I’m mostly an armor modeler, and build the occasional ship or scifi model. I don’t really have any aircraft in my present collection (I built tons of them when I was a kid), mostly because they take up a lot of display space.
But I’d like to make at least three aircraft to display – a WWI aircraft, a WWII aircraft and a modern aircraft. I’ve already decided on the WWI and WWII aircraft. (I’m not telling!)
Help me out with the modern jet aircraft. What is the quintessential post-WWII jet combat craft?
Yes, I know, it’s an insane question. I don’t mean to start a debate, and would appreciate it if respondants did not argue with each other’s choices. But if you had to go to another planet and typify the combat jet during the entire 1946-2005 period to the aliens, which one single aircraft would you bring? “There is no answer” and “it depends” are not answers! [(-D] (Feel free to interpret archetypal loosely – it can be a later aircraft.)
The feedback will be taken very seriously, and will definitely result in a built kit. An aircraft that immediately springs to mind is the B-52, but the Phantom, the F-16 and the MiG-15 also seem to loom large.
Ok, so the MiG-29 comes in for the job interview as spokemodel for all the post-war jet combat. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) How does it sell itself in the interview?
Don’t need a specific answer from you, Tankie, just asked that to show where my brain is on this one. Thanks for the suggestion.
F-4 Phantom - It served with 3 branches of the US military and was exported everywhere. It was used from the early 60’s until now. It’s been everywhere. Plus, it looks mean.
I would “second!” the F-4 nomination. It is purely a war machine looking bird. A very very close second would be another with the look of just being built to fight - the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Those are my two fav’s.
From the other side of the globe, the Su-27 would have to be a nominee, too.
The Tomcat probably gets my vote. What other jet can claim such a radically awesome movie attached to it such as “Top Gun.” I’m sure that forum members have this on their DVD shelf along with “The Great Escape” and “Tora Tora Tora.”
F-105 Thunderchief, designed to be a Nuclear strike fighter. Made its reputation hauling iron bombs over North Vietnam. Looked fast and was. Plus it was a Wild Weasel when Wild Weasel was in its infancy.
Ohhhhh…i dunno…
I personally have a special place in my heart for the F-86 Sabre. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever created… That, and it may have been the only “true” dogfighter in American jet aircraft history. No offence intended to the brave souls that have flown in modern era missle combat… but there’s something to be said about having to get your kill with a gun solution.
My other suggestion would be the often over-looked A-6 Intruder. Talk about an enduring air frame… that thing is as old as sin and it still puts foot-to-arse! [(-D][(-D][(-D]
Good luck, have fun…and let us know what you pick!
Well, here I go throwing in my [2c] worth. I would have to say the F-4E or J Phantom II. There is just something about that plane that states look out I am coming. My number 2 pick would probably be an A-10. That plane just looks mean. Like I said, that is my opionion for what it’s worth.
I would say the F-15 Eagle. Are there any other aircraft around that have a 100 kills to 0 death ratio?
Or the A-10 Warthog, the most beautiful combat jet ever!!
[2c]
Cheers,
John
I think the F-4 would have to be the obvious choice. Because of what was said above… and the fact that it was really not an appropriate design at first. It was tweaked and polished into one of the post WWII timeframe’s most versatile and widely used fighters.
You said Quintessential… first thing that popped into my head was the F-86, but I agree with the majority here. For quintessentiality (is that even a word?!) it HAS to be the F-4 or its chief rival, the MiG-21. Both continue to serve around the world nearly fifty years after they were designed. Can’t get much more quintessential than that!
The fat nosed, bent winged, droopy tailed beast from McDonnell Douglas. It has to be the meanest looking fighter ever, and it lived up to it’s looks. The Phabulous Phantom.
For all the reasons stated above my vote would have to be the F-4, but would have to lean towards the F-4B or -J models being ex-Navy. Besides the 'Nam era -Bs and Js were more colorful than their AF and USMC cousins.
Dick McC