Military Plane discussion thread - Let’s talk Fighter/Attacker planes.

[Cedric_Eff]

 

[1Tonka_Truck]

Is it true that the real reason the airforce built the A-10 was to force the Army to scrap the Cheyenne?

The AH-64 was what scared the chair force into actually building the A-10.

Plus politically they're a poison FU pill to the U.S. Army. Offer up a plane with little or no survivability in a CAS environment. So it will have to operate at higher and higher attitude where it can't actually do CAS and is redundant as any F-35, F-15 or drone can carry a bomb and drop it.

SOCOM has wanted a turboprop CAS for a long time. They want a high time on target, high loiter time, low cost platform for highly permissible environments. We've been wearing out high cost airframes running sorties in areas where the largest AA threat is a DShk.

 

[Rancid Flid]

This is quite an interesting plane & only 3 of these Horten HO 229's were built by the Nazi's towards the end of WW2. It was supposedly the first jet propelled flying wing aircraft. I think just one is still in existence & is undergoing restoration at the Smithsonian.

Smithsonian HO229 article

What remains of the last Horten.

In 1943, Luftwaffe chief Herman Goering laid out the so-called 3x1000 specification for a plane that could fly one thousand kilometers an hour carrying one thousand kilograms of bombs with fuel enough to travel one thousand kilometers and back—while still retaining a third of the fuel supply for use in combat. Such an airplane could strike targets in Britain while outrunning any fighters sent to intercept it.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/nazi-germanys-stealth-fighter-story-ho-229-30932

Obviously not a real pic but there are hardly any photos of this plane online.

 

[TiggerNits]

This is quite an interesting plane & only 3 of these Horten HO 229's were built by the Nazi's towards the end of WW2. It was supposedly the first jet propelled flying wing aircraft. I think just one is still in existence & is undergoing restoration at the Smithsonian.

Smithsonian HO229 article

View attachment 878530

What remains of the last Horten.
View attachment 878684



https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/nazi-germanys-stealth-fighter-story-ho-229-30932

Obviously not a real pic but there are hardly any photos of this plane online.
View attachment 878693

Some people really let Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe completely shape their concept about WW2

This is in response to that national interest article, not your post, sorry

 

[TiggerNits]

My nephew just got me to play War Thunder with him a bit this weekend and now I'm constantly thinking about the F6F Hellcat, my absolute favorite prop job.

This girl was the primary Ace Maker (at an impressive 305) of WW2 for the United States. With over 5200 kills and a reported 19.1:1 kill ratio against the Japanese, this thing may not be as iconic as the F4U Corsair, but it certainly burdened a bigger load and proved easier to fly, fight and land. Sure, it benefited from being the primary fighter against the Japanese in the marianas Turkey Shoot, where inexperienced Japanese Zero pilots in large numbers were annihilated by better trained, equipped and more aggressive American pilots with much more combat experience, but it's still hard to argue with the fact that no other allied aircraft managed anything close to the same kill ratios enjoyed by F6F pilots

The Hellcat could outperform almost every single Japanese plane in top speed, stability and overall acceleration, making it the ultimate choice for Zoom and Boom tactics outside of the P-38, which also did amazing against the Japanese in WW2. The Hell cat could outturn the Zero above 250mph, but when it got slow, the lighter Japanese fighters became a real threat, so American pilots learned to never come off the throttle and never engage past 3/4ths of a turn against Japanese fighters, it was better to make a pass, accelerate through it and come back around in the vertical while your wingmen would circle over head to wait for an opening to make theirs. This became known as the Wheel of Death and the meat Grinder, where American pilots would stack their Hellcats a few thousand feet above the enemy and descend in groups of 2 to destroy flights of Japanese aircraft.

If the F4U was "whistling death" for the Japanese pilots, the Hellcat was certainly "inevitable defeat" as the unending swarms of Hellcats would continuously and relentlessly destroy enemy fighters and bombers en masse for the duration of the war. In 1944 the US Navy introduced a radar equipped version that would harass and destroy any attempts for the Japanese forces to hide at night in hopes of resupply, with several F6F-5N crews becoming aces as well.

Marines flying off carriers also used the Hellcat with great success as a strike and CAS platform as well as a fighter, providing support for marine landings at Tarawa, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Saipan to defeat Japanese troops in contact with US ground forces. It could carry bombs, rockets and even the first US "Bunker Buster" the Tiny Tim, a massive rocket for the age that packed more punch than any other rocket int he US inventory. While designed initially for anti-shipping and use by the B-25 and SBC Helldiver, the Hellcat and Corsair used them to great effect destroying Japanese defenses and shipping during the Siege of Okinawa, with the rocket being so powerful that a few planes firing them were damaged by the blast of the rocket motor.

So while the venerable Corsair was immortalized by the exploits of Pappy Boyington and his VMA-214 squadron mates, the face of Air Supremeacy in the Pacific looks different than some would assume

 

[Anonymous For This]

My nephew just got me to play War Thunder with him a bit this weekend and now I'm constantly thinking about the F6F Hellcat, my absolute favorite prop job.

View attachment 881259

This girl was the primary Ace Maker (at an impressive 305) of WW2 for the United States. With over 5200 kills and a reported 19.1:1 kill ratio against the Japanese, this thing may not be as iconic as the F4U Corsair, but it certainly burdened a bigger load and proved easier to fly, fight and land. Sure, it benefited from being the primary fighter against the Japanese in the marianas Turkey Shoot, where inexperienced Japanese Zero pilots in large numbers were annihilated by better trained, equipped and more aggressive American pilots with much more combat experience, but it's still hard to argue with the fact that no other allied aircraft managed anything close to the same kill ratios enjoyed by F6F pilots

View attachment 881266

The Hellcat could outperform almost every single Japanese plane in top speed, stability and overall acceleration, making it the ultimate choice for Zoom and Boom tactics outside of the P-38, which also did amazing against the Japanese in WW2. The Hell cat could outturn the Zero above 250mph, but when it got slow, the lighter Japanese fighters became a real threat, so American pilots learned to never come off the throttle and never engage past 3/4ths of a turn against Japanese fighters, it was better to make a pass, accelerate through it and come back around in the vertical while your wingmen would circle over head to wait for an opening to make theirs. This became known as the Wheel of Death and the meat Grinder, where American pilots would stack their Hellcats a few thousand feet above the enemy and descend in groups of 2 to destroy flights of Japanese aircraft.

View attachment 881271

If the F4U was "whistling death" for the Japanese pilots, the Hellcat was certainly "inevitable defeat" as the unending swarms of Hellcats would continuously and relentlessly destroy enemy fighters and bombers en masse for the duration of the war. In 1944 the US Navy introduced a radar equipped version that would harass and destroy any attempts for the Japanese forces to hide at night in hopes of resupply, with several F6F-5N crews becoming aces as well.

View attachment 881272

Marines flying off carriers also used the Hellcat with great success as a strike and CAS platform as well as a fighter, providing support for marine landings at Tarawa, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Saipan to defeat Japanese troops in contact with US ground forces. It could carry bombs, rockets and even the first US "Bunker Buster" the Tiny Tim, a massive rocket for the age that packed more punch than any other rocket int he US inventory. While designed initially for anti-shipping and use by the B-25 and SBC Helldiver, the Hellcat and Corsair used them to great effect destroying Japanese defenses and shipping during the Siege of Okinawa, with the rocket being so powerful that a few planes firing them were damaged by the blast of the rocket motor.

So while the venerable Corsair was immortalized by the exploits of Pappy Boyington and his VMA-214 squadron mates, the face of Air Supremeacy in the Pacific looks different than some would assume

View attachment 881277

If you haven't already read it, I recommend Samurai! by Saburo Sakai. He was the leading (surviving) Japanese ace of the war. He goes into great detail about how many pants were shit when the Hellcat became the primary adversary of the Zero.

 

[Cedric_Eff]

My nephew just got me to play War Thunder with him a bit this weekend and now I'm constantly thinking about the F6F Hellcat, my absolute favorite prop job.

View attachment 881259

This girl was the primary Ace Maker (at an impressive 305) of WW2 for the United States. With over 5200 kills and a reported 19.1:1 kill ratio against the Japanese, this thing may not be as iconic as the F4U Corsair, but it certainly burdened a bigger load and proved easier to fly, fight and land. Sure, it benefited from being the primary fighter against the Japanese in the marianas Turkey Shoot, where inexperienced Japanese Zero pilots in large numbers were annihilated by better trained, equipped and more aggressive American pilots with much more combat experience, but it's still hard to argue with the fact that no other allied aircraft managed anything close to the same kill ratios enjoyed by F6F pilots

View attachment 881266

The Hellcat could outperform almost every single Japanese plane in top speed, stability and overall acceleration, making it the ultimate choice for Zoom and Boom tactics outside of the P-38, which also did amazing against the Japanese in WW2. The Hell cat could outturn the Zero above 250mph, but when it got slow, the lighter Japanese fighters became a real threat, so American pilots learned to never come off the throttle and never engage past 3/4ths of a turn against Japanese fighters, it was better to make a pass, accelerate through it and come back around in the vertical while your wingmen would circle over head to wait for an opening to make theirs. This became known as the Wheel of Death and the meat Grinder, where American pilots would stack their Hellcats a few thousand feet above the enemy and descend in groups of 2 to destroy flights of Japanese aircraft.

View attachment 881271

If the F4U was "whistling death" for the Japanese pilots, the Hellcat was certainly "inevitable defeat" as the unending swarms of Hellcats would continuously and relentlessly destroy enemy fighters and bombers en masse for the duration of the war. In 1944 the US Navy introduced a radar equipped version that would harass and destroy any attempts for the Japanese forces to hide at night in hopes of resupply, with several F6F-5N crews becoming aces as well.

View attachment 881272

Marines flying off carriers also used the Hellcat with great success as a strike and CAS platform as well as a fighter, providing support for marine landings at Tarawa, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Saipan to defeat Japanese troops in contact with US ground forces. It could carry bombs, rockets and even the first US "Bunker Buster" the Tiny Tim, a massive rocket for the age that packed more punch than any other rocket int he US inventory. While designed initially for anti-shipping and use by the B-25 and SBC Helldiver, the Hellcat and Corsair used them to great effect destroying Japanese defenses and shipping during the Siege of Okinawa, with the rocket being so powerful that a few planes firing them were damaged by the blast of the rocket motor.

So while the venerable Corsair was immortalized by the exploits of Pappy Boyington and his VMA-214 squadron mates, the face of Air Supremeacy in the Pacific looks different than some would assume

View attachment 881277

They don’t make planes like these anymore do they?

 

[TiggerNits]

They don’t make planes like these anymore do they?

Nope. Props are a death sentence on a fighter these days

 

[Cedric_Eff]

Nope. Props are a death sentence on a fighter these days

Well maybe an attack plane, but you’re right about fighters.

 

[Cedric_Eff]

Opinion on this bad boy?

 

[The Dude]

A list of my favorite military planes:

WWII Era:
P-61 Black Widow
P-38 Lightning
P-47 Thunderbolt
A-26 Invader
F4U Corsair
F6F Hellcat
XP-67 Bat

Cold War Era:
F-4 Phantom
A-26 Invader (they were used in Vietnam)
AC-119 Shadow/Stinger
C-124 Globemaster II
F-106 Delta Dart
B-36 Peacemaker
B-58 Hustler
SR-71 Blackbird
XB-70 Valkyrie
Lockheed YF-12
Northrop YB-49

Late-ColdWar to Now
F-14 Tomcat
F-15 Eagle
YF-23 Black Widow II (should have been picked over the F-22 IMHO)
B-1B Lancer
B-2 Spirit
B-52 Stratofortress
Su-57/PAK FA

 

[TiggerNits]

Opinion on this bad boy?
View attachment 887174

The Spad owns in every way shape and form. A friend of the family flew them in Vietnam and then moved over to Huey's and Cobras before retiring and said when he dies he wants to be buried in his old Spad squadron jacket with a control stick in his hand because thats how he wants the almighty to see him before casting judgements

A list of my favorite military planes:

Thats a fun idea

WW2

F6F (Posted about this earlier)
F4F (Gotta respect the legacy)
P40 (The sexiest prop job ever built)
B24 (My grandpa's old ride)
C46 (Looks way cooler than a trampy DC-3)

Cold War (Built after 46 and lacks fly-by-wire)
F-8 Crusader (Always love planes that naturaly have the "Shark Mouth" aesthetic, even without the paint)
F-4 Phantom (Every F4 pilot I know that wasn't also a Spad guy claims it was their favorite thing to fly)
A-1 Sky Raider "Spad" (The last true mud mover)
A-4 Skyhawk "Scooter" (My dad's old ride)
A-7 Corsair (The best possible jet powered follow up to the Spad)
SR-71 Blackbird (Too cool)
B-58 Hustler (It's the Bone's grandpa!
F9F Panther (60% of the time, it works everytime)
F-14 Tomcat (It's a third gen fighter, deal with it)
MiG-21 Fishbed (An AK-47 with wings. Its not elegant or particularly innovative, but it will always work in either design or sheer numbers)
MiG-15 Fagot (lol)

Modern era
The entire Hornet family is really good. Sure the Super Hornet isn't as fast or as long legged as the tomcat, but holy shit is it reliable, efficient and easy to handle. They're flying Leatherman's tools, they're just always useful to have, even if it's just a stable buddy tanker that carries its own missiles. The greatest tragedy of my life was never getting assigned to them
F-22 Raptor (because it's the only 5th gen thats proven to be superior to its 4th gen predecessor)
F-16 Viper (If the Hornet is a leatherman, than the viper is the swiss army knife. Both are great, neither is much better than the other over all, but one is always situationally preferable to the other)
MiG-29 Fulcrum (Looks cool)
B-1B Lancer (The Bone if you're cool. It is the loudest fucking thing with wings when it flies overhead and holy shit watching them fly CAS on the range is life changing)
F-15, but mostly the E (The only bomber that can murder 90% of an enemy's air force in the air, too)
Su-34 Fullback (The only strike fighter with a bathroom)

 

[Mister Qwerty]

 

[Cedric_Eff]

Weirdest looking tanker.

 

[The Dude]

One of my all-time favorite planes is the Douglas A-26 Invader. It's a twin-engine ground attack and light bomber that entered service in WWII and was still kicking major ass during the Vietnam conflict. They had a shit ton of guns, carried a heavy ordnance load for their size, and were even refurbished for Vietnam with stronger wings, under-wing hard points for rockets and gun pods, and wingtip fuel tanks (B-26K/A-26A)

I live about 45mins away from Hill Air Force Base, and they've got a really excellent air museum that has an A-26 painted all black with red accents. It's a gorgeous bird. Next time I'm up there I'll snap some photos to share.

Edit: Here are a few photos of the A-26 that I pulled off the interwebz, along with a couple other planes.

The first photo is the A-26 at Hill AFB, but it isn't a photo that I took.

 

[Cedric_Eff]

Lol

 

[TiggerNits]

Lol
View attachment 894531

I can see right through that faggot

 

[Cedric_Eff]

I can see right through that faggot

Can’t believe that this was one of the best fighter jets ever.

 

[⠠⠠⠅⠑⠋⠋⠁⠇⠎ ⠠⠠⠊⠎ ⠠⠠⠁ ⠠⠠⠋⠁⠛]

F-8 Crusader (Always love planes that naturaly have the "Shark Mouth" aesthetic, even without the paint)

The best modern fighter aircraft produced by the Great Satan, despite being a big ol' thing almost as chubby as the F-4.

 

[Mister Qwerty]