THE 10 GREATEST BRITISH MILITARY AIRCRAFT (Thread)
Greatest = Contribution to RAF / UK and pilot appeal.
No. 10: Bae Systems Eurofighter Typhoon. A superb air defence fighter that has successfully embraced strike roles. A modern classic.
Greatest = Contribution to RAF / UK and pilot appeal.
No. 10: Bae Systems Eurofighter Typhoon. A superb air defence fighter that has successfully embraced strike roles. A modern classic.
No. 9: Handley Page Victor. Started life as one of three exceptional V-bomber designs in the 1950s, but owes its incredible longevity to its excellent air refuelling ability.
No. 8: Hawker Hunter. Replaced the Gloster Meteor, our first jet fighter. In doing so, it became and extremely versatile combat aircraft and a great export success.
No. 7: Hawker Harrier: A shining beacon of British innovation. Lack of fuel, payload and range prevents it from reaching a higher place. But still a milestone of aeronautical achievement.
No. 6: Avro Vulcan. Imposing, beautiful and surprisingly stealthy before stealth was a thing. A magnificent-looking aircraft that kept the peace during the Cold War. Its looks alone were deterrent enough, but it was never used in anger, except to bomb Port Stanley.
No. 5: English Electric Lightning. A rocket with wings. Sheer speed and purity of purpose made it an interceptor like no other. A design ahead of its time, this was another great stalwart of the Cold War.
No. 4: Panavia Tornado. First of many cooperative European aircraft projects. It replaced the much loved Phantom (USA) and made-up for the demise of the TSR-2. People said it would be a jack of all trades, but master of none. During the Gulf War, it more than showed its metal,
No. 3: De Havilland Mosquito. The wooden wonder proved to one of the most flexible British Aircraft of WW2. Developed as a bomber, its incredible high speed enabled it to excel at every role: bomber, fighter, fighter-bomber, and PR.
No . 2: The Avro Lancaster. The mainstay of Bomber Command. Constant night raids deep into the heart of Germany helped to neutralise the Nazi war machine. A ruthlessly efficient and practical machine.
No. 1: Supermarine Spitfire. The only fighter that remained in production throughout the war. Immortalised by the Battle of Britain, it rose to save the nation in our darkest hour. Was there any doubt that this would be in first place?
