Best value aircraft that's been in the RAF
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All worthy contenders I'm sure
Anybody considered the WESSEX?
Tough old bird, in service with the RAF and Navy for over 40 years.
SAR and SH and she played a vital role in the "bog" throughout all the troubles.
And yes, she was a joy to fly!!
Anybody considered the WESSEX?
Tough old bird, in service with the RAF and Navy for over 40 years.
SAR and SH and she played a vital role in the "bog" throughout all the troubles.
And yes, she was a joy to fly!!
)
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Dominie - Sep 1965 to Jan 2011
45 Years - A vast amount of that at low level, No losses and a squillion flying hours and still going strong at the end.
45 Years - A vast amount of that at low level, No losses and a squillion flying hours and still going strong at the end.
Last edited by PumpCockMixMags; 6th Jan 2011 at 19:07.
Perhaps it was one of the humble, unsung heroes which provided years of sterling support....
...the simple, cheap-as-chips Jet Provost. Trained thousands of RAF pilots, back in the days when the RAF could afford proper flying training.
Certainly not some 'orrible clattering 'elicopter which doesn't really fly - but is merely repelled from the Earth by its own ugliness...
...the simple, cheap-as-chips Jet Provost. Trained thousands of RAF pilots, back in the days when the RAF could afford proper flying training.
Certainly not some 'orrible clattering 'elicopter which doesn't really fly - but is merely repelled from the Earth by its own ugliness...
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The question was - what's the best aircraft that's ever been in service - op usefulness, value vs cost, longevity, upgrades etc.
BEagle has a very good point. Jet Provost. Be interesting to know overall service fleet hours for different aircraft types.
BEagle has a very good point. Jet Provost. Be interesting to know overall service fleet hours for different aircraft types.
Why only relatively modern types?
But if we're delving into ancient history, how about another Avro product, the Anson? Not exciting or glamorous, but 32 years in RAF service, Bomber Command (RIP
), Coastal Command (RIP), Training Command, over 11,000 built (mostly at Woodford RIP) in nearly 20 versions...
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The de Havilland Mosquito,
Made of wood, truly a jack of all trades and has inspired potential young airmen (and women) after they watched the film 633 Sqn for generations…….fantastic!
Made of wood, truly a jack of all trades and has inspired potential young airmen (and women) after they watched the film 633 Sqn for generations…….fantastic!
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Even the Avro Andover 
Whatever type it has to be an Avro, who cares about bean counters, it was the Lanc that was the premier bomber of WWII, the Shackleton speaks for itself in it's primary bomber role and then, when even in those days Macaroni were phucking up the Nimrod, it continued, and continued, and continued in the AEW role, the Vulcan speaks for itself, the Anson, another fantastic aircraft, even the Andover was selected for HM 'Queens Flight'.
Talk about JP's, Dominies, helichopters, C-130's, ex civil airliners etc, have any played a significant role in saving Europe, the World, from speaking German or Japanese and/or have they actually played a significant role in saving our shores?
If only there were manufacturers like A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd around in this day and age, aviation might remain a little more interesting!
Whatever type it has to be an Avro, who cares about bean counters, it was the Lanc that was the premier bomber of WWII, the Shackleton speaks for itself in it's primary bomber role and then, when even in those days Macaroni were phucking up the Nimrod, it continued, and continued, and continued in the AEW role, the Vulcan speaks for itself, the Anson, another fantastic aircraft, even the Andover was selected for HM 'Queens Flight'.
Talk about JP's, Dominies, helichopters, C-130's, ex civil airliners etc, have any played a significant role in saving Europe, the World, from speaking German or Japanese and/or have they actually played a significant role in saving our shores?
If only there were manufacturers like A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd around in this day and age, aviation might remain a little more interesting!
Avoid imitations
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On a straight value for money basis, I think the Slingsby T-31 glider must be considered somewhere in the equation. Many future RAF pilots were inspired by flying training in this aircraft.
Certainly not some 'orrible clattering 'elicopter which doesn't really fly - but is merely repelled from the Earth by its own ugliness...
More bang for your buck
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In 1940 the Spitfire cost £5000 ish, that translates into today's value of around £400,000 - £500,000s, apart from speed, what can the Modern £30million Typhoon do better? 
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if purely on a value for money level, i'd like to nominate coastal command
B24's.
70+ u boats sunk during the battle of the atlantic!!
although i must confess to not knowing how many of these sinkings were purely RAF
P.S, anyone have an idea what the unit cost would have been WITHOUT the benefit of lend lease??
B24's.
70+ u boats sunk during the battle of the atlantic!!
although i must confess to not knowing how many of these sinkings were purely RAF
P.S, anyone have an idea what the unit cost would have been WITHOUT the benefit of lend lease??
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Avro504 series 1913-mid '30s [and still flying] trained umteen pilots and bombed the "Hun" [sic] on the 21st Nov 1914. Deserves an honourable mention....
Last edited by chiglet; 7th Jan 2011 at 23:18. Reason: fninger truubl
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I would second chiglet, assuming he means the 504. Regrettably, I can find no record of the unit cost. It didn't seem to matter in those days.
I do know that around 1947, my dad bought a 504 descendent, a Cadet, for £5. He gave the aeroplane to the ATC, and I've got the airscrew.
For value, I suppose we might be thinking Mosquito. I would have said Lancaster but range, bomb load, suvivability aganst unit cost?
It's one of those my dads harder than your dad arguments really.
I do know that around 1947, my dad bought a 504 descendent, a Cadet, for £5. He gave the aeroplane to the ATC, and I've got the airscrew.
For value, I suppose we might be thinking Mosquito. I would have said Lancaster but range, bomb load, suvivability aganst unit cost?
It's one of those my dads harder than your dad arguments really.
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The Air Cadets T21 Sedberg gliders - bought in early 1950's for £750 each. Sold in 1984 for £750 each!!
About 30 000 launches per glider, OK only about 2 000 hours flown per airframe at 4 minute circuits but value for money in terms of big grins on Cadet's faces?
About 30 000 launches per glider, OK only about 2 000 hours flown per airframe at 4 minute circuits but value for money in terms of big grins on Cadet's faces?