Planes That Changed the World
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Planes That Changed the World
For those in the USA, Smithsonian Channel has a new series "Planes That Changed the World" - the first episode is about the SR-71. At least to me, appears to be well done, lots of interviews with "real people" including design engineers and actual SR-71 pilots (including Bill Weaver, who miraculously survived when the aircraft broke up at Mach 3 after an engine failure). Lots of interesting design details, a few I didn't know about (although they neglected my favorite bit - that they used the exhaust from another jet engine to create the proper inlet conditions for the J58 engines at Mach 3 )
Next week appears to be the DC-3/C-47.
Not sure about you folks on the other side of the pond (or the lake to the west). I watched the credits and it appears to be a Smithsonian production (unlike programs such as Air Disasters (which is 'Mayday' rebranded) so I don't know if or when it'll show up elsewhere. Even in the USA, Smithsonian channel is considered a premium channel.
Next week appears to be the DC-3/C-47.
Not sure about you folks on the other side of the pond (or the lake to the west). I watched the credits and it appears to be a Smithsonian production (unlike programs such as Air Disasters (which is 'Mayday' rebranded) so I don't know if or when it'll show up elsewhere. Even in the USA, Smithsonian channel is considered a premium channel.
Sounds interesting. It may pop up on one of the various satellite channels.
Of course, with a title like that, you're making problems for yourselves. DC-3 definitely, SR-71... maybe.
For what it's worth, my list would include, among others:
DC-3 (and Ju 52)
C-130
Boeing 707 (and Comet)
Boeing 747
B-29
Spitfire (and Hurricane)
U-2
Piper Cub
T-6/Harvard
Fokker Eindecker
What would others put there?
Of course, with a title like that, you're making problems for yourselves. DC-3 definitely, SR-71... maybe.
For what it's worth, my list would include, among others:
DC-3 (and Ju 52)
C-130
Boeing 707 (and Comet)
Boeing 747
B-29
Spitfire (and Hurricane)
U-2
Piper Cub
T-6/Harvard
Fokker Eindecker
What would others put there?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Vickers Vimy - transatlantic flight
Stuka. - dive bomber definitive C AS ac
B47. - As with V Force but in large numbers
B52 definitely
Canberra. - definitive high altitude long range jet bomber
Harrier. - definitive STOL aircraft for 50 years
Mig15. - cheap cheerful and leading fighter
Stuka. - dive bomber definitive C AS ac
B47. - As with V Force but in large numbers
B52 definitely
Canberra. - definitive high altitude long range jet bomber
Harrier. - definitive STOL aircraft for 50 years
Mig15. - cheap cheerful and leading fighter
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 14th Aug 2015 at 12:38.
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Planes that changed the world
For my money I would say the B52 and the V-Bombers for perhaps, keeping the 'cold war' cold.
For air travel I would nominate the Comet, Boeing 707 and 747 for bringing faster and cheaper air travel to the masses.
Last edited by goudie; 16th Aug 2015 at 05:24.
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Fokker Eindecker - first synchronised forward firing machine gun
Boeing 247 - the first "modern" airliner.
Gloster Meteor/Me262 - first practical jet fighters
Arado Ar234 - first practical jet bomber
DH Comet - the first practical jet airliner
Boeing 747 - the first "jumbo" jet
Boeing 247 - the first "modern" airliner.
Gloster Meteor/Me262 - first practical jet fighters
Arado Ar234 - first practical jet bomber
DH Comet - the first practical jet airliner
Boeing 747 - the first "jumbo" jet
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DC3-first real airliner where you stood a good chance of getting to your destination alive, brought the notion of air travel to the world. Plus it did a bit in the war etc. I remember the last RAF DC 3 retiring, it would have been around 1968.
P51- the best fighter of WWII. Took the escort task all the way to Berlin and was a game changer.
Gloster E28/39-I know the Germans got there first but this was the real start of the jet era, leading to the
Comet-world beater; if only they had thought about those square windows a little more.
C-130-Ford Transit of the air.
747-mass world transport, still going strong 45 years later.
Cessna 172-more 172's have been built than any other aircraft, some 43,000 to date since 1956. What most pilots including me would have learned to fly in. Apart from the 182 probably the best all round light aircraft ever built.
P51- the best fighter of WWII. Took the escort task all the way to Berlin and was a game changer.
Gloster E28/39-I know the Germans got there first but this was the real start of the jet era, leading to the
Comet-world beater; if only they had thought about those square windows a little more.
C-130-Ford Transit of the air.
747-mass world transport, still going strong 45 years later.
Cessna 172-more 172's have been built than any other aircraft, some 43,000 to date since 1956. What most pilots including me would have learned to fly in. Apart from the 182 probably the best all round light aircraft ever built.
The Flying Boats
Pan Am Clipper Flying Boats
Before WW II, international air travel in the flying boats was a huge step in opening up what was possible for flying passengers. (Granted, only for those with a bit of money). Sikorsky S-40, S-42, and VS-44 A as well as the Boeing B-314 opened the era of intercontinental air travel. (Hmm, Martin M-130 China clipper as well).
You can see the VS-44A Excambian in the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT. The story of how that plane got there (once owned by actress Maureen O'Hara and her husband) and was restored is pretty neat.
Pan Am Clipper Flying Boats
Before WW II, international air travel in the flying boats was a huge step in opening up what was possible for flying passengers. (Granted, only for those with a bit of money). Sikorsky S-40, S-42, and VS-44 A as well as the Boeing B-314 opened the era of intercontinental air travel. (Hmm, Martin M-130 China clipper as well).
You can see the VS-44A Excambian in the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT. The story of how that plane got there (once owned by actress Maureen O'Hara and her husband) and was restored is pretty neat.
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+1 for Thing on the C152/172. No other single aircraft has made making one's own acts of aviation more accessible to the great unwashed
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After Comet - which must be there, I'd go for the Short Empire - it opened up far more long distance travel than any other flying boat.
Then there's the Handley-Page HP42/45 which was specifically intended for the London - Australia, London- South Africa routes. Not as modern as the DC3, but nonetheless in many ways a world-changer
Then there's the Handley-Page HP42/45 which was specifically intended for the London - Australia, London- South Africa routes. Not as modern as the DC3, but nonetheless in many ways a world-changer
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Last RAF DC3
Sorry but the last RAF DC3 has not yet retired
We had a DC3 at Farnborough in 1983 and of course that aircraft is now serving with the BofB memorial flight
We had a DC3 at Farnborough in 1983 and of course that aircraft is now serving with the BofB memorial flight
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Wright flyer as it started it all off.
Cessna 152 the Model T of the aviation world.
Gloster E28 brought the world into the jet age
Comet brought passenger flying into the jet age
Shorts flying boats, opened the world up to long distance flying
Concorde brought supersonic passenger flying into existence, something yet to be surpassed.
Cessna 152 the Model T of the aviation world.
Gloster E28 brought the world into the jet age
Comet brought passenger flying into the jet age
Shorts flying boats, opened the world up to long distance flying
Concorde brought supersonic passenger flying into existence, something yet to be surpassed.