There isn't much I wouldn't give for a ride in a Warthog.
Think smaller..... think Navion.
The Navion I once owned and made in 1946 is still flying......
The B52.
My personal favorite would be the Bellanca Super Viking. Nothing beats it for overall feel and legacy. 160kts @10000 ft and a bulletproof wood wing.
I'll miss the F-14 Tomcat. If the F/A-18 Hornet is the "Porsche 911 Turbo" of the aviation world, the F-14 is the '68 Dodge Charger with a 440 Magnum. Pure American muscle!
I was fortunate to be able to stand on the flight deck of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) and watch Tomcats belonging to CVW 7 participate in flight ops. Those planes were so loud they literally shook my balls! I could feel my teeth rattle! The Hornets are cool but an era ended when the Navy retired the Tomcats.
The Bf 109 was always pretty cool.
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J3 Cub:
Aeronca
Same difference for it flys itself! : )
The KC-135 is one hell of an aircraft.F-8 Crusader--- BOOM!
Affectionately nicknamed "Jug," the P-47 was one of the most famous AAF fighter planes of WW II. Although originally conceived as a lightweight interceptor, the P-47 developed as a heavyweight fighter and made its first flight on May 6, 1941. The first production model was delivered to the AAF in March 1942, and in April 1943 the Thunderbolt flew its first combat mission--a sweep over Western Europe. Used as both a high-altitude escort fighter and a low-level fighter-bomber, the P-47 quickly gained a reputation for ruggedness. Its sturdy construction and air-cooled radial engine enabled the Thunderbolt to absorb severe battle damage and keep flying. During WW II, the P-47 served in almost every active war theater and in the forces of several Allied nations. By the end of WW II, more than 15,600 Thunderbolts had been built.
If I remember my history some P-47s were sold to Central American countries after WWII. In 1969 Honduras went to war with El Salvador. while there were economic and political reasons it was during preliminary World Cup games that the Honduran Flag and National Anthem were INSULTED! War was declared and the "Jugs" were again used in war! Link:http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/sierra/soccer1969.htm
The "Wilga" was an excellent tail dragger for it could lift off in less than 300', had compressed air tanks to inject air into the engine to alleviate the issues of depending on a battery for starting.
The J-3 was actually designed by William Taylor of Taylorcraft fame who sold it to Piper. I once had an instructor prove that the Cub will fly backward if you have a headwind of 40 plus MPH. With a stall speed of 35, you can have an negative ground speed.
Personally, the one I never flew in that I most admire is Canadian: The De Haviland Beaver aka the L-20. On floats, it is said that regardless of the load, if the tops of the floats are not submerged, it will come off the water and fly.
Re:DC-3
The Gooney Bird Poem
"Tribute to the DC-3"
was written by Oscar Brand.
Our thanks to the folks from the
"Yankee Air Force "
who contacted Mr. Brand and he said
that he had indeed written the poem.
THE GOONEY BIRD
In '51 they tried to ground the noble DC-3,
And so some lawyers brought the case before the CAB,
The Board examined all the facts behind their great oak portal,
And then pronounced these simple words, "The Gooney Bird's immortal."
(chorus)
THEY PATCH HER UP WITH MASKING TAPE,
WITH PAPER CLIPS AND STRINGS,
AND STILL SHE FLIES, SHE NEVER DIES..
METHUSELAH WITH WINGS.
The Army toasts their SkyTrain now in lousy scotch and soda,
The Tommies raise their tankards high to cheer the old Dakota,
Some claim the C-47's best, or the gallant R4D,
Forget the claim, they're all the same, the noble DC-3.
(chorus)
Douglas built the ship to last, but nobody quite expected
The crazy heap would fly and fly no matter how they wrecked it.
While nations fall and men retire and jets get obsolete,
The Gooney Bird flies on and on, at 11,000 feet.
(chorus)
No matter what they do to her, The Gooney Bird still flies,
One crippled plane was fitted out with one wing half the size,
She hunched her shoulders, then took off, and I know this makes us laugh
One wing askew, and yet she flew ... The DC-2 and a half.
(chorus)
She had her faults, but after all, who's perfect in this sphere?
Her heating system was a gem, we loved her for her gear.
Of course, her windows leaked a bit when the rain came pouring down,
She'd keep you warm, but in a storm it's possible you'd drown.
(chorus)
Well now she flies the feeder routes and carries mail and freight,
She's just an airborne office or a flying twelve ton crate,
(chorus)
THEY PATCH HER UP WITH MASKING TAPE,
WITH PAPER CLIPS AND STRINGS,
AND STILL SHE FLIES, SHE NEVER DIES..
METHUSELAH WITH WINGS.
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This thread reminded me of an old USAF song...
Make Me Operations
Don't give me a P-38 with props that counter-rotate
They'll loop, roll and spin but they'll soon auger in
Don't give me a P-38!
CHORUS: Just make me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home.*
Don't give me a P-39 with an engine that's mounted behind
It will tumble and roll and dig a big hole
Don't give me a P-39.
Don't give me an old Thunderbolt. It gave many pilots a jolt
It looks like a jug and it flies like a tug
Don't give me an old Thunderbolt!
Don't give me a Peter Four Oh, a hell of an airplane, I know
A ground loopin' bastard. You're sure to get plastered
Don't give me a Peter Four Oh.
Don't give me a P-51, it was all right for fighting the hun
But with coolant tank dry. you'll run out of sky
Don't give me a P-51.
Don't give me a P-61, for night flying is no fun
They say it's a lark. but I'm scared of the dark
Don't give me a P-61.
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.