If you could fly ANY plane ever built, what would it be?

[windriver]

Thanks for pic brakedwell... you've brightened up an otherwise wet and soggy afternoon... and displaying the glorious Transport Command Flash as well.

And as an added bonus it's parked right next to number 2 on my list...

[brakedwell]

Photo was taken in 1958 at RAF Khormaksar, Aden

[goudie]

Only ever flown gliders but have always loved the Catalina. On this dismal afternoon would love to be island hopping in one around the Pacific.
Brakedwell The first time I flew in a Hastings I was convinced, on take-off, that all the big-ends had gone!

[cliffnemo]

A Lancaster ? No. After an hour , you would be dozing, and would switch on "George" ., then have a sleep.

But a Gloucester Gladiator, fully aerobatic (by forties standard), amongst the clouds, wow. Plus a bit of low flying, and hedge hopping, perfect.

[brakedwell]

Brakedwell The first time I flew in a Hastings I was convinced, on take-off, that all the big-ends had gone!

The Bristol Hercules radial engines had sleeve valves which I think were the cause of clattering noise.

Sleeve valve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[windriver]

The Bristol Hercules radial engines had sleeve valves which I think were the cause of clattering noise.

Don't want to thread drift... but these are part of the attraction...

[Pugilistic Animus]

I didn't tell the whole truth---actually---I'd like to fly ALL OF THEM


PA

[evansb]

To fly before I pass away?

I love tail-draggers.
I love radial engines.
I love open cockpits.
I love single-engine aeroplanes.
I love flying family and friends around.
I love aeroplanes from the 'Golden Era'.
The obvious choice:
The Boeing 40C

[barit1]

The 40C must be one of a very, very few a/c presently flying with the R-1690 Hornet. It was the largest single-row engine my P&W brethren built.

[evansb]

Yup! Please reserve the pilot's seat for me!. Thank you.

[Old Hairy]

Sunderland Mk V......But then I Would, Would'nt I

Evansb. heartily endorse,very dependable donks

[Chugalug2]

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!.

For shame, Brakedwell, to have had the privilege to fly the Hastie and then to be so dismissive of it. For shame Sir! Though I do agree with your latter point. Over the threshold, hanging onto the props and then calling "Cut" for a Tactical Landing. If she came down on all three points and stayed there, the triumph, the sense of achievement, only to be shattered by the Flt Eng claiming the credit as it was his closing of the throttles that had made all the difference! No such claim of course if instead of settling she went bouncing up into the air again!

[brakedwell]

They always took the credit never the blame !

[Old Hairy]

I often wonder who took the blame for mistaking Fontwell Racecourse for Tangmere and carrying out a perfect roller conveyer drop,rumour has it ,it was a raceday

[barit1]

evansb - you realize of course that you have displayed Pratt's THIRD logo. The second was that goofy one from the 70s, and the first was almost the same as your posting -

EXCEPT that the wording on the upper arc read "PRATT & WHITNEY AIRCRAFT".

BTW although the official logo has the birdie facing right as you show, I have also seen decals with him flying the other direction for placement on the port side of the cowl.

[brakedwell]

[QUOTE] Old Hairy. I often wonder who took the blame for mistaking Fontwell Racecourse for Tangmere and carrying out a perfect roller conveyer drop,rumour has it ,it was a raceday[/QUOTE

Ah Tangmere! I managed to deposit a Boscombe Platform in a field on the edge of Oving. Due to an extractor chute malfunction the main parachutes deployed inside the cabin before wrapping themselves around the (Argosy) tailplane. The remaining 14000 lb platform came to a sudden stop on the rear door sill and the nose pitched up. After we crossed the western end of Rwy 27 sinking rapidly with the stick shaker going and both pilot struggling to get the nose down the Boscombe Platform fell out of the back!

[rightbank]

SR71.
FL80 Mach 3.0

Now Mach 3 at 8000 feet really would be something. Presume you meant FL800.

Had a similar conversation with an F/O a few years ago, of our perfect pair of aircraft. As far as I can recall mine were Spitfire/Lightning(EE version) and his were extra 300/F15. There were many other close contenders, including, but not limited to, Mustang, Hunter, Lancaster, Jungmann, Me262 etc

[Stationair8]

Beech 17, Beech 18 or Beech Twin Bonanza
Cessna 152
Cessna C310R
Chipmunk
DC-3
Gates Learjet
Mustang

[Tango and Cash]

P-51 Mustang, hands down.

[jabberwok]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Wright Flyer.

Despite our accumulated wealth of hours (which may or may not be of any use) could any of us have flown that thing? Would you have liked to replace Orville on that first flight? I know I would.