B741 From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 716 posts, RR: 1 Posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 5373 times:
I would have to say the Mig 21. It is still operated by many air arms. Also, the Mirage III is still operated. Out of the Century series, only the F-104 is currently stored.
HaveBlue From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2069 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 5252 times:
My vote goes to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. It was the only combat airplane that all 3 services used and the only aircraft that both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds used. It was a very capable air to air fighter and could hold its own in ground attack as well, including the Wild Weasel versions. And it is still in use in several countries, including Germany, which has a squadron or two based at Holloman AFB, NM.
The MiG-21 is definitely a first rate contender, but my nod goes to the Phantom, one of the meanest looking fighters ever.
p.s. I said all 3 services because the Army isn't allowed to have fixed wing combat aircraft.
Dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 2, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 5189 times:
I'll go with the Phantom as well. The MiG-21 is shorter ranged and was purchased more for its affordability than its desirability.
The F-104 has been kept by the Italians for so long due to a unique set of circumstances, while the Mirage III has been kept by nations that either did not need to or could not afford to upgrade to a more capable aircraft.
FlagshipAZ From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3419 posts, RR: 15 Reply 3, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 5179 times:
IMO, an honorable mention should go to the Northrup F-5 series. Cheap, lightweight & reliable. Still in service in many countries, the F-5 and the trainer version, the T-38, ranks among my favorite 1960s fighter aircraft. Regards.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin
HaveBlue From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2069 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (8 years 6 months 1 day ago) and read 5166 times:
Yeah Flagship, gotta give you support there. The T-38 falls into that "if I had my choice of any airplane I could own, within reason". Beatufil, sexy lil supersonic plane. Chuck Yeager had this to say about the F-5 “The nicest little airplane to fly, in my opinion, is the F-5 with the leading edge flaps; twin engine, simple and fun … just a simple, basic little old airplane that flies so sweet.”
I wish the F-20, its follow on, would have been more successful. It certainly was as an airplane, just not in sales. Take an F-5, give it 70% more thrust and brand new avionics and what's not to like? Yeager, who test flew and marketed it, had this to say about the Tigershark... “A piece of cake,” he enthused. “It’s one of the most beautiful I’ve flown. Excellent throttle response.”
DeltaGuy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (8 years 6 months 14 hours ago) and read 5103 times:
F-8 'Sader for me too...the last of the Gunfighters. The Phabulous Phantom comes next...almost neck and neck. Back when the days of being a fighter pilot really were something
FlagshipAZ From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3419 posts, RR: 15 Reply 8, posted (8 years 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 5074 times:
A question for HaveBlue. I seem to remember the Vought A-7 Corsair II was flown by all 3 US fixed-wing branches in the 60s & 70s. Can you confirm this? Or is my memory getting old like the rest of me? Regards.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin
B741 From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 716 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (8 years 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 5060 times:
To FlagshipAZ,
Yes, the A-7 was used by the USAF. A land-based version was ordered by the USAF, the A-7D, featuring a completely revised avionics including a greatly improved nav/attack system, and considerably more thrust from the TF41, a US-built enlarged development of the Rolls-Royce Spey. I am not sure about the Marine Corps, however.
HaveBlue From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2069 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (8 years 5 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 4988 times:
Flagship, I think you are right. I had heard the statement that the F-4 was the only combat aircraft to be used by all 3 services a long time ago, and couldn't think of an example that proved it wrong. The A-7 is probably the exception to the rule.
HaveBlue From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2069 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (8 years 5 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 4987 times:
Cbs5150 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 22 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (8 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 4885 times:
I would have agree about the F-4!! It's my favorite! It's been around a looonnngggg time and used in SO many different variants and countries....it's Definitely a classic. Not bad for a fighter that started out as a day fighter for the Air Force (F-110). Speaking of the "century series", the F-106 and the F-101 comes to mind. The Canadians held onto theirs for about 10 years after the US Air Force scrapped theirs. The F-106 was a great plane, too!!
Thumper From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 550 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (8 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 4832 times:
What about the F-14 Tomcat? Didn't she start in the 60's If it did I'm sure it would out perform anything!
HaveBlue From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2069 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (8 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 4800 times:
The F-14 first flew in the 70's, or it would have my vote as well.
KC10FISH From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 12 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (8 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 4677 times:
i would say the A-4. hands down. most bang for the buck !
Philsquares From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (8 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 4641 times:
My vote would be for the F105. Meanest aircraft during it's time. Originally designed as a low level fighter bomber with nuclear capability. Finished it's career as the second wild weasel platform.
Areopagus From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1357 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4449 times:
Not bad for a fighter that started out as a day fighter for the Air Force (F-110).
The Phantom II started out as the F4H-1 for the Navy. The Air Force had to swallow its pride to buy it as the F-110.
IntruderPC From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 82 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 4467 times:
F-4 Phantom II should take this one hands down. Most capable fighter/bomber/mission designate A/C there ever was. When I was on carriers I saw them load up camera pods, ecm pods for Navy Wild Weasal missions, you name they did it. All this besides CapCom and Ready Alert. Probably the only other one that comes close would be the F-105 "Thud". F-14 started development in the 60's, but didn't reach the fleet until 1973. The 60's had some great supersonic A/C like the F-8 Crusader, the early F-5's were nimble and fast 900+ kts and could carry a pretty good load. Mirages, Lightnings, etc. not withstanding, the Phantom II went into combat and all of the other misssions on a daily basis in 'Nam, so it gets my vote.
Jaydee From France, joined Jan 2000, 15 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (8 years 4 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 4099 times:
My favorite would be the Mirage III. It's sad that the Swiss Army got rid of the last ones!
25 Wiggidy: Although most Americans would say the phantom you have to remember that the phantom want very popular at first. It had no gun, relied too heavily on r
26 Greasespot: I like the looks of the F 105.....I aldo like the F100 but that may actually be classed as a 1950's as i believe it's first flight was at the end og h
27 Sonic67: The f-4 may me the fastest of the bunch but my vote goes to the AV8-Harrier it is still in production and the also do I need to mention “V-STOL" ca
28 Dc3cv3407ac727: A4 ,short,simple to the point!!!!!! from a former Marine grunt who appreciates a good mud(or sand) mover !
29 Maiznblu_757: Sonic, He said 1960's Supersonic Fighter. It is neither a 60's fighter or supersonic. [Edited 2005-02-25 18:26:42]
30 SATL382G: It's as much a 60s fighter as the A-4. First flight Dec 67, in service with RAF summer 69.
31 Venus6971: The F-5/T-38 is the most venerable. Still going strong. The USN is buying ex Swiss F-5's that have weather radar and anti skid for their aggresor prog
32 Maiznblu_757: Thanks Southern Air Transport C-130, One more edit... First Flight (GR.1) 28 December 1967 (AV-8A) August 1970 (FRS.1) 20 August 1978 (F/A.2) 19 Septe
33 Bennett123: The T38 is not a fighter, it was a trainer. The A7 was an attack aircraft. The F14 flew in the 1970's. The A4 was an attack aircraft. The F105 was mor
34 Maiznblu_757: A lot of people are streatching the topic to include their overall favourites. I was thinking the same thing.
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