VOTE: What is the most important US-made aircraft in RAF history?

[Park82]

After the tremendous success of our last RAF Benevolent Fund poll, in which the Tornado won the vote for the RAF's greatest post-WW2 fighter jet, we have decided to run another poll.

This time the vote is to decide:

What is the most important US-made aircraft in RAF history?

To vote, visit our special new 90th anniversary microsite, by clicking on the link below:

www.rafbf90.org.uk

About our new microsite: "90 Faces of the RAF Benevolent Fund":

To celebrate our 90 years of work since being established by Lord Trenchard in 1919, our new microsite features 90 stories about our beneficiaries, history, fundraisers and supporters.

If you visit you can listen to Winston Churchill's famous 1951 radio broadcast on behalf of the RAFBF, watch videos of beneficiaries and serving personnel describe how we help, learn about the enormous support we enjoy among the RAF family and the various ways we are celebrating our 90th anniversary this year.

[Park82]

Dakota added!

After strong demand on other forums we have now added the Douglas Dakota to our vote to find the most important US-made aircraft in RAF history.

At the moment the Hercules and Phantom are battling it out for top spot, with the Liberator and Chinook a good way behind. Five other choices are scrapping it out for the remaining votes.

Please add your vote now and let us know what you think! Just visit:

www.rafbf90.org.uk

and make your choice!

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

What about the B-17 VLRMPA? Battle of the Atlantic and all that.

Duncs

[Finnpog]

Surely the F-111 had an enormous impact on the RAF?

[minigundiplomat]

Easy, the CH-47 Chinook.


I don't remember public outcry because we didn't have enough F4's or F-111.

[green granite]

I think it ought to be the P51 Mustang, probably the most versatile fighter bomber of WW2

[airborne_artist]

I think it ought to be the P51 Mustang, probably the most versatile fighter bomber of WW2

There'll be a few Mosquito and Beaufighter fans who'll take issue with that exact statement. That said, the P51 is up there.

[GPMG]

MGD, we never had F-111's but it did scupper a certain project that is held dear to many an aviation fans heart (of a certain age). Older than me but I remember my Dad going on about it.

[ian16th]

The Consolidated PBY Catalina, Lockheed Hudson, Brewster Buffalo, Bell P-39 Airacobra and Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk / Kittyhawk all come to mind.

Is the Canadair Sabre F-86 to be classed as ‘American’?

If Canadian built/designed a/c are classed as ‘American’, where do we put the De Haviland (Canada) Chipmunk?

The Brewster Buffalo could be nominated as 'important' as it showed just how many things can be got wrong in one a/c.

[Ridge Runner]

I just can't get over the Tornado getting the top spot for the most important British type. What about the Lightning, as one example. Didn't it do a sterlingh job on QRA for many many years. The Tornado, after all, is not a pure bred British product! People are strange. Strange too when the Herc and the F-4 in the US list are up there and others like the many machines of WW2 and post-WW2 RAF that have made huge impacts. The Tornado wouldn't have got my vote! RR

[T-21]

I would say the Harvard because it trained so many RAF pilots.

[Ian Burgess-Barber]

Don't forget the Harvard

I would agree the C47 Dakota would be a front runner but the North American Co. not only fielded the superb (once it got the right engine) Mustang, but also the B25 Mitchell and, simply the best advanced trainer of all - the AT6A later called the Harvard in it's RAF designation. It was fundamental in training RAF (and every other air forces Pilots who trained in it) to fly everything else in the inventory - surely the most important US-made A/C in RAF history?

[Brewster Buffalo]

The Brewster Buffalo could be nominated as 'important' as it showed just how many things can be got wrong in one a/c.

I say..that is a bit harsh. Yes I may be a bit overweight but I did quite well at Singapore where I was outnumbered and poor organisation also meant I was often fighting at a height disadvantage...

When I was a bit trimmer I did well in Finnish winter war..

BB

[mr fish]

i know a few blokes (and women) who are glad we have the SEA KING

[Herod]

Got to be a choice between the C47 and the C130. The first because of the tremendous input of men and equipment in all theatres of WW2, the second because of it's long service (40+ years) of projecting Britain around the globe. Not just in war zones, but in the humanitarian role. It's over thirty years since I last flew the Hercules, but the phrase "the only suitable replacement for an old Hercules is a new Hercules" still holds good.

[powerstall]

The C47 Dakota or the Gooney Bird did have a big role in WWII. Especially in the European theater. And up to now a bit of them are still flying. You gotta give it the DAKOTA.

[AC3854]

'The C47 Dakota or the Gooney Bird did have a big role in WWII. Especially in the European theater. And up to now a bit of them are still flying. You gotta give it the DAKOTA.'

Fed the bloody XIVth Army in Burma as well. Still forgotten ...

[Feather #3]

BB in Singapore?

Say, BB, could you please tell us just exactly how well you did in Singapore??

G'day

[H.Finn]

BB is showing his age, doesn't remember that he just missed our Winter War, but did outstandingly well in the "Continuation War" of 1941 - 44.

[chevvron]

Tornado - the North American RB45 version.(but I didn't say that 'cos we're not officially supposed to know the RAF flew them!)