Aircraft

[pawq]

Write here which aircraft is the best ever in some way in your opinion, it can be any plane best in any category. Add some info and maybe pics (not too large obv.)

My suggestions are:

1. Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is currently the fastest official strategic aircraft, it was developed and constructed in 60s, retired in 1998. Its max speed is ~3,50 Ma (~4350kph) and its ceiling is 26km. There were 21 SR-71A machines constructed, 12 were lost, the rest are in museums.


2. Lockheed F-22 Raptor is the newest fifth-generation fighter aircraft in USAF service, its first flight had place in 1990, so far over 140 fighters were built. Its top speed is ~2,25 Ma (~2400kph), ceiling - 20km.

demonstration flight from Aviation Nation 2008

[John]

I'm fascinated about aviation and space flight but I don't know much about the former so my nomination is the Space Shuttle.
Beautiful machine, they say it's one of the most complex machines ever built. I love the characteristics about it and would prolly be max starstruck if I got to see one for real. :p Despite the problems they're having lately it's quite a "loyal" machine, considering they use, as far as I know, the same onboard systems as they did from the start (and still getting the work done). I've seen pretty much all launches live at NASA TV since 2005/2006. The shuttle itself can't create any lift and the pilot therefore has only one shot at the landing. That, along with the saying that it behaves like a falling brick makes me admire the skills of the pilots. All in all, I will miss the Space Shuttle when it retires ;(

[Chris]

The North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie

XB-70 Valkyrie was the prototype version of the proposed B-70 nuclear-armed deep penetration bomber.
First flight: 21 September 1964
Retired: 4 February 1969
Maximum speed: Mach 3.1 (2,056 mph, 3,309 km/h).
Range: 3,725 nmi (4,288 mi, 6,900 km) combat. Unit cost: $750 million each prototype.




source: wikipedia

[Zweq]

i learned to hate plains in transport tycoon :-S i prefer tranes :--D lets talk about tranes :--D

[pawq]

i guess this one had his nose broken and operated many times... but looks fast, u know what train is it?

[Costya]

zweq, your train is ugly and he sucks with respect to Shanghai Maglev

[Igge]

I like the aerotrain, which is indeed a train.

[pawq]

watefak is this :O sick0r

[Raven]

i liked one aircraft game on psx. AIR COMBAT. Max.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F98Z7U8uOtc

[pawq]

haha, some of those in air combat based on F-15s ;P

[pawq]

Woah! I found this topic completely by accident. It feels positively amusing in a way, knowing that I really cared about planes and shit years ago, and am now properly studying this stuff :) Props for anyone trying to make his dreams come true!


+ I'm still in awe of the Blackbird :0