If you could only fly one type...
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If you could only fly one type...
Scenario: You are about to be given a plane that magically never runs out of hours, all C of A renewals will be payed for, the plane will be payed for, it's 100% reliable, all engineering and repair work will be payed for and all fuel and insure will be payed for (basically a running and initial cost of £0), any training required to fly it is also paid for. Snag is you can only fly this type of plane and no other ever again. So what's it going to be?
Join Date: May 2003
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Something exactly like this. I saw it flown by Kermit Weeks a couple of months back.
It sounded great and its VERY shiney.
Edited: As noted by LowNslow,
its a P-51C with a 1500 hp Packard V-1650 Merlin
It sounded great and its VERY shiney.
Edited: As noted by LowNslow,
its a P-51C with a 1500 hp Packard V-1650 Merlin
Last edited by Max AirFactor; 29th Dec 2003 at 19:30.
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Bose - Your benefactor is granting your ultimate flying desire. Would'nt you rather take your mates up in a Lancaster or Airforce 1 ?
Actually one of my choices would be a homebuilt (Vans RV-4 or RV-10). I'll do the build myself, funded by Ruperts generous financial package.
Actually one of my choices would be a homebuilt (Vans RV-4 or RV-10). I'll do the build myself, funded by Ruperts generous financial package.
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It may be predictable but there's really only one it could be - Spitfire 1X.
GA types? - Pah! But the ex-military ones like Chippy and Yak are fun, but you don't need an offer like this to fly them.......
Airliners? (even Conorde?) - staight and level therefore ultimately, boring.
Military jets? - pressure-suite, bomedome and squeeeze-trousered isolation terrirtory - self-guided missiles needing miles of tarmac and no contact with the raw sound and the wind. That's not flying.
No, the ultimate pilot's aeroplane must have superb handling, character, a bottomless pit of power, sound superb, be fully aerobatic, be the best looking, and able to operate off grass. There's absolutely no contest.
Single seat, no touring capability - but every red-blooded pilot's dream
Life's too short to consider anything less if an offer like this is made.
I'd be over the Moon if I got to fly one just once
SSD
GA types? - Pah! But the ex-military ones like Chippy and Yak are fun, but you don't need an offer like this to fly them.......
Airliners? (even Conorde?) - staight and level therefore ultimately, boring.
Military jets? - pressure-suite, bomedome and squeeeze-trousered isolation terrirtory - self-guided missiles needing miles of tarmac and no contact with the raw sound and the wind. That's not flying.
No, the ultimate pilot's aeroplane must have superb handling, character, a bottomless pit of power, sound superb, be fully aerobatic, be the best looking, and able to operate off grass. There's absolutely no contest.
Single seat, no touring capability - but every red-blooded pilot's dream
Life's too short to consider anything less if an offer like this is made.I'd be over the Moon if I got to fly one just once
SSD
Last edited by Shaggy Sheep Driver; 29th Dec 2003 at 05:12.
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If I was playing it safe I'd say Chipmunk, as I know I love flying it. However, I'd consider the dangerous option of going for the unknown of a Mustang.
Am I really that predictable?
Am I really that predictable?
I think this demonstrates that there is no "perfect" aeroplane. For me the best compromise would be one of the aerobatic Bonanzas (A36?) or better still one of the Yak-18's with the 450hp engine, loads of grunt, aerobatic (ish), good tourer, 4 seats and SOMEBODY ELSE IS PAYING
PS Max AirFactor that's a P-51C, it does have a Merlin.
PS Max AirFactor that's a P-51C, it does have a Merlin.
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Hell, if it's unlimited hours with someone else paying then i'd fly just about anything... but as I have a choice, maybe I'll have a Focke-Wulf 190-D9... watch out Speedy 
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Would have to be fast and very IFR capable, but also slow, responsive, and aerobatic. Definitely has to have the third wheel at the back, and must also carry at least 4 people. I think Bolkow made something that met most of these requirements? Ideally it would be open-cockpit in the summer, and have a nice cabin heater in the winter, but I think I'm pushing things a bit too far now.....
Personally, though, I'd rather trade in some of the ridiculously expensive aircraft that some people are suggested, and buy four or five much cheaper aircraft instead. Although I know that wasn't an option the way that Rupert phrased the question.
FFF
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Personally, though, I'd rather trade in some of the ridiculously expensive aircraft that some people are suggested, and buy four or five much cheaper aircraft instead. Although I know that wasn't an option the way that Rupert phrased the question.
FFF
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