It's National Aviation Day... I give you the bad-assiest of all airframes

[massimoManca II]

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

 

[PSUCYCLING]

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

I present to you the B-47.

http://rbogash.com/B47.html

 

[NapaNit]

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

Love the Hustler.

 

[massimoManca II]

I present to you the B-47.

http://rbogash.com/B47.html

Indeed - that's a sweet ride ! Good choice

 

[fairgambit]

Old school.

 

[Wexford Buckeye]

I saw one of these up close when I was a kid. I suppose it doesn't fit the pure definition of badass, as in MMA fighter badass, but it was the coolest thing I ever saw. http://defwalls.com/wallpapers-n/aircraft-artwork-XB-70-Valkyrie-_488-5.jpg

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

I don't know what that is.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

Your link was off. You were probably referring to the F-14 Tomcat. https://www.google.com/search?q=www.google.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#hl=en&q=f-14+images&imgrc=zoXurLZp-jFtcM:
I can add this, because I was up close and personal with them long before Top Gun rightfully glorified them forever.

 

[LionDeNittany]

My favorite plane for a long time has been the A-10. Used to see a lot of them when I lived in Northern England flying from a base there.

However in sheer awe, I saw this one at an air show. The sound and size was amazing:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...al-flight-year-soaring-restoration-costs.html

I believe it was also featured in a James bond film

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

My favorite plane for a long time has been the A-10. Used to see a lot of them when I lived in Northern England flying from a base there.

However in sheer awe, I saw this one at an air show. The sound and size was amazing:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...al-flight-year-soaring-restoration-costs.html

I believe it was also featured in a James bond film

Also impressed by the A10 when I found out that the cannon could cut a bridge in half or wipe out a column. Plus the tight turning radius. Be a shame when they are all retired, because they can do so much.

 

[Nittany18]

C-130 Hercules.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Also impressed by the A10 when I found out that the cannon could cut a bridge in half or wipe out a column. Plus the tight turning radius. Be a shame when they are all retired, because they can do so much.

The president of the board of my building flies them here out of the airbase. Also a delta pilot.

He almost cries when he talks about them closing down the program. His argument is they are the cheapest and best alternative for the type of war we fight today... middle east etc.

Good part is even if they decomission them they should be around for a long time due to the same features the pilot mentions.

LdN

 

[psuro]

I know you guys are focused on military aircraft, but I think the "bad assist" airframe is the Concorde https://search.yahoo.com/search;_yl...e&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-607&fp=1....despite it's flaws and poor management....it still illicits gasps, shock and awe....it was poetry in the air.

 

[kgilbert78]

Two of my faves:

Me 262



Reverse engineered from the one that was at Willow Grove for many years before the Navy took it back (i.e., stole it).

And the

Do 335--one of the oddest aircraft but supposedly a pretty solid airframe.

 

[massimoManca II]

Two of my faves:

Me 262

View embedded media

Reverse engineered from the one that was at Willow Grove for many years before the Navy took it back (i.e., stole it).

And the

Do 335--one of the oddest aircraft but supposedly a pretty solid airframe.

ME 262 is a FANTASTIC selection!!! Being that this was NATIONAL Aviation Day vs. WORLD Aviation Day, I was thinking U.S.A.... but the Two Six Two was about as bad-assy as you can get.... scary looking weapon...

 

[massimoManca II]

I know you guys are focused on military aircraft, but I think the "bad assist" airframe is the Concorde https://search.yahoo.com/search;_yl...e&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-607&fp=1....despite it's flaws and poor management....it still illicits gasps, shock and awe....it was poetry in the air.

Nah - Concord is the aircraft-equivalent of Tom Brady... Hardly "Bad-Assy" now, I'd give credit for the Douglas DC-6 or the Convair 990

 

[Neil76]

Nah - Concord is the aircraft-equivalent of Tom Brady... Hardly "Bad-Assy" now, I'd give credit for the Douglas DC-6 or the Convair 990

 

[psuro]

Nah - Concord is the aircraft-equivalent of Tom Brady... Hardly "Bad-Assy" now, I'd give credit for the Douglas DC-6 or the Convair 990

So you are saying it's married to a hot chick? Nice. Real nice.

 

[Neil76]

This is bad-assiest. I have over 3000 hours in this aircraft between '77 and '84.

 

[Navion N8865H]

www.navion.com/

 

[JR4PSU]

Largest aircraft in the military

 

[massimoManca II]

This is bad-assiest. I have over 3000 hours in this aircraft between '77 and '84.

call me when you get them fancy high-bypass engines

 

[psengr82]

Take a look at the F-35 Lightning, also known as the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter). Made by Lockheed Martin in the Forth Worth facility, the birthplace of every B-24 Liberator.

The military sent three airplanes (an F16, F18, and F22) at the same time up against the F35 and all three were quickly eliminated. Only one pilot reported he saw the F35 before being shot down while the other two pilots never saw it coming or going. It is truly a BAD-ASS airplane.

The US Marine version, the F35B, can take off and land vertically. I saw one come in low and fast, stop and hover in mid-air about 200 feet above the ground just outside the plant. Scared the living crap out of me.

Here's a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

 

[kgilbert78]

Largest aircraft in the military

View embedded media

I've seen that doing touch and goes at Wright Pat while driving on 70 thru Dayton.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Take a look at the F-35 Lightning, also known as the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter).
Here's a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

My sense is that everyone in this thread has heard of the F-35.

 

[kgilbert78]

Wish I could post my own video here from the
The Gathering of P-51 Mustangs and Legends in 2007....

 

[Roar More]

For durability, it's hard to beat the DC 3 and the B 17. Love me some B 17G!

I flew on this one out of State College last summer. https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...ber+sentimental+journey&imgrc=UdePuXHed7HZAM:

 

[91Joe95]

Can't go wrong with Kelly Johnson:

 

[massimoManca II]

Take a look at the F-35 Lightning, also known as the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter). Made by Lockheed Martin in the Forth Worth facility, the birthplace of every B-24 Liberator.

The military sent three airplanes (an F16, F18, and F22) at the same time up against the F35 and all three were quickly eliminated. Only one pilot reported he saw the F35 before being shot down while the other two pilots never saw it coming or going. It is truly a BAD-ASS airplane.

The US Marine version, the F35B, can take off and land vertically. I saw one come in low and fast, stop and hover in mid-air about 200 feet above the ground just outside the plant. Scared the living crap out of me.

Here's a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

put the JSF Kool Aid down there, Big Fella

F-35 = Govt overspend debacle / underwhelming POS
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-f-35-cant-beat-the-plane-its-replacing-in-a-dogfigh-1714712248

 

[psengr82]

put the JSF Kool Aid down there, Big Fella

F-35 = Govt overspend debacle / underwhelming POS
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-f-35-cant-beat-the-plane-its-replacing-in-a-dogfigh-1714712248

MM, you should stop reading and definitely stop quoting this left-wing rag. The information I have gave above was given to me by one of pilots over lunch, not from some conspiracy rag that you have apparently been reading.

I'll agree though, it is a massive overspend. $150 million each for the standard version and $190 million each for the vertical take-off version...and that's after expected cost reductions. However, several hundred are on order from around the world including UK, Israel, Turkey, S. Korea etc so they must think it's worth the spend.

 

[mmp121]

I present to you, the Aardvark (aka F111)...

Dumping fuel and burning it, makes for an impressive visual...

Wings swept back with burners lit...

A beautiful plane with nice clean lines, and its a bomber no less!

 

[bwifan]

An A-4 Skyhawk flown by the Diamondbacks out of Willow Grove Naval Air Station (at the time later to become Joint Reserve Base then shuttered) Used to go with my grandfather and father as kids when we could pull right off Route 611 into the observation lot on friday nights when the reserves were there and watch them do practice take offs and landings.... guys would do some wild descents coming in hot for a landing and then full throttle once touch down and take off again.... Had some great noise created while they did this for an hour or so getting warmed up for the weekend.

 

[flaglerlion]

F-22 Raptor, nuff said. Cost too much and ahead of its time. But nothing compares,,,,NOTHING!

 

[flaglerlion]

Take a look at the F-35 Lightning, also known as the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter). Made by Lockheed Martin in the Forth Worth facility, the birthplace of every B-24 Liberator.

The military sent three airplanes (an F16, F18, and F22) at the same time up against the F35 and all three were quickly eliminated. Only one pilot reported he saw the F35 before being shot down while the other two pilots never saw it coming or going. It is truly a BAD-ASS airplane.

The US Marine version, the F35B, can take off and land vertically. I saw one come in low and fast, stop and hover in mid-air about 200 feet above the ground just outside the plant. Scared the living crap out of me.

Here's a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

Funny, I live just south of Mayport and was driving over a bridge where the navy fighter jets make a turn from south to north. It was dark out and all I saw was a red light cross in front of me. Then about 2 seconds later I had heard the noise and there was nothing I could do but hit the brakes. Yes, 'Scared the living crap out of me'!

 

[slwlion]

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

Feel free to post your favorite... but please don't be lame!

Notice: please don't be lame and show me an SR-71 (or something faster)... Don't be a Top Gun snoozer and show me a Tomcat... Yeah, we all know the P51 was a sweet plane, but we've seen all of the photos... let's see whatcha got!

 

[slwlion]

In 1961 a B58 passed overhead of the USCGC Eastwind (an icebreaker) in a fjord south of Thule.. I swear it pushed more water behind it than our old tub of a ship ..

 

[massimoManca II]

MM, you should stop reading and definitely stop quoting this left-wing rag. The information I have gave above was given to me by one of pilots over lunch, not from some conspiracy rag that you have apparently been reading.

I'll agree though, it is a massive overspend. $150 million each for the standard version and $190 million each for the vertical take-off version...and that's after expected cost reductions. However, several hundred are on order from around the world including UK, Israel, Turkey, S. Korea etc so they must think it's worth the spend.

I've been reading Tyler Rogoway pieces for many years - not sure wher you "conspiracy rag" position is coming from... I'll take his word over an anonymous bulletin-board claim
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/major-obvious-f-35-pilot-says-a-10-will-always-be-bett-1696947416

 

[massimoManca II]

F-22 Raptor, nuff said. Cost too much and ahead of its time. But nothing compares,,,,NOTHING!

Except for the F-23
http://on-select.com/gal/f/f23-fighter/

I know you guys are focused on military aircraft, but I think the "bad assist" airframe is the Concorde https://search.yahoo.com/search;_yl...e&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-607&fp=1....despite it's flaws and poor management....it still illicits gasps, shock and awe....it was poetry in the air.

Please note: Bad-assy connotes toughness and not being brought down by a metal strap lying on the runway. Concord = hardly bad-assy

 

[DrJC]

My favorite plane for a long time has been the A-10. Used to see a lot of them when I lived in Northern England flying from a base there.

However in sheer awe, I saw this one at an air show. The sound and size was amazing:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...al-flight-year-soaring-restoration-costs.html

I believe it was also featured in a James bond film

Also impressed by the A10 when I found out that the cannon could cut a bridge in half or wipe out a column. Plus the tight turning radius. Be a shame when they are all retired, because they can do so much.

They are a great plane and we need new ones for the type of wars we might be involved in.

 

[kgilbert78]

An A-4 Skyhawk flown by the Diamondbacks out of Willow Grove Naval Air Station (at the time later to become Joint Reserve Base then shuttered) Used to go with my grandfather and father as kids when we could pull right off Route 611 into the observation lot on friday nights when the reserves were there and watch them do practice take offs and landings.... guys would do some wild descents coming in hot for a landing and then full throttle once touch down and take off again.... Had some great noise created while they did this for an hour or so getting warmed up for the weekend.

I grew up near there and have some good pix too. We were closer to Johnsville though. We had the Blue Angels practicing out of there many times when I was a kid.

I do know there were a couple of crashes--one into a shopping center (thankfully on a Sunday, as I recall, when it was closed due to the old PA blue laws). Another would have gone into a swimming pool had the pilot not rode it down so as to miss--he was killed of course.