from "experimental" to an actual C-130 type. The thing had a glass cockpit, weighed the load as it came aboard, 4- 6 bladed props with de-tuned Allison engines. The engines were so powerful that if fully tuned, they would have turned the wings to pretzels.

Here we were, out in the middle of the Utah desert, doing some short field testing of the plane, when word came from the factory that it had been accepted as an operational aircraft. The crew brought out the OD paint, and covered the word "EXPERMINTAL" over the cabin door. At that time, McDonald Douglas had not sold even one of them (J Model).

[68 grunt]

DH98 Mosquito

[Gazoo]

[Central Scrutiniser]

[Central Scrutiniser]

[Reeses]

I don't think I could be a pilot because I'm nearly blind in my right eye.

I think you can get a waiver for that. Two eye depth perception only works out to about 30 feet so is useless for flying an airplane. Distance depth perception for landing is sensed by the relative motions of objects. Only one eye is needed for perfect landings.

[wagglebee]

[JCEccles]

Lately I've been looking over this classic design in a twin engine. There are still thousands of Beech 18s available and flying. This one (about 8000 hours TTAF) can be purchased for just a little over $70,000.

[Reeses]

I have piloted a J3. It was a bitch to taxi, but it was great fun to fly. If I could get one for a reaonable price (which is not possible these days), I would.

A brand new 2005 J-3 made by American Legend Aircraft Company starts at $67,000 for a basic airplane. With radios and more horsepower I think $85,000 might be more realistic.

[billnaz]

If I ever won the lottery I would spend a chunk of it on a B-17.

[The Other Harry]

> A brand new 2005 J-3 made by American Legend Aircraft
> Company starts at $67,000 for a basic airplane. With
> radios and more horsepower I think $85,000 might be more > realistic.

I can remember the days when a nice used J3 could be had for under $10,000. By my clock, that wasn't so long ago.

[The Other Harry]

Those do nice!

[The Other Harry]

> There isn't much I wouldn't give for a ride in a Warthog.

If you ask around, you might just be able to get one. It wouldn't be legal, but they might do it.