" The F-22 and F-14 are both also quite handsome."
How about this plane ? the SR-71 Blackbird ?
Still one of the most amazing planes ever.
Posted on 04/27/2010 9:33:19 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The non-nuclear B-1 Lancer has adapted from a strategic mission to a close-air support role, and will continue to play an effective part in today's fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to leaders here.
While the remaining bombers in the Air Force inventory transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command, the B-1 has become the go-to airframe when combatant commanders want a show of force or support for ground troops.
"The predominance of what we are doing right now in theater is close-air support; non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and armed overwatch" said Col. Charlie Catoe, 7th Operations Group commander. "We are supporting the troops on the ground."
"The B-1's very flexible. What makes us very useful in the current fight is that we have a large payload, we can carry a varied amount of weapons," Colonel Catoe said. "If you need to go kinetic, you have a lot of choices on what you can do."
Operating at approximately 20,000 feet, the B-1 waits or "loiters" with up to 35 tons of precision-guided weapons. When ground troops encounter the enemy, the bomber's aircrew can engage in minutes because of the B-1's readiness and speed.
"We're fast for what you might think a bomber can do," the colonel said. "The loiter time is exceptional so we don't require as much tanker time to stay and hang around over the fight. Afghanistan is a good-sized country and we can dash back and forth across it as we need to, if somebody needs help in a hurry."
(Excerpt) Read more at af.mil ...
That is one good looking plane, and most be a treat to fly it.
Come on, now. Prettiest plane in the sky is the A-10. Or a p-51 Mustang.
My dad worked on the A-10 flight test program at Edwards AFB for about 15 yrs.
Carter cancelled it.
Reagan brought it back.
During the Clinton years, at military airshows I felt amongst real Americans if you know what I mean.
That B-1 represented a lot to me. That part of Reagan’s America was still protecting us.
Now in a nightmare worse then anything I could have imagined during the Clinton years, she’s still there protecting us...
Waiting for a commander in chief worthy of her again.
America has a lot of great planes, even the “ugly” ones, like the C 130 or the A10, F 18.
Not all of em are pretty, but they sure are a great reminder of our skills and possibilities.
Let’s just hope the current administration and party doesn’t totally destroy all of our great engineering and skills.
...By the way, can you say "Raped Ape"?
I agree, the F-14 is “special” amidst the great planes of History.
But then there is the P-51 too.
Of course the B-1 is a “looker” also.
Given its capabilities and performance stats, I have always found it interesting that the B1 has spent most of its operational life as a platform looking for a mission. Perhaps the precision guided weapons are the key to the new mission fitting well when other missions did not match the platform.
Yeah, the SR-71 is better looking than the B-1.
Big honk’n bad ass plane.
It’s damn sad to see them being cut up, just so the Iranians can’t get their hands on any parts.
Ack...ack...I WISH you hadn’t said that...I didn’t know that was what they were doing...ahhhhhh...my lovely Tomcats being chopped up.
I think I am going to be ill. (Not really, but that bums me out!)
Right there with you dude.
Between the 14 & 15, the 14 is my favorite fighter of that era. It would be a tossup but, the 14 can land on a deck OR a runway. The 15 is runway only. Point to The Cat.
And the 15 is one hell of a bird, too. As an aviation enthusiast and former jet mechanic, I have been lucky to see some great things in my life.
You know of any “war games” between Cats and Eagles? I wonder which one has the edge (assuming equally gifted pilots). They both have their strong points.
I have heard that between an F14B and an F15, the F15 is better.
But if it is an F14D and an F15, the F14 is better.
And, I think having an RIO who can twist, look, pick up the enemy and so on is an advantage.
I suspect the F15 is more resistant to damage, and as proof I reference this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHADAKreoPY
Than a Grumman F-14? Doubtful. Aside from Grumman's nickname of "Grumman Iron Works" earned by making some of the most durable planes throughout history, think of how much more abuse carrier aircraft have to be designed to absorb.
For planes roughly the same size, the F-14 is about 55% heavier. (28k pounds vs 44k pounds empty) The Eagle's landing gears would collapse trying to land on a carrier, and the Tomcat's titanium wingbox is often described as indestructible.
Dale Snodgrass exceeded 10G's during the Persian Gulf war in his Tomcat avoiding missiles, and the big Cat shrugged it off with no damage. (The same US Navy that had to retire aggressor F-16N's early for over stressing their frames while dog fighting F-14's.)
Not to mention that the entire F-15A-D fleet had to be grounded until inspections (and repairs?) could be done due to stress cracks causing a few in flight break ups.
Furthermore, the Tomcat has widely spaced engines with a lifting body... arguably making a missing wing less of a loss of wing area than an F-15.
LOL, don’t get me wrong...I have a high regard for any product coming out of the Grumman ironworks...
But it is difficult for me to imagine one of my beloved Tomcats flying on one wing.
But I admit that it is because I have a better idea of what is inside a Tomcat, and no idea what is inside an F15. Sometimes a little less knowledge is a good thing...
Yes, I love them too. I spent some time on the USS Constellation as a flight deck elevator operator. It was a sweet gig. Got to spend lots of time up close and personal to many of these birds. Especially fond memories of the full 5 stage afterburner launch at night.
Oh man, I think I brought a knife to a gun fight. Or as an MM2/SS to an AD2, a sub to an airplane fight rather.
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