Best Airplane Ever

[stmymdy]

Just wondering what you think is the best airplane ever..Not necessarily one you have flown,
just the one that intrigues you the most or which you would like to fly the most.

My pick is the F-104 Starfighter. I would give anything to fly that plane..

[nimbostratus]

SR-71 Hands down...

[Chuck Ellsworth]

DC3.

[kamikaze]

As a private pilot, the DA-42 ...

Overall, the U-2. Incredible experience I'm sure, and quite challenging to fly also.

[Hedley]

I would give the left nut of everyone here to fly the X-15

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X15

The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and returning with valuable data used in aircraft and spacecraft design. It currently holds the world record for the fastest speed ever reached by a manned aircraft

Maximum speed: Mach 6.70

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... flying.jpg

[iflyforpie]

+1 for the Douglas Racer. I'd love to fly one of those with the old round engines.

[Rockie]

The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and returning with valuable data used in aircraft and spacecraft design. It currently holds the world record for the fastest speed ever reached by a manned aircraft

Maximum speed: Mach 6.70

Not true. The Space Shuttle goes much faster than that.

My pick is the F4. I always thought it was a mean looking machine that's all business.

edit: Actually I take that back. Since I mentioned the Shuttle that's the thing I would most like to fly.

[LegoMan]

Falcon 7X

[MrWings]

For some reason, I always wanted to fly a B-17.

[Brewguy]

The (little known) de Havilland Hornet, or failing that it's more famous older brother, the Mosquito.

[GoinNowhereFast]

I'm with you stmymdy, I'd love to fly in a F-104. Another interesting plane is the F-14, lots of noise, speed and excitement. It's in Top Gun, you can't go wrong with that.

[trampbike]

X15, space shuttle, U2 and Hughes' Hercules!

On the "it's possible" side: Piaggio P180, Extra 300, Pilatus Porter



[edit] I really had to put a photo of such a wonder...

[WhiteBeacon]

The Avro Arrow. A symbol of Canadian pride, or the L1011.

['79K20driver]

I've always thought what a great thrill it would be to fly the Canadian Warplane Heritage's Avro Lancaster. Aside from that, I'd have to say the Super Constellation. I'm not sure about it being the best but it's nice to look at!

[CelBatrin]

SR-71 Hands down...

+1 Cant really argue here. It wins on so many levels.

Personally, I wouldn't mind flying one of these though:

[Shiny Side Up]

They were essential as air and bread.

Didn't some Canadian get into a lot of trouble importing one a while ago?

[CLguy]

Without a doubt, the DeHavilland Mosquito

[North Shore]

Well, considering I'd probably speaking German without them, my vote is for the Hawker Hurricane. Ugly sob, though, so I'd make do with a Spitfire..

[ktcanuck]

No one mentions the TSR2 any more... maybe its history reminds Canucks of the Arrow too much..But it's a lot better looking than the Arrow!!

[kamikaze]

Extra 300

Oh yeah, add that one to my list too

[Brantford Beech Boy]

Anytime Baby!

BBB

[Brewguy]

...maybe its history reminds Canucks of the Arrow too much..But it's a lot better looking than the Arrow!!...

Okay, Them's fightin' words!
Please send me your real name and address so I can come teach you a lesson

Seriously though, what a tough question this is to answer. I'm sure most of us have at least half a dozen aircraft that battle for top spot, for different reasons. Most of the answers given so far are pretty good with the exception of the F-14 ... I mean really, Top Gun is your inspiration? I thought the topic of this was Best Airplane Ever. To each their own I suppose.

[trampbike]

I'm surprised nobody said the Wright flyer. If it would be possible today to try it a little bit over the sand of the Outer Banks, I think it would be a crazy experience.

[Airtids]

Spit MkIX
Concorde

As for the best of the ones I've flown, CF-SBX 'cause she just made soooo much money!!

Tids

[Hedley]

No F-22?

P.S. I might suggest the Cayley Glider, but I'm obviously biased