If you could fly ANY plane ever built, what would it be?
Fantome:
When I was building hours for my commercial licence in a 65HP J-3 Cub 50 years ago ($10/hour from the local Flying Club), used to fly around reading a book with the stick between my knees, or land on a back country road and stop for a smoke!
When I was building hours for my commercial licence in a 65HP J-3 Cub 50 years ago ($10/hour from the local Flying Club), used to fly around reading a book with the stick between my knees, or land on a back country road and stop for a smoke!
Last edited by twochai; 28th Jun 2008 at 20:47.
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A Spitfire or P51, in uncrowded, uncontrolled airspace, summers day, 3/8 Cu to play with, full tank of fuel, uncontrolled grass airfield, English country pub down the road, few pints then off early to bed (with the barmaid).
What could be better?
What could be better?
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Squeegee, what could be better? Off to bed with the landlady, then the beer would be on the house... 
One of the most delightful flying experiences I've had was in 15 mins in one of Jack Brown's J-3 Cub floatplanes. The only flight I've ever had that never went above a couple of hundred feet. We was hunting 'gators!
One of the most delightful flying experiences I've had was in 15 mins in one of Jack Brown's J-3 Cub floatplanes. The only flight I've ever had that never went above a couple of hundred feet. We was hunting 'gators!
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Since I'm not a military nor a civilian pilot & that I have no experience with aviation of any kind, stuff like that......(Apart from making the odd airfix kit every now & then tehehe). I'm just another person with a keen interest in military aviation.
Now, what I'd like to fly if I were a pilot? So many to choose from.
Spitfire. (Who wouldn't?)
Lancastor.
Hurricane.
Harrier.
Tornado F3 or GR4
EE Lightning
Typhoon...
So many more I'd love to fly.....But out of that little list, I'd probably go for the EE Lightning, first time everytime.
I've always had a huge fondness for the Tornado though, when I was just a kid, my uncle & me went for a day out in the lake district, parked at the side of the road having a drink & a sandwhich minding our own business, then WuuuuOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHHHH!!! This aircraft flew right over the top of us, must've been at something like, 40, 50 feet? Well whatever it was, it was bloody low & veeery fekin loud!!! Just after it past over us, 2 or 300 feet in front of us, it just lit up its afterburners & it was long gone! Amazing! I asked my uncle what it was? He said; That was a Tornado.....A Tornado GR1 to be precise. So for that reason...I've always had a place in my heart for the Tornado, especialy the GR4 we have now, amazing looking thing. =D
Now, what I'd like to fly if I were a pilot? So many to choose from.
Spitfire. (Who wouldn't?)
Lancastor.
Hurricane.
Harrier.
Tornado F3 or GR4
EE Lightning
Typhoon...
So many more I'd love to fly.....But out of that little list, I'd probably go for the EE Lightning, first time everytime.
I've always had a huge fondness for the Tornado though, when I was just a kid, my uncle & me went for a day out in the lake district, parked at the side of the road having a drink & a sandwhich minding our own business, then WuuuuOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHHHH!!! This aircraft flew right over the top of us, must've been at something like, 40, 50 feet? Well whatever it was, it was bloody low & veeery fekin loud!!! Just after it past over us, 2 or 300 feet in front of us, it just lit up its afterburners & it was long gone! Amazing! I asked my uncle what it was? He said; That was a Tornado.....A Tornado GR1 to be precise. So for that reason...I've always had a place in my heart for the Tornado, especialy the GR4 we have now, amazing looking thing. =D
Well, in a perfect world, which it'll never be, a Lunar Lander.
In this imperfect world, I've actually been pretty lucky and have no major omissions.
Somewhere in between, there a few I'd rather like to have a go at, most obvious being...
Clipped wing Spitfire - to see how good a piston engined fighter can be
Tornado - to prove they actually can become serviceable, and because I'm fascinating by the aircraft's twin-crew concept
Mignet HM14 Pou de Ciel - just because it fascinates me
SR71 - to see how such a narrowly ultra-high performance aircraft is operated.
Actually, my own aeroplane on a regular basis, without the irritating need to keep earning a living constantly getting in the way - that'd be great!
G
In this imperfect world, I've actually been pretty lucky and have no major omissions.
Somewhere in between, there a few I'd rather like to have a go at, most obvious being...
Clipped wing Spitfire - to see how good a piston engined fighter can be
Tornado - to prove they actually can become serviceable, and because I'm fascinating by the aircraft's twin-crew concept
Mignet HM14 Pou de Ciel - just because it fascinates me
SR71 - to see how such a narrowly ultra-high performance aircraft is operated.
Actually, my own aeroplane on a regular basis, without the irritating need to keep earning a living constantly getting in the way - that'd be great!
G
This would do me just fine.
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For sheer beautiful lines.................... a Constellation.Saw many from afar as a kid.
For sheer "Looks like it's going Mach 2 in the hangar"..........The B-58 Hustler. Never heard one or saw one in flight.........But I'd love to. Especially from the inside.
For sheer "Looks like it's going Mach 2 in the hangar"..........The B-58 Hustler. Never heard one or saw one in flight.........But I'd love to. Especially from the inside.
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Over the years I have been lucky enough to collect a fair number of types the most memorable of which was the Bearcat; perhaps the most awesome single piston ever built.
A few have already mentioned the Hornet; that would have to be my choice. Here's a pic of me aged 3 getting checked out on one:
A few have already mentioned the Hornet; that would have to be my choice. Here's a pic of me aged 3 getting checked out on one:
I've been a bit spoilt, having flown Gnat, Hunter, Buccaneer, F4, Vulcan and VC10.
So I'd go for DH Hornet and SR-71.........
....or Aurora!
So I'd go for DH Hornet and SR-71.........
....or Aurora!
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Can't resist any longer:
For me, the Mosquito, better looking than????, and wings that are on a par with the likes of Angie Dickinson, & Emma Peel's LEEEEEEEEEG's, with the asthetic good looks of Angie & Emma, and the absolute PURR, of a pair of Merlins on song, mind you in the dark recesses of my mind, I wonder how Angie, or Emma sounded when they too Purr'd.
Now I will go back to my pint, I am beginning to shake & sweat.
Maybe a cold shower!!! is in order.
Now I will go back to my pint, I am beginning to shake & sweat.
Maybe a cold shower!!! is in order.
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The good ,the bad and the just like me , Tiger Moth (again ) any time - Full tank longest day, CAVOK, Fokker Eindecker (a true sod of a thing by all accounts) and finally a Spad ( which side was it on - thinking of its handling.)That DH Hornet looked great ( only room for three) - Shame ) I would use it to straffe - several people I can think of. And the Sagitario , TU22 (impossble I'm told). In my limited imagination - its always CAVOK , time (travel ) no problem - No aerospace restrictions - Per chance to dream............
Last edited by Guest 112233; 9th Aug 2008 at 09:16.
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I would go for:
1. Buff - can't imagine what a pig this must be to handle, but I'd love to give it a go...!
2. Spitfire MkV and Mk24 for comparison purposes - sublime to ridiculous?
3. EE Lightning - 50,000 ft/min? Can't imagine what that must be like! Hope I can scrape enough ££ together before old Beachy Head packs up and goes home.
4. Folland Gnat. Simply beautiful, elegant aeroplane. Wish the Reds still had them...
5. SR-71 - just for the numbers.
6. Any other British military jet, small or large, from 50's to 70's.
Edit: 7. A more recent daydream of mine - lake hopping in a DHC-2 (if my eardrums could stand it), comme ca...
1. Buff - can't imagine what a pig this must be to handle, but I'd love to give it a go...!
2. Spitfire MkV and Mk24 for comparison purposes - sublime to ridiculous?
3. EE Lightning - 50,000 ft/min? Can't imagine what that must be like! Hope I can scrape enough ££ together before old Beachy Head packs up and goes home.
4. Folland Gnat. Simply beautiful, elegant aeroplane. Wish the Reds still had them...
5. SR-71 - just for the numbers.
6. Any other British military jet, small or large, from 50's to 70's.
Edit: 7. A more recent daydream of mine - lake hopping in a DHC-2 (if my eardrums could stand it), comme ca...
Last edited by nacluv; 9th Aug 2008 at 15:31. Reason: Added one final thought...
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Unlike Beagle I am prepared neither to confirm nor deny the Aurora is on my list.
Most of the other likely candidates have been mentioned, but I`ve had a great time flying dull aircraft and a not so great time flying less dull aircraft... It's often as much about people, places and the job you're doing as the aircraft itself....
Having said that I live quite close to the Newark Air Museum and pop in from time to time. Each visit I always make sure I have an extra pound coin put aside to pay to climb aboard the Hastings.
There's something about the aircraft that presses all the right buttons for me....
Maybe those of you that actually flew them may have something else to say on the matter... but it's right at the top of my list.
Most of the other likely candidates have been mentioned, but I`ve had a great time flying dull aircraft and a not so great time flying less dull aircraft... It's often as much about people, places and the job you're doing as the aircraft itself....
Having said that I live quite close to the Newark Air Museum and pop in from time to time. Each visit I always make sure I have an extra pound coin put aside to pay to climb aboard the Hastings.
There's something about the aircraft that presses all the right buttons for me....
Maybe those of you that actually flew them may have something else to say on the matter... but it's right at the top of my list.
Not one of the most memorable types I had the privilege to fly, but at least it was very rewarding when you got it right!.
Last edited by brakedwell; 9th Aug 2008 at 14:24.