G SXTY
18th Sep 2003, 20:59
Anyone with access to Discovery Wings will have seen their shortlist – I couldn’t help wondering (after a couple of beers) how our esteemed Pprune jury would vote.
So then, what is (was) Britain’s greatest aeroplane? I’m kicking off with a vote for the harrier:
Spitfire
Needs no introduction, and if I had to raffle body parts to have a go in one, I would. Although it deserves all the superlatives it gets, its legend has overshadowed equally significant aircraft, e.g. the Hurricane – which shot down more German aircraft during the Battle of Britain, and the Mosquito – which as a high altitude bomber could outrun just about fighter that went after it.
Comet
Giant technological leap that it was, it was fatally flawed by metal fatigue (not that anyone could have foreseen it at the time), and was outperformed by the 707 (which admittedly had the advantage of being funded off the back of a military project).
Vulcan
Awesome beastie, highly advanced for its time, John Farley’s favourite aircraft to fly (VTOL types excepted, of course;) ). Nuff said. Was never used in its intended role – thank God – and its only real action was in the Falklands, where its contribution to the outcome was at best questionable. One could argue that it did its job very successfully as a deterrent, but I feel the lack of a combat track record compromises it when compared to the Spitfire and Harrier.
Concorde
Would always be very close to the top of my list, but difficult to argue that it is Britain’s greatest aircraft when it’s half French.
which leaves . . .
Harrier
Exceptionally versatile (ground attack, armed recce, fleet defence, air combat, etc), for over 30 years it has had the unique ability to operate off short, unprepared or non-existent runways. Arguably the only aeroplane to be of much use after day 1 of World War 3, when most if not all conventional airfields would have been destroyed. Achieved more than 20 kills in the Falklands with no air combat losses. The RAF / RN had nothing else which could have provided air cover, and without effective air cover, it is difficult to imagine the task force ever setting sail.
And I think that sums up the Harrier’s achievement. Remove any of the other aircraft from history and Britain today would be no different (I’m including the Spitfire here – greater numbers of Hurricanes could arguably have done the same job). Take away the Harrier and the Argentine flag would probably be flying over the Falklands today. If for that reason alone, I think it is Britain’s greatest aircraft.
Discuss . . .
So then, what is (was) Britain’s greatest aeroplane? I’m kicking off with a vote for the harrier:
Spitfire
Needs no introduction, and if I had to raffle body parts to have a go in one, I would. Although it deserves all the superlatives it gets, its legend has overshadowed equally significant aircraft, e.g. the Hurricane – which shot down more German aircraft during the Battle of Britain, and the Mosquito – which as a high altitude bomber could outrun just about fighter that went after it.
Comet
Giant technological leap that it was, it was fatally flawed by metal fatigue (not that anyone could have foreseen it at the time), and was outperformed by the 707 (which admittedly had the advantage of being funded off the back of a military project).
Vulcan
Awesome beastie, highly advanced for its time, John Farley’s favourite aircraft to fly (VTOL types excepted, of course;) ). Nuff said. Was never used in its intended role – thank God – and its only real action was in the Falklands, where its contribution to the outcome was at best questionable. One could argue that it did its job very successfully as a deterrent, but I feel the lack of a combat track record compromises it when compared to the Spitfire and Harrier.
Concorde
Would always be very close to the top of my list, but difficult to argue that it is Britain’s greatest aircraft when it’s half French.
which leaves . . .
Harrier
Exceptionally versatile (ground attack, armed recce, fleet defence, air combat, etc), for over 30 years it has had the unique ability to operate off short, unprepared or non-existent runways. Arguably the only aeroplane to be of much use after day 1 of World War 3, when most if not all conventional airfields would have been destroyed. Achieved more than 20 kills in the Falklands with no air combat losses. The RAF / RN had nothing else which could have provided air cover, and without effective air cover, it is difficult to imagine the task force ever setting sail.
And I think that sums up the Harrier’s achievement. Remove any of the other aircraft from history and Britain today would be no different (I’m including the Spitfire here – greater numbers of Hurricanes could arguably have done the same job). Take away the Harrier and the Argentine flag would probably be flying over the Falklands today. If for that reason alone, I think it is Britain’s greatest aircraft.
Discuss . . .