Best value aircraft that's been in the RAF
A couple of people have mentioned V bombers. I would like to agree having flown them, but they were such a massive drain on the UK's resources and because they were never used for their intended role, their value is hard to quantify. Or perhaps because they weren't used, their value is immeausurable!
I have to agree with those who mention the Air Cadet Gliders and the Chipmunk. I was instructing at the EFTS in the early nineties. We had a Chippy which had been in continuous service since 1949. I think HM Government got their money's worth from that aircraft.
But it's an individual airframe, Chinook ZA718 must be in the running for giving the best value. The famous Bravo November of the Falklands campaign, and others - and now preserved at Hendon.
I have to agree with those who mention the Air Cadet Gliders and the Chipmunk. I was instructing at the EFTS in the early nineties. We had a Chippy which had been in continuous service since 1949. I think HM Government got their money's worth from that aircraft.
But it's an individual airframe, Chinook ZA718 must be in the running for giving the best value. The famous Bravo November of the Falklands campaign, and others - and now preserved at Hendon.
Dan,
Afraid 718 isn't at Hendon - though heaven knows she's more deserving than other airframes in the museum. As an individual aircraft I think 3 DFCs in 3 different campaigns (Falklands, Gulf 2 and Afg) as well as being flown into a lake (Falklands) and shot up (Afg) qualifies the old girl for a dignified retirement. The facsimilie at Hendon is a composite of real and manufactured parts with, IIRC, completely the wrong cockpit donated by Rockwell Collins (no doubt hoping to pressage a future cockpit decision in their favour...which didn't work!!).
Though a Chinook mate myself, I'd find it very hard to argue purely on a value for money basis against the Canberra PR9, JP or Chipmunk.
Afraid 718 isn't at Hendon - though heaven knows she's more deserving than other airframes in the museum. As an individual aircraft I think 3 DFCs in 3 different campaigns (Falklands, Gulf 2 and Afg) as well as being flown into a lake (Falklands) and shot up (Afg) qualifies the old girl for a dignified retirement. The facsimilie at Hendon is a composite of real and manufactured parts with, IIRC, completely the wrong cockpit donated by Rockwell Collins (no doubt hoping to pressage a future cockpit decision in their favour...which didn't work!!).
Though a Chinook mate myself, I'd find it very hard to argue purely on a value for money basis against the Canberra PR9, JP or Chipmunk.
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Phileas Fogg
The Aircrew Manuals for both C Mk1 and CC Mk 2 were clearly labelled Hawker Siddeley Andover. However, I must confess that my log books only show a total of 4660 hrs on Andovers.
PS The entry for Aircraft Type on a Flight Plan was HS74
The Aircrew Manuals for both C Mk1 and CC Mk 2 were clearly labelled Hawker Siddeley Andover. However, I must confess that my log books only show a total of 4660 hrs on Andovers.
PS The entry for Aircraft Type on a Flight Plan was HS74
Last edited by cazatou; 8th Jan 2011 at 08:49.
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Vickers Varsity 1951 to c.1975 a very good navigation trainer .
You could walk up to and get at everything without being a contortionist.
The servicing hours v flying hours must have been good for its time.
In modern times it must be the Hawker Siddeley (later BAe) Hawk. First flight 1974, nearly 1000 sold worldwide to 18 countries and the Hawk T2s we've just bought are expected to be still flying in 2035+!!!
That will be over 61 years of RAF service and a great British export success. Probably our last 'great aircraft marque' as I don't see anything after it getting anywhere near.
"Over 900 Hawk aircraft are in operational service with or have been ordered by 18 customers world-wide, and over 2.5 million flying hours have been logged on the type." - BAES website
LJ
That will be over 61 years of RAF service and a great British export success. Probably our last 'great aircraft marque' as I don't see anything after it getting anywhere near.
"Over 900 Hawk aircraft are in operational service with or have been ordered by 18 customers world-wide, and over 2.5 million flying hours have been logged on the type." - BAES website
LJ
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mgd,
Nope!
They pressed themselves into service, persuaded Strike Command to deploy them to provide Pavespike support for the GR1s and, once in theatre and after some very successful 'support' missions, convinced the powers that be that the GR1s would be better employed elsewhere whilst the Buccs carried on self-designating targets for their own delivered LGBs.
Buccaneer XX901 famously is one of the only recent RAF bombers to be entitled to have an aircraft target depicted underneath its canopy after it successfully identified, targeted and destroyed an Iraqi Cub with a PW2!
Take a look here: IMG_4258 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
You might have to zoom in to see the Cub amongst all the other kills!
Foldie
Didn't they get pressed into service to mark the targets for the 'more up to date' aircraft in 1991?
They pressed themselves into service, persuaded Strike Command to deploy them to provide Pavespike support for the GR1s and, once in theatre and after some very successful 'support' missions, convinced the powers that be that the GR1s would be better employed elsewhere whilst the Buccs carried on self-designating targets for their own delivered LGBs.
Buccaneer XX901 famously is one of the only recent RAF bombers to be entitled to have an aircraft target depicted underneath its canopy after it successfully identified, targeted and destroyed an Iraqi Cub with a PW2!
Take a look here: IMG_4258 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
You might have to zoom in to see the Cub amongst all the other kills!
Foldie
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Despite numerous attempts to replace it over the years, the Avro Shackleton provided loyal and faithful service in the RAF from 1951 to 1990.
ASW
MPA
AEW
SAR
Transport
Involved in many different conflicts or peace keeping operations since Suez.
So, a vote for the Shack.
ASW
MPA
AEW
SAR
Transport
Involved in many different conflicts or peace keeping operations since Suez.
So, a vote for the Shack.
Last edited by larssnowpharter; 8th Jan 2011 at 14:19.
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I go with Hurricane, without which we would not be conducting this discussion.
Tiger-Moth as the primary trainer of those years, reason ditto, and for reasons of long and unimpeachable service, Chipmunk.
More recently, the Hawk for reasons explained elsewhere.
Hunter and Canberra, possibly, if only for numbers in service over a long period.
Sedbergh for sheer financial value.
Strangely missing from the list is the Dakota. Why?
TSR2 for reminding us that politicians are utter tossers. Never will that be bettered.
Two candidates, and for the same specific reason, Catalina and Swordfish, without which the Battle of the Atlantic, and especially the destruction of the Bismark would have changed the course of history.
Tiger-Moth as the primary trainer of those years, reason ditto, and for reasons of long and unimpeachable service, Chipmunk.
More recently, the Hawk for reasons explained elsewhere.
Hunter and Canberra, possibly, if only for numbers in service over a long period.
Sedbergh for sheer financial value.
Strangely missing from the list is the Dakota. Why?
TSR2 for reminding us that politicians are utter tossers. Never will that be bettered.
Two candidates, and for the same specific reason, Catalina and Swordfish, without which the Battle of the Atlantic, and especially the destruction of the Bismark would have changed the course of history.
So my selection is:
CANBERRA PR9 XH131
Built in 1958 and never out of operational service in 48 years and on operations in Afghanistan until a few weeks before its disposal by the RAF in the summer of 2006.
CANBERRA PR9 XH131
Built in 1958 and never out of operational service in 48 years and on operations in Afghanistan until a few weeks before its disposal by the RAF in the summer of 2006.
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Dan W.
You have your doubts about the V's but what about the Victor. It outlasted the other two, was not used but was at least as much a deterrent in its bomber days as the Avro Air Display Aircraft, had its PR version and especialy did stirling work as a Tanker.
You have your doubts about the V's but what about the Victor. It outlasted the other two, was not used but was at least as much a deterrent in its bomber days as the Avro Air Display Aircraft, had its PR version and especialy did stirling work as a Tanker.
P.S, anyone have an idea what the unit cost (of a B24 Liberator) would have been WITHOUT the benefit of lend lease??
According to the USAF museum, A B24 cost $336,000. And the USA made around 18,000 of them. No wonder they could give us a few, no wonder the allies won.
Factsheets : Consolidated B-24D Liberator
Last edited by Rory57; 8th Jan 2011 at 22:15. Reason: Sense
Swordfish
without which the Battle of the Atlantic, and especially the destruction of the Bismark would have changed the course of history.
Buccaneer XX901 famously is one of the only recent RAF bombers to be entitled to have an aircraft target depicted underneath its canopy after it successfully identified, targeted and destroyed an Iraqi Cub with a PW2!
The MiG lost!
I also recall a Pave-spike video (I may have a copy) of an IL76 being LGB'd. Don't know if that was ever 'claimed' by the Bucc fraternity.