Phantom Pharewell

[Brewster Buffalo]

Germany will retire its last operational McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom IIs on 29 June, with the veteran type's duties having been assumed by Eurofighter units. After almost 40 years of service, the final interceptors will be retired during a decommissioning event to be staged at the Luftwaffe's Wittmund air base.

PICTURE: German air force to bid 'Pharewell' to last F-4Fs (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-german-air-force-to-bid-pharewell-to-last-f-4fs-387655/)

Article goes on to say about 400+ F-4s are still in service - ignoring drone versions. Tried to think of other fighter aircraft, which first flew in the 1950s and which are still in first line service. Mirage (FF 1956) 75 with the Pakistan Air Force and of course the Mig-21 (FF 1955) though I can't find any numbers on the latter.

Any others?

[sandiego89]

The Northrop F-5 just makes your criteria of first flying in the 1950's with first flight in 1959. Still in use with quite a few air forces.

The MiG-17/Chinese J-5 could also be included, depending on how tight you define "first line". They seem to be retiring rapidly, but still are in limited use. While it is clearly no longer "first line" in China, it may still be for some of the other smaller forces still flying them.

So think your list should include F-4, Mirage III, MiG-21, F-5 Northrop and MiG-17/F-5/J-5.