Jump to content

The most beautiful *military* jet - please post!


Adam Banks

Recommended Posts

This forum is awash with airliners and GA aircraft, but I thought it'd be great idea to see what people consider to be the most beautiful military jet. So ... please post your favourites here - in this topic.

 

1) Has to be a military JET.

2) One pic only.

3) Respect the [general] forum rules - that pics need to show FTX scenery.

4) Say why it's your favourite.

5) If possible, give details of the aircraft add-on/developer.

 

Here's mine:

 

classics_01_42_1350.jpg

 

The Su-27 Flanker is a beauty, but the Hawker Hunter - the archetypal "schoolboy" jet - wins with its flowing lines (and excellent plan view).

 

This is the (surprisingly cheap) Virtavia offering. Works well in P3Dv3.1.

 

If people use the "like" feature for their favourite (as posted by others), we may be able to work out some sort of overall winner!

 

Adam.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't have an image to show yet but my favorite aircraft is the outdated super slick and sexy Northrop F-5E Tiger II. The one I have for FSX is the FlyLogic Fly The Tiger X. Here is what I borrowed from the developer:

 

flythetiger10.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think Chuck liked the F-20 Tigershark, though I believe it's very closely related to the F-5. Someone will hopefully correct me...or prove me right.

As for my take on the most beautiful military jet, I have not yet purchased the FSX/P3D version, because I suck at life. ;)

It's the B-58 Hustler for me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After the F-5E/F the F-20 Tigershark was the next generation aircraft with better everything (speed, modern avionics, etc,) but never went into production. Only 3 prototypes were made. Chuck Yeager was the spokesperson for Northrop and... well, he had to say nice things about the aircraft. :)

 

Edit: And yes, the B-58 Hustler was another beauty! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hht1.jpg

Hawker Hunter T.8 shown here at Tamworth N.S.W.

 

Like I previously said the Hawker Hunter is my favourite military jet.

Graceful lines, beautiful sound and used to see them quite often especially when I was young I imagine flying from nearby Dunsfold. When we moved to Bournemouth in 1966 they were seen very often flying in and out of Hurn with Airwork call signs being refurbished for various air forces so the memories factor plays a big part too.

Hunter T.8 XL584 was built at nearby(for me!) Kingston, Surrey in 1958 for the FAA. It survived until October 1984 when it crashed into the sea off Portland in Dorset with the loss of the pilot.

 

This is the magnificent Hunter by Dave Garwood on the CBFS site

http://www.cbfsim.co.uk/cbfs_lib/thumbnails.php?album=17

 

Great idea Adam. Maybe you can instigate further posts such similar to this in the future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thunderbird_zpswkj561ra.jpg

 

Aerosoft F-16.  But I'm retired Air Force and live in Las Vegas, home of Nellis AFB and the Air Force Thunderbirds, so I'm biased.  :)

 

(FSX Steam, NA SCA with default Las Vegas disabled.  Click on pic for larger version)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My favourite one is... more than one. 1) The B-58 Hustler - not yet a decent payware -, the 2) SR-71 Blackbird - awaiting for an announced MilViz, being the Virtavia one not working properly in P3D v3 -, 3) the F-100 Super Sabre - waiting for the MilViz one - and, last but not the least -, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet - waiting for the P3D v3 updating from VRS, still the best military payware ever -.

f-a-18f-vfa-102-diamondbacks-cag-jp-1217 a.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome!, I didn't know about the Milviz SR-71.  That would be incredible

 

This was really hard.  I find so many military aircraft beautiful too.  SR-71, F-14, F-15, TU-22M3, F-4...........

 

The SR-71 Blackbird was going to be mine.  It has always been my favourite aircraft due to its looks and performance.  Recently though I have considered another aircraft to be the most beautiful, especially after seeing it a few times now at Avalon;

 

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (A,B and C; they all look the same).

 

I just really love the smoothness of the lines on this aircraft.  Nothing sticks out and it is just blended together seamlessly.  Even the interior of the air intakes look awesome.

 

I must have taken about 50 pics, and I'm still not happy with the size, lighting, angle etc.  I'm sure you've all seen it before anyway.

 

2015-12-28_22-47-30-289.jpg

 

This is the Lockheed Martin F-35A from P3D V2.5 which is developed by Dino Cattaneo of IndiaFoxtEcho.  There are also freeware download versions available for FSX and now a payware version with more features.

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, scottharmes6 said:

Awesome!, I didn't know about the Milviz SR-71.  That would be incredible

 

This was really hard.  I find so many military aircraft beautiful too.  SR-71, F-14, F-15, TU-22M3, F-4...........

 

The SR-71 Blackbird was going to be mine.  It has always been my favourite aircraft due to its looks and performance.  Recently though I have considered another aircraft to be the most beautiful, especially after seeing it a few times now at Avalon;

 

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (A,B and C; they all look the same).

 

I just really love the smoothness of the lines on this aircraft.  Nothing sticks out and it is just blended together seamlessly.  Even the interior of the air intakes look awesome.

 

I must have taken about 50 pics, and I'm still not happy with the size, lighting, angle etc.  I'm sure you've all seen it before anyway.

 

2015-12-28_22-47-30-289.jpg

 

This is the Lockheed Martin F-35A from P3D V2.5 which is developed by Dino Cattaneo of IndiaFoxtEcho.  There are also freeware download versions available for FSX and now a payware version with more features.

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

 

 

 

The three models have some differences. For example the "C" model, my fav, the area of the wings are larger ...

 

The difficulty of capturing it in a good angle is a result of its stealth qualities - the entire set absorbs the light! LoL

 

This is the most sophisticated aircraft that was ever made!

 

Thanks,

 

Voyager

 

This is my choice!

 

 

PS: Dino's has a payware package for P3Dv3!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, neucoas said:

The T-45C Goshawk from dinno cattaneo and the L-39

Also he will start a new proyect: Eurofighter Typhoon :)

 

You have to pick one, I'm afraid LOL! T-45 or L39 ... I must say I love them both as well. I'd probably go for the Albatros - as we have one here that flies a lot locally.

 

Dino's work is *exceptional* - amazing that he's tackling such a modern/complex aircraft!!

 

Adam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, neucoas said: The T-45C Goshawk from dinno cattaneo and the L-39

Also he will start a new proyect: Eurofighter Typhoon [emoji4]

 

You have to pick one, I'm afraid LOL! T-45 or L39 ... I must say I love them both as well. I'd probably go for the Albatros - as we have one here that flies a lot locally.

 

Dino's work is *exceptional* - amazing that he's tackling such a modern/complex aircraft!!

 

Adam.

So i pick the T-45. Just because i like this plane most IRL [emoji14]

Neu.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Voyager said:

 

The three models have some differences. For example the "C" model, my fav, the area of the wings are larger ...

 

The difficulty of capturing it in a good angle is a result of its stealth qualities - the entire set absorbs the light! LoL

 

This is the most sophisticated aircraft that was ever made!

 

Thanks,

 

Voyager

 

This is my choice!

 

 

PS: Dino's has a payware package for P3Dv3!

 

 

Yeah, I just meant there were no obvious differences in appearance overall.  Of course the B model has a great big lift fan that the others don't.

 

It's funny you say that about the stealth qualities making it difficult to capture a good image - that was my excuse when half of my shots turned out blurry while taking photos of the F-22 display flight at Avalon back in 2013. :D

 

See this post

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, RJ said:

After the F-5E/F the F-20 Tigershark was the next generation aircraft with better everything (speed, modern avionics, etc,) but never went into production. Only 3 prototypes were made. Chuck Yeager was the spokesperson for Northrop and... well, he had to say nice things about the aircraft. :)

 

Edit: And yes, the B-58 Hustler was another beauty! :)

I was stationed at Suwon AB (ROK)  when one of the F-20's crashed.  F-20 was inverted and floated down like a leave still intact. Unfortunately he ejected inverted. S. Koreans were flying F-5's and F-4's in the 80's.  While there, newly acquired A-10's were patrolling the DMZ. Three of them had bullet holes when they returned. What was interesting was a pilot pulled the wrong handle for the emergency brakes (lost brakes) and ejected the canopy.  Had to replace all those blown ballistics and canopy. These planes were so new I had very little work to do, besides this mishap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wondered how long it'd be before the F-4 turned up!!! Still waiting for someone to vote for the F-104 (Starfighter)!!

 

Here's the voting so far!

 

2 : Dassault Mirage
2 : Hawker Hunter
2 : F-35 JSF

 

1 : Northrop F-5E Tiger
1 : Convair B-58 Hustler
1 : Dornier Alpha Jet
1 : A-4 Skyhawk

1 : F-4E Phantom II

1 : F-14 Tomcat
1 : F-16 Falcon
1 : F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
1 : Eurofighter Typhoon
1 : Boeing T-45

 

Adam.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The B52 is the Queen of them all...there is so many systems and so much aircraft to manage, and so much that can go wrong, that make this the most beautiful military jet of all time....as a young boy I also dreamed of being a captain of this aircraft...:)

 

B52.png

 

This is the Captain Sim B52

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Doogles said:

The B52 is the Queen of them all...there is so many systems and so much aircraft to manage, and so much that can go wrong, that make this the most beautiful military jet of all time....as a young boy I also dreamed of being a captain of this aircraft...:)

 

B52.png

 

This is the Captain Sim B52

I forgot this beauty. Unfortunately this is another one in the waiting room for P3D v3.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great thread!!  Being ex-military, I have several favourites, including the Handley Page Victor - surely the most beautiful bomber shape of all time - but my favourite, by far is the Hawker Hunter.  I remember them in front line service too - they used to do a flame out procedure called a 'one in one' which, as an air traffic controller, I used to dread!  This was a flamed out recovery procedure in which the Hunter needed to descend 1000 ft for every mile travelled in order to reach the airfield with no engine.  They used to practice it all the time.  It required a lot of vectoring and  mental arithmetic on behalf of the controller, not to mention the anxiety of getting it wrong if it was for real!  The engine had a specific noise particular to the Hunter when flat out, called the 'blue note' and once heard, was never forgotten.  I knew the pilot who flew the Hunter through Tower Bridge in London - but that's another story!

 

This picture is of Dave Garwood's fantastic freeware Hunter.

 

Kev

 

Hunter.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excellent idea for a post, Adam ! Jets lends themselves to a beautiful design, difficult to choose between the venomous, Cobra-like, splendid SU-27, the fluid SR 71, the angular Mirage 2000, the iconic Mirage III, the top scorer in all the Israeli-Arabs conflicts. They are all great aircraft but I won't vote for any of them though.   

 

I've only one mil jet in my hangar that I bought yesterday but that already pleases me a lot : the L-39 Albatros. She is not particularly beautiful but this is all I've  for a screenshot, Adam. Not beautiful but a great model, a great VC and great flight model. One aircraft really worth to have. 

 

2015-12-29_14-10-21-152.jpg

 

 

But, this is not the one I will vote either :P, you want the most beautiful jets !

 

I will vote for one which has been forgotten from the posts above so far.

 

Elegant, almost outlandish (figuratively and literally), a challenge to drive, looking  at the bad guys shenanigans for 60 years now, the ship that I'd dream to fly in once, the Lockheed U-2 ! No decent FS model unfortunately exists .

 

PS By the way, who can guess where I took my shot :) ? 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, CZZ said:

 

F-16 beats the F-35 anytime, any where (literally!)

 

16.jpg

 

 

 

Without controversy, but we need to clarify, F-35 is not to be used in dog-fighter operations. Eventually it can happen, but it means that something has failed ... 


The Stealth System is composed of combat platforms (F-35 is aerial part) on land, sea and air, that comprises operations of attack&defense, using those vectors, aiming to gain and maintain air superiority on the lines of defense&combat, against targets in the air, on land or at sea, as per stipulated by the war strategy.

 

In this sense, by the air warfare tasks, F-35 coordinates and implements defense against a threat, or undertake a coordinated attack (e.g. using everything that makes up the network: other aircraft, artillery sites - missiles, ships etc ...).

 

Talk more than that would require many informations, explanations and authorizations.

 

Cheers,

Voyager

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow! What have I done? LOL! What fun though!

 

I'm delighted to see the Starfighter make it - and humbled to hear it submitted by someone that really ought to know too! "Lucky to be alive" is all I can add to that, if the urban legends are to be believed!

 

Also - yes - the U2! How could I forget that one? So elegant. More glider than jet.

 

Interestingly - some of these aircraft look w-a-y better in RL than they do in a sim. The little L-39, for example, looks pretty good in the sim but *stunning* in RL ... and who can forget the Avro Vulcan if they're seen one (and heard it) in RL?

 

I hope people post their idea of "beauty" - rather than whether an aircraft was good at its job. Keep them coming ... I'll keep counting them as they come in! I love the stories that are coming with these too!

 

Adam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Voyager:

 

F-35 reminds me of McNamara's folly, the F-111!

 

From Wikipedia:
In an April 2009 interview with the state-run[164] Global Times, Chen Hu, editor-in-chief of World Military Affairs magazine said that the F-35 is too costly because it attempts to provide the capabilities needed for all three American services in a common airframe.[165] U.S. defense specialist Winslow T. Wheeler and aircraft designer Pierre Sprey have commented of the F-35 being "heavy and sluggish" and possessing "pitifully small load for all that money", further criticizing the value for money of the stealth measures as well as lacking fire safety measures; his final conclusion was that any air force would be better off maintaining its fleets of F-16s and F/A-18s compared to buying into the F-35 program.

 

Why we are stuck with the F-35:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/f-35s-ability-to-evade-budget-cuts-illustrates-challenge-of-paring-defense-spending/2013/03/09/42a6085a-8776-11e2-98a3-b3db6b9ac586_story.html

 

BTW: the heat signature of the F-35 is not desirable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, CZZ said:

Voyager:

 

F-35 reminds me of McNamara's folly, the F-111!

 

From Wikipedia:
In an April 2009 interview with the state-run[164] Global Times, Chen Hu, editor-in-chief of World Military Affairs magazine said that the F-35 is too costly because it attempts to provide the capabilities needed for all three American services in a common airframe.[165] U.S. defense specialist Winslow T. Wheeler and aircraft designer Pierre Sprey have commented of the F-35 being "heavy and sluggish" and possessing "pitifully small load for all that money", further criticizing the value for money of the stealth measures as well as lacking fire safety measures; his final conclusion was that any air force would be better off maintaining its fleets of F-16s and F/A-18s compared to buying into the F-35 program.

 

Why we are stuck with the F-35:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/f-35s-ability-to-evade-budget-cuts-illustrates-challenge-of-paring-defense-spending/2013/03/09/42a6085a-8776-11e2-98a3-b3db6b9ac586_story.html

 

BTW: the heat signature of the F-35 is not desirable.

 

 

And the F-111 turned out just fine!

 

Cheers,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...