What is (in your opinion) the BEST fighter plane that has EVER served in the Navy / Marine Corps?

[Jim123]

P.S.: Seriously...anyone know WTF a "petard" is?!?

It's French for firecracker.

From wiki: "...from the Middle French peter, to break wind"

And just like that, the thread has turned to poopy humor!

As for the original question, I'm gonna side with BzB and say F6F- a very good airplane to fly, fight, and fix. Then we built tons of them and our guys used them to dominate the Pacific.

 

[BUDU]

From wiki: "...from the Middle French peter, to break wind"

And just like that, the thread has turned to poopy humor!

If I recall correctly, it was used as an early breaching explosive. Very risky, and those who rigged the explosives were often killed by them--hoisted by their own petard.

The things I learned from Age of Empires as a kid...

 

[BusyBee604]

Now, for best US Naval aircraft ever, I would have to argue that the following best supported the mission of the aircraft carrier as defined by the US Navy (22 x Mk82 and 18k of gas, yeah baby):

Being a career 'Kiddy Kart' driver, I never flew the 'truder; however, having accompanied it on combat strikes quite often back in the middle ages ...I totally agree with your statement. My fave movies: Tie 'twixt Flight of the Intruder & The Bridges at Toko-Ri!
BzB

 

[villanelle]

Oh good. This thread has now gone full petard.

 

[sodajones]

All your arguments are invalid.

 

[scoolbubba]

P3 Orion.

 

[Brett327]

How much more can we collectively tollerate? Maybe I should start a best beer in the world thread (just for fun).

 

[sodajones]

How much more can we collectively tollerate? Maybe I should start a best beer in the world thread (just for fun).

Alpha Centauri Binary IPA from Hop Valley Brewery in Eugene.

20P, 100+ IBU, 8.5% ABV

 

[Pugs]

How much more can we collectively tollerate? Maybe I should start a best beer in the world thread (just for fun).

Had a bottle of this yesterday - http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/harvest.html The boys and girls of Sierra Nevada consistently turn out a great product.

Question at hand requires multiple categories of answer

· Naval Air plane that had the most influence on history? - SBD - Was instrumental in putting Japanese iron on the bottom and turning the tide in the Pacific.

· Plane that likely had the biggest affect? The PBY - delivered more intel and scouting than anything else from minimal places and helped the decision makers get the info they needed. May have to say the P-3 as the logical follow on.

· Plane that the Navy got the best dollars/service life and mission out of? Gotta be the A-4. 49 years of service in a huge variety of roles. Certainly the plane most of us recall as the best ride in flight school.

 

[Jim123]

How much more can we collectively tollerate? Maybe I should start a best beer in the world thread (just for fun).

Free beer. (duh)

Next question!

 

[Grimace]

Just for fun: What is your favorite / or in your opinion the very BEST fighter plane the Navy or Marines have EVER taken to the skies?

In terms of an aircraft almost single-handedly winning a war, it's got t obe the F6F Hellcat, no question.

 

[helolumpy]

Plane that the Navy got the best dollars/service life and mission out of? Gotta be the A-4. 49 years of service in a huge variety of roles. Certainly the plane most of us recall as the best ride in flight school.

Not to disparage the venerable A-4 (and bring the wrath of BZB upon myself), but from the rotary wing side of the house, it's a pretty clear winner for the dollar/service life race.
I'd give the edge to the the H-3 Sea King over the NAVY CH-46 since it had a 45 year career and had the warfare missions of ASW and CSAR in addtion to Pax/Mail/Cargo that the H-46 did

I realize the Marines may take a different view since the H-46 was more instrumental to the Marine Corps' mission than the H-46 was to the Navy's mission.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Alpha Centauri Binary IPA from Hop Valley Brewery in Eugene.

20P, 100+ IBU, 8.5% ABV

Interesting, that's from my home town and I have never heard of it. Will have to try next time I'm home

 

[BusyBee604]

Not to disparage the venerable A-4 (and bring the wrath of BZB upon myself), but from the rotary wing side of the house, it's a pretty clear winner for the dollar/service life race.
I'd give the edge to the the H-3 Sea King.

Lumpy, how could I shower wrath upon you after extolling the life-saving virtues of the ol' Sea King on another thread? The ghost of Fetch 53 would haunt me forevermore!
BzB

 

[phrogpilot73]

... since it had a 45 year career...

I realize the Marines may take a different view since the H-46 was more instrumental to the Marine Corps' mission than the H-46 was to the Navy's mission.

45 year career? That's it?!?

And you're right, I'll take a different view on the 46... First off, 48 year career (thusfar) - when finally retired it will be a 52 year career. Any assault support mission you want, she'll do.