Best Aircraft ever....

[admin]

Ok... Please submit your thoughts on what you think the best aircraft ever in production was or is.

Criteria:

1. Can be commercial, freight, military or private
2. Can be a jet or a prop
3. Can't be a prototype
4. There has to be or have been more than 2 of your choice in existance


Now... I had a tough decision... I really do admire early fliers, especially the Wright Flyer (that was an aviation breakthrough)... but I prefer modern aviation. In my opinion is has to be a Boeing - so I narrowed it down to 2 aircraft - The Boeing 737 and 757 airplanes.

In the end, It had to be the 737. I think this aircraft has done so much for aviation - it set the standard companies like Airbus had to meet to compete with it. It may have had a few problems over the years, but the amount of compaines it is in use b is staggering... on average there are 1,250 737's in the air at any time! One takes off or lands every 4.6 seconds!

This airplane that has carried more than 12 billion passengers over the years, has sold more than any other commercial airliner, and has made over 232 million flights, gets my vote for the best aircraft ever.

My vote was slightly rushed, i dont have lots of time lately, but its something to think about and research and put your point across.

Admin

[captainbill]

Now this is a good one admin, well done.

I think airliners like the DC-3 changed the way people would fly forever with it,s 2x2 or 2x1 seating.
Then came along the Stratocruiser that brought luxuary to the sky that only came back again with the 747.
The Lockheed L-104, L1049 range brought a special something to flying as did the DC-4, DC-6 and DC-7.
Along came the Britannia, the whispering giant of the skys and not long after came Comet the first jet.
It was the yanks who took over again with the 707 and DC-8 but we Brits came along with the VC-10 and one/eleven but until Airbus it was Boeing, McDonnel Douglas and Lockheed. The DC-10 was a wonderfull aircraft as was the Tri-Star but during this time it was the wonderfull 747 that everyone wanted to fly in or see.
Airbus have done a wonderfull job with there range of airliners but as you have said what about the little piggy as we used to call the 737, nine versions of it but what would a srs.100 have in common with a srs. 900 the name only.
The 757 is one of my top airliners as it has everything a pilot or passenger could want.
So after all this rabbit I need to give you my top two.

The Captain Bill award for the top Prop is THE BRISTOL BRITANNIA

The Captain Bill award for the top Jet is THE VICKERS/BAC VC-10

Every other airliner has been a variation on a theme but these two in my opinion are unique.

Thanks for this thread it is a good'un.

[sjr]

My personal aircraft choices for best ever are:

1) Concorde because it was the only successful supersonic passenger transport
2) Boeing 707 because it was the first real success of Jet Transport
3) Antonov 225 Mriya because it is the biggest jet that has flown. And before you say it because they are finishing the second aircraft there will be two and there is maybe even talk of a 3rd
3) Well the Boeing 747 had to be there. It has lasted as the queen of the skies up to now with the A380, yet they are still and will still be making them in ten or maybe even twenty years time.
4) Boeing 737 as was mentioned earlier. This is because it is the best selling aircraft of all time, do i need to say anymore.
5) Best of the prop liners i have to say this is a close tie between the DC-3 and the Constelation. Both were magnificant aircraft and i don't want to be forced to choose.

I think overall the 737 is the most successful airliner and this gives it the title it has earned as the best aircraft ever. The aircraft has had many different varients if you add the ER versions and BBJ's it has had 12 in my count. It has changed to suite the time and is still a big part of aviation today.

Of course these were all great aircraft as are all aircraft and i just had to mention these ones as well. B757, DC10, L.1011, E195, B777 (my personal fav) and A330

[admin]

I forgot about concorde. I really cant understand why one crash grounded this magnificent piece of machinery, I mean the airplanes people have mentioned, like the DC-10, 737, 747 etc have all had their problems but were still flown worldwide. I really wanted to fly on a concorde but looks like it will never happen.

Concorde gets my second vote

[captainbill]

I always liked Concord but from an industry point of view it was a flop as every other airline who were interested in it and yes even B.O.A.C. and Air France knew it was a money loss gas guzzeler that would never be a success.

Both Pan-Am and TWA were interested in the early days as were Air Canada, Qantas, Singapore, SAA, KLM, SAS and others but they all pulled away from buying Concord.

It was a tremendous piece of Anglo-French engineering but as an airliner beautifull to see and gracefull in the air it was a flop.

Now you could say the same for my two choices the Britannia and VC-10, not too many customers for either BUT both types made money for the airlines who used them.

I need to stop wearing two hats when I look at things but as an airline man and as a "plane spotter" I have two oppinions. Sorry.

[dutchboi]

i would have to say the MD-83, MD-11's and 747..... McDonnel-Douglas was brilliant MD-80's are one of the most sought after airplanes often of times.... MD-11's are like the MD-80's outdated but are still Magnificent aircrafts..... MD-11's are tri-stars and are really beautiful.... i see one pass my house everyday in KLM colours, they stopped flying the 747's because they were too big.
Although 747's are one of the best sold airplanes aswell. There are plenty of them hitting the skies aswell...

[planeshots]

My number one is Te comet

Reason: It was the first jet airliners and still serves today as the Niumrod and will by years to come as the new Nimrod MRA4 enters service

and oh
i'm back
HI