ChiefStealth
US Veteran
I vote for the A-10. Only jet built specifically to protect my butt, on the ground. First saw them during a Reforger. 78, or 79. Can't remember exactly. I had never seen an airplane do the kind of flying that thing could do.
What is your all time favorite military fighter jet?
- Thread starter mojave30cal
- Start date
I like the lines of the ME 262.
I like this choice as well. A game changer. Thankfully to little to late.
M E Morrison
Member
Hopefully this isn't overdoing it, but I got a PM asking about details of an F-8 Crusader saving my bacon.
This was in 1969, shortly after the North Koreans shot down one of our EC-121 spy planes in the Sea of Japan. Them & the Russians were touchy about US presence in that area. The USS Dale was assigned to be plane guard for the next overflight. Since she was a missile only ship, with no guns, the USS Southerland was assigned to keep the NORK gunboats off the Dale. I was the Electronic Warfare operator on the Southerland, so was privy to the antics of all the players.
Sure enough, when the next overflight occurred, two MIG-17's came up & locked their radars onto the EC-121. The Dale locked her Terrier anti aircraft missile control radar onto the MIGs and told them to back off.
About that time we got locked onto by the fire control radars of two Kresta class cruisers, one Kynda class destroyer and a Riga class corvette. They were basically at the four points of the compass, with the little Riga class dead astern. We knew about the Riga, but the big boys were a total surprise - they had been paralleling us just over the horizon. We could not possibly jam three big anti ship missiles at the same time, and were doomed if the Russians launched. The Dale's EW system was not co-operating so I was on my own. The Russians came up in the clear and said "you shoot - we shoot"; right straight to a very tense moment!
The ship's captain got on the radio and called for back-up; a flight of F-8 Crusaders was dispatched. The message came thru - in the clear - so the Russians could hear it. This was not typical, as such messages were encoded, so I knew I wasn't the only one worried - big comfort!
"The Crusaders are weapons free and they are at your command."
Now it's a salemate. Luckily, The Russians blinked first, shut down their missile radars and pulled away. Back in 1969, things were very tense - both with the NORKS, and with the Russians. I had no doubt they were willing to pull the trigger once again - and I was riding the bullseye!
Up until then, I had thought the Crusaders were pretty ugly, and the Phantoms were gorgeous. After that day, I changed my mind and have been a Crusader fan ever since.
This was in 1969, shortly after the North Koreans shot down one of our EC-121 spy planes in the Sea of Japan. Them & the Russians were touchy about US presence in that area. The USS Dale was assigned to be plane guard for the next overflight. Since she was a missile only ship, with no guns, the USS Southerland was assigned to keep the NORK gunboats off the Dale. I was the Electronic Warfare operator on the Southerland, so was privy to the antics of all the players.
Sure enough, when the next overflight occurred, two MIG-17's came up & locked their radars onto the EC-121. The Dale locked her Terrier anti aircraft missile control radar onto the MIGs and told them to back off.
About that time we got locked onto by the fire control radars of two Kresta class cruisers, one Kynda class destroyer and a Riga class corvette. They were basically at the four points of the compass, with the little Riga class dead astern. We knew about the Riga, but the big boys were a total surprise - they had been paralleling us just over the horizon. We could not possibly jam three big anti ship missiles at the same time, and were doomed if the Russians launched. The Dale's EW system was not co-operating so I was on my own. The Russians came up in the clear and said "you shoot - we shoot"; right straight to a very tense moment!
The ship's captain got on the radio and called for back-up; a flight of F-8 Crusaders was dispatched. The message came thru - in the clear - so the Russians could hear it. This was not typical, as such messages were encoded, so I knew I wasn't the only one worried - big comfort!
"The Crusaders are weapons free and they are at your command."
Now it's a salemate. Luckily, The Russians blinked first, shut down their missile radars and pulled away. Back in 1969, things were very tense - both with the NORKS, and with the Russians. I had no doubt they were willing to pull the trigger once again - and I was riding the bullseye!
Up until then, I had thought the Crusaders were pretty ugly, and the Phantoms were gorgeous. After that day, I changed my mind and have been a Crusader fan ever since.
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99savage308
Member
The Brit's Spitfire
Texas Star
US Veteran
Thanks to Mr. Morrison for his thrilling account of an incident that probably never made the news.
Force is all that our enemies understand.
Force is all that our enemies understand.
dcxplant
Member
My first love is the Phantom II. I was a young kid, 17, and fresh out of Millington TN's Navy jet school (ADJ mechanic), and my first fleet assignment was a Marine squadron at MCAS Beaufort's VMFA-251 which still had Phantoms.
My second,love was the F/A-18's we got to replace them. My job changed a lot, and not really for the better...... As an ADJ on the Phantom there was a lot of work done overnight to have the birds needed for the AM sortee, which kept us ADJ's busy in the shop.
When the Hornets came, they were/are like a Honda; they just don't break down! The darn things were so reliable and required such little work we ADJ's were cross-trained and utilized to be plane handlers, glorified line workers...... (this work required no real skill or brains, very boring) imagine going from the pride of using skill and knowledge to keep a fighter jet up and running to being relegated to fueling and marshaling due to no work being needed. More than a few fights broke out when actual engine work needed to be done!
The F/A-18 was a game changer for reliability. We did some engine changes, and some generator changes as the gens didn't like hanging on the AMAD for very long before breaking, but they fixed that issue too.
So, in short, I loved, and still love, that smokey, dirty, oily, knuckle-busting, head-bonking, noisy, fabulous, beautiful, awesome, scary, and deadly Phantom!!
Phantom; proof that thrust conquers all, aerodynamics be damned!
My second,love was the F/A-18's we got to replace them. My job changed a lot, and not really for the better...... As an ADJ on the Phantom there was a lot of work done overnight to have the birds needed for the AM sortee, which kept us ADJ's busy in the shop.
When the Hornets came, they were/are like a Honda; they just don't break down! The darn things were so reliable and required such little work we ADJ's were cross-trained and utilized to be plane handlers, glorified line workers...... (this work required no real skill or brains, very boring) imagine going from the pride of using skill and knowledge to keep a fighter jet up and running to being relegated to fueling and marshaling due to no work being needed. More than a few fights broke out when actual engine work needed to be done!
The F/A-18 was a game changer for reliability. We did some engine changes, and some generator changes as the gens didn't like hanging on the AMAD for very long before breaking, but they fixed that issue too.
So, in short, I loved, and still love, that smokey, dirty, oily, knuckle-busting, head-bonking, noisy, fabulous, beautiful, awesome, scary, and deadly Phantom!!
Phantom; proof that thrust conquers all, aerodynamics be damned!
NO one else has posted this one, and it may not be the classiest, but was the backbone of the reconnaissance and strike capable nuclear fighter bomber during the Cold War. B66.
luangtom
US Veteran
By all means, the F4. That fast-mover got called in and saved many lives on the ground.
The F4 is my favorite. They used to wake me up in Northern Thailand getting ready to make the daily sortie into Viet Nam. Most of them were made in my home town.
I get the impression that pilots would not choose the same plane.
The last time I mentioned the F4 a lot of derisive comments, like like Lead Sled. How times change.
2 would be the F86
3 would be the F4U Corsair (I know its not a jet but It is my favorite piston aircraft.
I get the impression that pilots would not choose the same plane.
The last time I mentioned the F4 a lot of derisive comments, like like Lead Sled. How times change.
2 would be the F86
3 would be the F4U Corsair (I know its not a jet but It is my favorite piston aircraft.
CH47gunner
US Veteran
F-86 Sabre -
Golden age of fighters was WWII & Korea - mainly 'cause of those fire & forget missiles like the sidewinder and sparrow (I know the sparrow needed to have the radar kept locked). Now days the amraam is an over the horizon thing. Not cricket I say.
WWII & Korea was guns/pilot/airplane vs. guns, pilot, & plane.
So favorite jet fighter - F-86 Sabre.
Favorite propeller fighter - F4U Corsair or P-47 Thunderbolt.
Golden age of fighters was WWII & Korea - mainly 'cause of those fire & forget missiles like the sidewinder and sparrow (I know the sparrow needed to have the radar kept locked). Now days the amraam is an over the horizon thing. Not cricket I say.
WWII & Korea was guns/pilot/airplane vs. guns, pilot, & plane.
So favorite jet fighter - F-86 Sabre.
Favorite propeller fighter - F4U Corsair or P-47 Thunderbolt.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Somebody above mentioned the AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile.
It has been a solid performer from the git-go for us and our allies.
And it was a wonderful surprise for the Nationalist Chinese F-86s to use against the ChiComs Mig-17s.
The F-86 was well matched by the Mig-15 but slightly outclassed by the Mig-17.
But the addition of the Sidewinder tilted the playing field in favor of the Sabre.
The F-86 was a great gun fighter but also a great Sidewinder platform.
FOX TWO: The Story of the AIM-9 Sidewinder, by Don Hollway
It has been a solid performer from the git-go for us and our allies.
And it was a wonderful surprise for the Nationalist Chinese F-86s to use against the ChiComs Mig-17s.
The F-86 was well matched by the Mig-15 but slightly outclassed by the Mig-17.
But the addition of the Sidewinder tilted the playing field in favor of the Sabre.
The F-86 was a great gun fighter but also a great Sidewinder platform.
FOX TWO: The Story of the AIM-9 Sidewinder, by Don Hollway
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Texas Star
US Veteran
A couple of points. I talked to an F-15 pilot who said it was a dream to fly, compared to the F-4. He thought sometimes in the F-4,"Please, please turn!" as he maneuvered. The F-15 is much more nimble.
Secondly, it's been mentioned here that the Korean War produced the last dogfights of plane and pilot against comparable hostiles. I'd challenge that, as some dogfights happened over Vietnam.
But it's interesting that in Korea, a Royal Navy Sea Fury piston engined fighter shot down a MiG. Did any other allied prop planes do that?
Secondly, it's been mentioned here that the Korean War produced the last dogfights of plane and pilot against comparable hostiles. I'd challenge that, as some dogfights happened over Vietnam.
But it's interesting that in Korea, a Royal Navy Sea Fury piston engined fighter shot down a MiG. Did any other allied prop planes do that?
Cleveland48
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It's hard not to mention the Russian SU -27 also. Shattered 27 world records, some held by our beloved f 15. And can perform maneuvers no western aircraft could. Some say the raptor can perform some of these also. Its is a beautiful plane in my opinion. I'm sure it would be a tough fight with our majority aircraft like f 15, 16, 18.
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Texas Star
US Veteran
I am worried about the capability of recent Russian and Chinese fighters. And they have a lot of them!
Cleveland48
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Yes, and I'm sure the Ruskies have some very qualified pilots, for the most part anyways.
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M E Morrison
Member
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I like the AC130. Not a jet but neither was the C130 mentioned earlier. But the AC130 can bring a world of hurt to the enemy! Not sure how to post pictures.
Trying to post a link. Angel of Death.
http://youtu.be/vP8AvkSqATs
Trying to post a link. Angel of Death.
http://youtu.be/vP8AvkSqATs
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Bob R
US Veteran
I can attest to that, back in the 80s someone decided P3s needed to be familiar with DACM (Dissimilar Air Combat Maneuvering) so we would go off of the coast of CA and play with the fighters. We always were able to turn inside of an F4 and meet them head on. Occasionally they would go as vertical as well as they could and then come down on us, we would just tighten up the circle under him and when he decided to commit we could turn into him.
The F15s were a different story all together, it would give us a workout trying to stay nose to nose with him.
I am not sure who decided we needed to train like that, the real bad guys would have lobbed a missile at us from so far away we would probably never see them.
Speaking of the MiG 17, I never knew they had an afterburner until this airshow in 2010. Very swept back wings and tail.
bob
Stainz
Member
Put me down for the Me-262. Had Hitler not been a mad man and insisted they waste airframes on a bomber variant - and dedicated production solely to interceptors - the war in Europe would likely have continued. As an interceptor, it carried four 30mm automatic cannon, one round from such being capable of severing a wing from an Allied heavy bomber. It was such a great round that it was copied for the infamous A10's Gatling gun! The other limit was the early Jumo & BMW jet engines with their 10-20 hr lifespan. The 262 was built in limited numbers as a radar equipped 2-seat night fighters, too. It still looks mean close up - like under the B36's wing at Wright-Pat (USAF Museum in Ohio.).
Speaking of the B36... it had, in latter variants, four jet engines. They augmented the six P&W R-4360's in pusher format, mainly on take-off. They would be the first to likely drop an M4 bomb in the first "Broken Arrow" (lost nuc) event. So... it was a 'jet' powered aircraft!
Stainz
Speaking of the B36... it had, in latter variants, four jet engines. They augmented the six P&W R-4360's in pusher format, mainly on take-off. They would be the first to likely drop an M4 bomb in the first "Broken Arrow" (lost nuc) event. So... it was a 'jet' powered aircraft!
Stainz
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The Thud:
LVSteve
Member
I guess if I have to name an old and previously operational plane I would go with the SAAB Draken. Perfect for the 1950's and a steampunk Battlestar Galactica.
Malpasowildlifer
Member
F-14 Tomcat
The Su-27 Flanker family. Beautiful planes. Probably the best 4th gen fighter in the world.
Almost perfect aerodynamically (as opposed to the US philosophy of making inherently unstable acft that require a computer (3 actually) to fly).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/casparsmit/11631885444/in/photolist-iHSsi3-4qeJ92-5pDMeJ-9DwWtJ-a3RHh5-8Gj4Ws-5YJNoU-ikJu1P-boanxT-jq9ayS-hydZWd-fpvNyG-dfdSvx-fwc6bF-oJ9aUM-pcUpm8-hKRAyw-bmtMej-5dYEyC-94dY7a-g4uSYo-bxw6ei-a6w7jA-b4rPrV-p6BWnL-fEgwMg-eSufi5-4KKhej-cqoE8f-5jKod1-BJHPP-eSuhvy-5dYNsL-dNevWN-4qeJ8V-a4VgYi-5diZaG-cYFi4d-m6mKuR-hZLByv-bjBcZd-fz7ddi-ftXCto-6VByyg-5jF4yX-fFWsyi-bsqvgZ-4qeJ8P-frB4rr-i5jbxG
Almost perfect aerodynamically (as opposed to the US philosophy of making inherently unstable acft that require a computer (3 actually) to fly).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/casparsmit/11631885444/in/photolist-iHSsi3-4qeJ92-5pDMeJ-9DwWtJ-a3RHh5-8Gj4Ws-5YJNoU-ikJu1P-boanxT-jq9ayS-hydZWd-fpvNyG-dfdSvx-fwc6bF-oJ9aUM-pcUpm8-hKRAyw-bmtMej-5dYEyC-94dY7a-g4uSYo-bxw6ei-a6w7jA-b4rPrV-p6BWnL-fEgwMg-eSufi5-4KKhej-cqoE8f-5jKod1-BJHPP-eSuhvy-5dYNsL-dNevWN-4qeJ8V-a4VgYi-5diZaG-cYFi4d-m6mKuR-hZLByv-bjBcZd-fz7ddi-ftXCto-6VByyg-5jF4yX-fFWsyi-bsqvgZ-4qeJ8P-frB4rr-i5jbxG
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LB Jefferies
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I'd have to go with my late father's favorite.
His nickname was Thud Guy. (the F-105 was the only one he could walk under without ducking. )
His nickname was Thud Guy. (the F-105 was the only one he could walk under without ducking.
)
Those SAAB planes...
Those SAAB planes look extra cool, kind of dangerous looking. Especially the Draken. Something about those inlets pushed far forward make them look like the silhouette of a linebacker or maybe Optimus Prime from the Transformers.
https://www.google.com/search?q=saa...%2FSaab-J35J-Draken%2F1069547%2FL%2F;1100;748
Those SAAB planes look extra cool, kind of dangerous looking. Especially the Draken. Something about those inlets pushed far forward make them look like the silhouette of a linebacker or maybe Optimus Prime from the Transformers.
https://www.google.com/search?q=saa...%2FSaab-J35J-Draken%2F1069547%2FL%2F;1100;748
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