Looks like a skytoon'd F-14!CrazyCapnMorgan said:I don't really have a favorite plane IRL, but I do have a favorite for fictional.
Your Favorite Planes in fiction and in real life.
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Yeah, its a pretty sad story. Effectively neutered the military aviation industry in Canada; its mainly an American show now.Private Custard said:
Real Life
No one mentioned the SR-71 Blackbird?
This plane still holds the record for fasted manned aircraft at 3,530 km/h (2,193 mph), since 1976! Built during the Cold War as a reconnaissance plane to replace the compromised U-2, this bird was designed to fly so high and so fast that missiles couldn't touch it. An amazing machine, no SR-71 was ever lost to hostiles even until its final retirement in 1999.
I would also have picked the A-10 Thunderbolt II, just because a 30mm rotary cannon, AKA tank slicer, with a plane built around it is too cool. The plane itself also is neat in the fact it can and has gotten torn up from flying so low in combat. It has so many redundancies that it just wont die, even if some of the brass keeps trying to retire it. It is just that good at its job.
Fictional Aircraft
Um, the F-35 as it was intended?
No one mentioned the SR-71 Blackbird?
I would also have picked the A-10 Thunderbolt II, just because a 30mm rotary cannon, AKA tank slicer, with a plane built around it is too cool. The plane itself also is neat in the fact it can and has gotten torn up from flying so low in combat. It has so many redundancies that it just wont die, even if some of the brass keeps trying to retire it. It is just that good at its job.
Fictional Aircraft
Um, the F-35 as it was intended?
Is that an Avro Arrow? I have never seen one but I knew it was a delta wing interceptor that got canceled. The nose looks like a scaled down Avro VulcanRedlin5 said:
But usually only Canadians know what that one is.
This Plane from the Destroyermen series.
Its basted on a PBY Catalina and is made from Laminated bamboo and canvas.
I would have no idea, but if the Turbokat is indeed modeled after an F-14, it would come as no surprise. Actually, after doing a little research into it, I believe the Turbokat is modeled as a hybrid F-14/Harrier. Still, no real life planes can launch a motorcycle like the Turbokat can.Private Custard said:Looks like a skytoon'd F-14!CrazyCapnMorgan said:I don't really have a favorite plane IRL, but I do have a favorite for fictional.
I don't know anything about planes, but the nazi jets in the first level of Wolfenstein: The New Order looked pretty cool.
Real: The Eurofighter Typhoon. Factually, provably and undebatably the best plane in the world.
http://wallpoper.com/images/00/21/63/21/military-jet-fighter_00216321.jpg
Not only is it the best, just look at it. LOOK. It is literally bite-the-back-of-your-hand beautiful. Everything from its sleek fuselage to its sensually crafted delta wings. I don't say this often, but phwoar.
Honourable mentions:
-Supermarine Spitfire (obviously) because it looks almost as sexy as the Typhoon, and you've never seen anything that looks as heroic.
-Hawker Hurricane, for being the backbone of the RAFs fighter command in WWII.
-Avro Vulcan, for sheer presence and majesty. And helping save the world in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
-Panavia Tornado GR4, for being the best damn swing-role fighter since 1979, until the Eurofighter turned up.
-Harrier, for being a technical masterpiece, and for being very useful during a certain sensitive topic in South America. I still have a bee in my bonnet about them being replaced by the F-35B too. The Harrier is amazing and has VTOL, the F-35B doesn't have vertical takeoff (merely short takeoff) and doesn't even work properly.
Fictional:
Erm, not so hot on my fictional planes, if I'm honest. Probably Sky Captain's Spitfire?
http://wallpoper.com/images/00/21/63/21/military-jet-fighter_00216321.jpg
Not only is it the best, just look at it. LOOK. It is literally bite-the-back-of-your-hand beautiful. Everything from its sleek fuselage to its sensually crafted delta wings. I don't say this often, but phwoar.
Honourable mentions:
-Supermarine Spitfire (obviously) because it looks almost as sexy as the Typhoon, and you've never seen anything that looks as heroic.
-Hawker Hurricane, for being the backbone of the RAFs fighter command in WWII.
-Avro Vulcan, for sheer presence and majesty. And helping save the world in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
-Panavia Tornado GR4, for being the best damn swing-role fighter since 1979, until the Eurofighter turned up.
-Harrier, for being a technical masterpiece, and for being very useful during a certain sensitive topic in South America. I still have a bee in my bonnet about them being replaced by the F-35B too. The Harrier is amazing and has VTOL, the F-35B doesn't have vertical takeoff (merely short takeoff) and doesn't even work properly.
Fictional:
Erm, not so hot on my fictional planes, if I'm honest. Probably Sky Captain's Spitfire?
Real life:
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
Ugly as balls, but so damn effective. Mounted with the heaviest automatic cannon ever mounted on an aircraft, it rips armored vehicles to shreds and can take a ridiculous amount of punishment itself. This thing was designed that if one engine, one tail, one elevator and half a wing were shot away it could still get home. Even after 40 years, people still haven't come up with an aircraft that fulfills its role better.
Fiction:
What it lacks in versatility it makes up for in raw performance.
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
Ugly as balls, but so damn effective. Mounted with the heaviest automatic cannon ever mounted on an aircraft, it rips armored vehicles to shreds and can take a ridiculous amount of punishment itself. This thing was designed that if one engine, one tail, one elevator and half a wing were shot away it could still get home. Even after 40 years, people still haven't come up with an aircraft that fulfills its role better.
Fiction:
I'll see your VF-25 Messiah and raise you VF-27 Lucifer.Zontar said:
What it lacks in versatility it makes up for in raw performance.
I'd have to name two, in concert with Hairless Mammoth.
The SR-71 Blackbird. Although designed with a slide rule in the 60's it still looks like it's from the future. It leaks fuel while cold or idling, and once it heats up, it seals up, because the airframe lengthens several inches.
The jelly-like fuel cannot be ignited by a blowtorch, it requires a boron-sparker. The fuel is circulated to the leading edges for a coolant. They initially were considering using a coal-slurry fuel!
There's a bajillion technological design marvels in that airframe, not to mention the prototypical stealth aircraft.
Second place is the A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog. Ugly, and incredibly resilient for an aircraft, the designs specs for the parts that can be shot away and the plane to continue flying are surprising. Built around the GAU-8 rotary cannon, which has an electric motor more powerful than some cars, the A-10 was designed as a close-air-support aircraft from the lessons of Vietnam.
The SR-71 Blackbird. Although designed with a slide rule in the 60's it still looks like it's from the future. It leaks fuel while cold or idling, and once it heats up, it seals up, because the airframe lengthens several inches.
The jelly-like fuel cannot be ignited by a blowtorch, it requires a boron-sparker. The fuel is circulated to the leading edges for a coolant. They initially were considering using a coal-slurry fuel!
There's a bajillion technological design marvels in that airframe, not to mention the prototypical stealth aircraft.
Second place is the A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog. Ugly, and incredibly resilient for an aircraft, the designs specs for the parts that can be shot away and the plane to continue flying are surprising. Built around the GAU-8 rotary cannon, which has an electric motor more powerful than some cars, the A-10 was designed as a close-air-support aircraft from the lessons of Vietnam.
Real world : Northrop F-20 Tigershark
"One of the best fighters that never went into production" - Steve Pace. Almost completely ignored by the country that designed it. It did not use cutting edge technology but had a superb design. It's predecessor the F-5 is still shooting down America's top fighters during Red Flag exercises.
Fiction : X-02 Wyvern
From Ace Combat. Although it's not a full on robot it is still just a plane. Beautiful and plausible design.
"One of the best fighters that never went into production" - Steve Pace. Almost completely ignored by the country that designed it. It did not use cutting edge technology but had a superb design. It's predecessor the F-5 is still shooting down America's top fighters during Red Flag exercises.
Fiction : X-02 Wyvern
From Ace Combat. Although it's not a full on robot it is still just a plane. Beautiful and plausible design.
Probably the Hawker Sea Fury [http://www.mrwallpaper.com/wallpapers/Hawker-Sea-Fury.jpg]
Honourable mentions go tot the Grumman F3F "Flying Barrel".
Not sure about fictional ones.
Honourable mentions go tot the Grumman F3F "Flying Barrel".
Not sure about fictional ones.
I'll put my money with the SR-71 Blackbird and A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog as well.
Favorite fictional plane would probably be those sexy jet fighters from Stealth. Shitty movie but those futuristic planes just...mhm!
Favorite fictional plane would probably be those sexy jet fighters from Stealth. Shitty movie but those futuristic planes just...mhm!
Okay first the S-37 Beirut
Then the Avro Vulcan
The XB-70 Valkyrie
and fictional from Babylon 5 the thunderbolt
Then the Avro Vulcan
The XB-70 Valkyrie
and fictional from Babylon 5 the thunderbolt
That plane actually existed, it's called the Horten-229 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229]. It never did get past the prototype stage before the war ended, but it is a real aircraft.BlackJesus said:
Looks like someone has been to LakenheathPrivate Custard said:Well, this is an incredibly hard question! I'm going to have to split this up, as each era has brought some amazingly beautiful machinery. It's all military, as that's where my aviation passion really lies.
Pre-WW2
Royal Aircraft Factory SE5A. From the squared-off front end, to slim rear, everything about this aircraft is perfectly proportioned.
WW2-Era
Really, there is only one candidate, the Spitfire. Sure, it's not the only aircraft that saved Britain, as the Hurricane was produced in greater numbers and was the workhorse, but the Spit was a groundbreaking aircraft. A marvel of modern (for its time) engineering, combining numerous new techniques, to create something very rare, form and function working in harmony, creating something as pretty as it was brilliant.
The Hawker Hurricane.
The Spitfires perfect partner. Much rarer than Spitfires nowadays, due to it costing three times as much to restore. There are now less than 20 left flying in the world. Pictured here, R4118, a Battle of Britain veteran, currently for sale.
The P-51.
Designed and built by North American Aviation, from specifications issued by the British. Originally fitted with a weak Allison engine, it became a legend, once fitted with the superior Rolls-Royce Packard Merlin.
The Lancaster.
Out of 7377 built, only two remain flying today. Ours as a memorial to the 55,536 members of RAF Bomber Command, who died doing a job that they volunteered for, despite the high chance of death.
In the sky alone, it's an awe-striking aircraft. Not what you'd describe as pretty, but with a massive presence. I was lucky enough to witness both ours, and the Canadians examples, flying together this summer. It's something that will stay with me forever.
Early Jet-Age
The F-86 Sabre
A utterly striking aircraft. When flown against early MiG's during the Korean war, it was easy for fresh pilots to identify during dogfights, giving rise to the phrase "if it smokes, it's friendly!"
The Hawker Hunter (single-seat variants)
One of the best looking silhouettes ever!
The Modern Age
The Tornado
An aircraft that I've loved ever since I was a youngster. With its swing-wings, huge tail, and old-school turbo union jet engines (that boom, when modern units scream), it has everything that's needed to be an icon. From daring low-level raids in Iraq, back in 1991 (at camel-height, I shit you not!), to it's modern role as a precision strike bomber, it's been an utterly devastating weapons platform. I'll miss the Tonka when she's retired
The F-15
With an utterly astounding kill-ratio, there's no denying the brilliance of the aircraft. It just doesn't hold that special place in my heart.
The Typhoon
Doing a stellar job of policing our skies. Prettier from some angles than others, it's certainly eye-catching. Here's a shot of one, blasting out of RAF Coningsby fully armed, on its way to intercept the Russians........again!
In case anyone's curious, all these shots are mine
I quite like the F14
The sr71 wins hands down for me, the thing is a masterpiece of engineering.
My fave fictional plane is Iranian Qaher-313 .....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9866347/Irans-flight-of-fancy-as-image-of-new-fighter-jet-is-faked.html
I'll have to join in and say the A-10 Warthog again.
It's the exact opposite of sexy, but it's impressive and intimidating. Not to mention beautifully effective.
I heard it might get retired soon, anyone care to enlighten me on the matter?
My favorite fictional aircraft is somewhat of a tie. Both from Halo, though.
The first that came to mind is the Sparrowhawk because it reminds me of the A-10 Warthog. Rugged, unelegant, armed to the teeth.
The second is the Wombat. This is less "I like this aircraft" and more "holy crap unmanned drones in a science fiction property!"
It's the exact opposite of sexy, but it's impressive and intimidating. Not to mention beautifully effective.
I heard it might get retired soon, anyone care to enlighten me on the matter?
My favorite fictional aircraft is somewhat of a tie. Both from Halo, though.
The first that came to mind is the Sparrowhawk because it reminds me of the A-10 Warthog. Rugged, unelegant, armed to the teeth.
The second is the Wombat. This is less "I like this aircraft" and more "holy crap unmanned drones in a science fiction property!"
Retirement of the A10 has been blocked for now but their is a hatchet hanging over it's neck. One proposal I read about was that it was to be phased out over 5 years to free up funding for the bloated f35 project. The f35 is supposed to be a replacing the A10.Xpwn3ntial said:I'll have to join in and say the A-10 Warthog again.
It's the exact opposite of sexy, but it's impressive and intimidating. Not to mention beautifully effective.
I heard it might get retired soon, anyone care to enlighten me on the matter?
My favorite fictional aircraft is somewhat of a tie. Both from Halo, though.
The first that came to mind is the Sparrowhawk because it reminds me of the A-10 Warthog. Rugged, unelegant, armed to the teeth.
The second is the Wombat. This is less "I like this aircraft" and more "holy crap unmanned drones in a science fiction property!"
Favourite plane in friction- Err the robotech/ Macross (I can't remember the specific one) due to the fact they can turned into mech!
Favourite plane in real life- Harrier. I think they has a interesting design and a unquie feature (hover and pull off interesting manvuers) and their origin story was great (they didn't think it was all that great so they made few but once they used it in battle, they won flawlessly).
Favourite plane in real life- Harrier. I think they has a interesting design and a unquie feature (hover and pull off interesting manvuers) and their origin story was great (they didn't think it was all that great so they made few but once they used it in battle, they won flawlessly).