Best value aircraft that's been in the RAF
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Chipmunk. Cost sixpence, went on for ever, trained every aviator worth his salt, so robust and simple that even a pongo could fly it. No contest.
Except the Mossie of course. Could be built by a pre-1960s school boy, completely bio-degradeable and could do everything and then some. A looker too.
Except the Mossie of course. Could be built by a pre-1960s school boy, completely bio-degradeable and could do everything and then some. A looker too.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Chipmunk. Cost sixpence, went on for ever, trained every aviator worth his salt, so robust and simple that even a pongo could fly it. No contest.
Except the Mossie of course. Could be built by a pre-1960s school boy, completely bio-degradeable and could do everything and then some. A looker too.
Except the Mossie of course. Could be built by a pre-1960s school boy, completely bio-degradeable and could do everything and then some. A looker too.
I remember the incident report when PC Plod put his helmet through the canopy. Now It may not have been a bobbies helmet buy it made a great cartoon.
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value vs cost
I'm sure the little training aircraft and the helicopters are very useful
Avoid imitations
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You are absolutly right.............. Stuff the Wessex it has to be the Puma!
Surely not. Folk have been saying they are unsuitable for military service and will therefore never last the pace....
....... since 1971. They were 'just about to be replaced' in 1979. And again in the mid 1980s. And in the 1990s....and the 2000s? 2010s...?
As they enter their fifth decade of service, they are the Cliff Richard of SH, lol!
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As they enter their fifth decade of service, they are the Cliff Richard of SH, lol! 
Wessex v Puma
The Wessex was built like a brick s..t house, so you could never really do a heavy landing(?). The Puma could be a pig and would bite if not respected, that said, it could do far more than the ole Wessex at almost twice the speed.
And if you then add 'fun' into the equation, then ....
And if you then add 'fun' into the equation, then ....
Avoid imitations
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Having flown both Wessex 5 (Navy version) and Puma HC1, both have their own plusses and minuses.
In NI the bomb disposal men had an underslung load (trailer) that the Wessex 2 couldn't lift so it used to go under a Puma.
SH didn't go into certain 'hot' areas without mutual support from another helicopter. The convoluted way that SH was tasked meant that the other heli might be a Wessex from another local job. If so, the trick was to fly the USL at a high cruise speed, to get the following Wessex pilot to call "Buster" over the RT (= I can't keep up).
Having said that, if I had to crash, I'd rather have been in a Wessex as the pilot sits further from the scene of the accident.
Shame the RAF never bought the "Super Wessex" i.e. Blackhawk with RTM engines.
[As for the Puma biting, yes it does have certain bad habits. That's why Pumas demanded a better standard of pilot].
In NI the bomb disposal men had an underslung load (trailer) that the Wessex 2 couldn't lift so it used to go under a Puma.
SH didn't go into certain 'hot' areas without mutual support from another helicopter. The convoluted way that SH was tasked meant that the other heli might be a Wessex from another local job. If so, the trick was to fly the USL at a high cruise speed, to get the following Wessex pilot to call "Buster" over the RT (= I can't keep up).
Having said that, if I had to crash, I'd rather have been in a Wessex as the pilot sits further from the scene of the accident.
Shame the RAF never bought the "Super Wessex" i.e. Blackhawk with RTM engines.
[As for the Puma biting, yes it does have certain bad habits. That's why Pumas demanded a better standard of pilot].
The Wessex was built like a brick s..t house, so you could never really do a heavy landing(?).
Gentlemen, gentlemen, I feel you're missing the point. Surely the best value for money aircraft is the one that puts more smiles on your face per flying hour. For that there is only 1 contender:-
I give you the incomparable Lightning
I give you the incomparable Lightning
Phantom - for its good looks if nothing else!
FB
Actually, I have to admit Max, the Phantom like Lightning has a certain thing about it! Rather like some bird who isn't quite a catwalk model like the Mirage III but there is a certainly something going on there!
FB
FB
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Finningley Boy, if you'd ever been airborne in an F4 or a Buccaneer, you might take a different view from your post # 116 . . . . 
Most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!
Most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!
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Deep breath here....
May I propose the AVRO 504?
First flew in 1913, production finished almost 20 years later. Must have been dirt cheap but was the primary RAF trainer from the end of WW1 until (Wiki) replaced by the Avro Tutor in 1933.
Must have been superb value for money ....
And I see someone has already mentioned it ....
May I propose the AVRO 504?
First flew in 1913, production finished almost 20 years later. Must have been dirt cheap but was the primary RAF trainer from the end of WW1 until (Wiki) replaced by the Avro Tutor in 1933.
Must have been superb value for money ....
And I see someone has already mentioned it ....
Last edited by Unixman; 25th Jan 2011 at 11:37.
Johnfairr,
I'm afraid the only time I had to fly a Phantom was crashing the simulator at Coningsby in Ocotber 1978. I shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near it. I was a scopie you know. But I'll bow to your's and Max's knowledge and experience. I do think they both are more business like than the Tonka or Jaguar.
Better standby to address comments from that crowd now.
FB
I'm afraid the only time I had to fly a Phantom was crashing the simulator at Coningsby in Ocotber 1978. I shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near it. I was a scopie you know. But I'll bow to your's and Max's knowledge and experience. I do think they both are more business like than the Tonka or Jaguar.
Better standby to address comments from that crowd now.
FB