What's the best LOOKING fighter plane ever?

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2005-12-18 03:35pm

H-4

http://python.rice.edu/~brooks/Family/S ... ges/28.jpg

and the TSR-2

http://www.f-111.net/images/tsr2-F-111.jpg

EDIT:
B-1 bomber

http://public.andrews.amc.af.mil/jsoh/i ... _large.jpg

EDIT2: yes, I *am* aware none of these are fighters...

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2005-12-18 03:50pm

LordShaithis wrote:Just to wander off the beaten path a bit, here's a Brazilian light ground-attack plane called the ALX. It's quite nice looking, in a throwback sort of way. You just don't see many modern prop-driven military aircraft of this size.

If you don't need speed and efficiency is important to you then a turbo prop is a nice solution. On a ground attack plane it is certainly workable.

And that plane looks like a Pilatus PC-12 with guns.

LordShaithis · Post by **LordShaithis** » 2005-12-18 04:16pm

Despite it being a pretty nondescript plane, I love the "World War Twoiness" of the design.
How can you not love this?

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-12-18 08:09pm

I love COIN aircraft.

The Skyraider - truly a thing of beauty.

The Pucara - great plane that got a bad rep because the Argie's used it in a stupid fucking way during the Falklands.

Su-25 Frogfoot - beauty IS a beast.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2005-12-18 08:37pm

they may not able to keep up with the best American and Russian fighters, but those crazy Sweedes make some fucking cool looking aircraft!

DarkSilver · Post by **DarkSilver** » 2005-12-18 10:38pm

The sweep-wing of the F-14 Tomcat is just...a thing of awe and wonder
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/ ... _swept.jpg (de-inlined for excessive size)

But for the brute force look, I ove the Harrier for some odd reason....

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-12-19 01:07am

Bah, not nearly enough hardpoints on a harrier for it to have a "brute force" look.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2005-12-19 06:29am

Crix Dorius wrote:My favourite Sukhoi Su-47

The Golden Eagle cannot be outmatched. Its ridiculously sexy.

Post by **Vympel** » 2005-12-19 07:26am

It's too bad the PAK FA will emulate the Su-47 only generally and will abandon the FSW for more conventional, F-22A style wings.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-12-19 10:29am

for me it's got a nasty mouth full of razors and shoots down japanese bombers.

P-40 please

The Jazz Intern · Post by **The Jazz Intern** » 2005-12-19 11:29pm

Hm... I am not as knowledge of fighter planes, ( I have much to learn)
But I do like a few.

Firstly, Sopwith camels. I saw one painted in beautiful colors before, and I like biplanes.

And I like the f-22, it has a pretty wing shape.

And finally, one thats not really a fighter, but I love its smooth metal body, without that sharp, carved look, we have the B-2!

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-12-19 11:42pm

My two favourite WW2 beauties:

The P-47 "Jug":

The il-2 Sturmovik:

Runners up include the Corsair, the Bristol Beaufighter and the P-38 Lightning.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2005-12-20 02:02am

Single Engine Jet Aircraft: I'd have to say the F-5/F-20
Multi Engine Jet Aircraft: A-10
Single Engine prop: P-40
Multi-Engine prop: P-3 Orion

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-12-20 05:30am

The F-14 Tomcat is my favorite.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-14

And the Mig-29:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2005-12-20 07:35am

Albatros D.III

The juxtaposition of the vertical rudder with the gentle curve of the tail fin, the raked wingtips, the streamlined fuselage...beautamous.
The Albatros family of fighters were all really good-looking, but the D.III had a balance the D.I, D.II, D.V, and D.Va lacked.

starfury · Post by **starfury** » 2005-12-20 09:21am

I forgot for World war II prop Planes

Ki-61 and Supermarine spitfire and P-51

All sleek beautiful designs.

http://www.vectorsite.net/avp51.html

http://www.vectorsite.net/avhien.html

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

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2005-12-21 09:00am

Crix Dorius wrote:My favourite Sukhoi Su-47

*snip picture*

OUt of intrest, what are the (dis)advantages of such wing designs? Slower yet more nimble?

Oh and:
WW1: Fokker DR1

I mean, comon. It's color alone tells you it doesn't take shit from no-one

WW2: Tie between the F4U Corsair and the Spitfire

Modern: That Su-47 thingy

Vanas · Post by **Vanas** » 2005-12-21 02:15pm

After a quick review (The 'best fighters of all time' programme I saw a while back. Missed all the good ones, too...), I need to add the Me-262 and the Bristol Beaufighter to the list. I forgot just how good the Beaufighter looks, while the 262 just looks... nasty.

theski · Post by **theski** » 2005-12-21 03:53pm

I love this view

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-12-21 04:56pm

Bristol Beaufighter:

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2005-12-21 07:17pm

looks pretty big to be a fighter of that era.

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-12-21 07:24pm

The Beaufighter was a true strikefighter. It had a shitload of MGs and cannons as well as rocket racks. And it was used to great effect by the RAAF.

And to prove its ultimate bad-arsery. They put in a rear spotter, without a gun mount - that's how awesome they are...

Wyrm · Post by **Wyrm** » 2005-12-21 09:08pm

Me agree with HDS: the MiG-29 is cool.

Why am I such a sucker for beefy planes? Just look at that beauty shot!

Oh, and just so the Fokker DR1 isn't lonely up there...

/me flies away at full tilt atop a red doghouse.

Post by **weemadando** » 2005-12-21 09:59pm

Mmmmm... LO:MAC screenie.

nickolay1 · Post by **nickolay1** » 2005-12-21 10:03pm

My votes goes to the F-22. They are quite impressive to watch when they execute 70-80 degree climbs soon after takeoff here at the base.