Originally Posted by AnotherFSO (Post 11559162)

There must be lots of combat aircraft types over the years that didn't ever get to see action. Of them, which are your favourites?

I'm discounting here the myriad aircraft types that might be considered experimental, odd, lacklustre, humdrum or uninspiring, or were solely involved in non-combat duties (training etc). I'm really looking for examples of mainstream, frontline historic combat aircraft. I'm also discounting types in current air force inventories, on the basis that they might still see combat one day.

So which are your favourites? I had hoped to nominate the English Electric Lightning, but a bit of research shows they were apparently used in a ground-attack role in Saudi Arabia in 1969.

Originally Posted by Quemerford (Post 11559519)

B-47. That really is a strange one, given the numbers and longevity.

Originally Posted by oxenos (Post 11559542)

Hardly outstanding. The idea of the laminar wing was that it would improve on the performance of the Spitfire. in fact, the increase in speed was marginal, the critical Mach No. was lower, and it had poor stall characteristics. They then tried to get the R.N.to accept the Seafang. A carrier aircraft with poor stall characteristics was not the best of ideas. The "Jet Spiteful" evolved into the Attacker, with the same wing, but was not in front line service for long.

Originally Posted by DuncanDoenitz (Post 11559570)

If we include reconnaissance variants, and though outside of declared hostilities, RB-47s were intercepted, fired upon by MiG-15/17s and returned fire during flights over the Soviet Union. Several were damaged and some shot-down.

Originally Posted by treadigraph (Post 11559349)

I was thinking Tigercat but I think they did see some action in Korea?

Originally Posted by radar101 (Post 11559353)

The Supermarine Swift F1

Originally Posted by Germaine (Post 11559905)

D.H Vampire anyone? My father was ground crew in these with 16 sqdn in the late 40's. As far as I know it didnt see combat but I may well be wrong...

Originally Posted by Germaine (Post 11559905)

D.H Vampire anyone? My father was ground crew in these with 16 sqdn in the late 40's. As far as I know it didnt see combat but I may well be wrong...

Originally Posted by Germaine (Post 11559905)

D.H Vampire anyone? My father was ground crew in these with 16 sqdn in the late 40's. As far as I know it didnt see combat but I may well be wrong...

Originally Posted by Quemerford (Post 11559650)

I did consider the RB-47s but was really highlighting that the standard bomber version didn't see combat. It does seem surprising, given that it was in service during Korean conflict and the early days of the Vietnam War. Can't recall if the 'bomber' B-50 saw service either. Possibly not.

Originally Posted by galaxy flyer (Post 11560055)

If the B-47 had seen combat, none of us would be here

Originally Posted by Quemerford (Post 11560069)

You could say the same about the B-52.

Originally Posted by Dr Jekyll (Post 11560202)

The B-52 has seen plenty of combat and will probably see more before it's retired.