Posted on Oct 19, 2016
What is, in your opinion, the most iconic fighter aircraft ?
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In my opinion it is the F-15 Eagle, the P45D Mustang, and the SR-71 blackbird.
Posted >1 y ago
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Iconic.... for me, that would be the F4U Corsair. Many, MANY decades ago, it was the most deadly thing in the air in the South Pacific. Sure, the aircraft are faster, carry more weapons, and are probably safer to fly, but those birds are just beautiful with their gull wing design, and the roar of their rotary engines...
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Totally agree. The production numbers (over 15,000 were produced...can you imagine that many F-22s?) tell the story of American manufacturing might. The range (over 2,000 miles with drop tanks) to escort heavy bombers deep into Europe from British bases, speaks to America's uniquely global role in the world. The firepower, maneuverability, and protection afforded the pilot, speaks to the value America places on the lives of it's airmen. Nothing could be more of an icon to the American way of air combat.
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I vote for the P51 Mustang. Most effective fighter on all fronts. And good looking too.
BTW the Blackbird was unable to function as a fighter aircraft as it flew faster then any ordnance available at the time. It would have run into its own bullets and/or missiles.
BTW the Blackbird was unable to function as a fighter aircraft as it flew faster then any ordnance available at the time. It would have run into its own bullets and/or missiles.
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James Adair
well the sr-71 was never meant to be a fighter aircraft. It was a high alt. recon aircraft with a rather questionable safety record yes it could out run missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. it suffered from something known as inlet unstart. http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/weaver_sr71_bailout.html
Bill Weaver SR-71 Blackbird Breakup
Photos, stories, death obituaries, biographies recording legacy of CIA, Air Force, Army men and women work secret atomic, radar, satellite flights in the Nevada desert, Kadena, Okinawa, North Korea, Vietnam
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