What would you choose to have a flight in, and why?
Discussion
Fast Jet:
Why? It's British and even today would hold its own in bonkers low-level acceleration and vertical performance. Level acceleration to M1 followed by a vertical pull to the stratosphere with a roll-off-the-top. Preferably around sunset. Back on the ground 10 mins later with minimum landing fuel in time for tea and medals. I was lucky enough to spend a week at Binbrook with the Space Cadets in the last year of the Lightning. There was an F100 Super Sabre operating from there to boot, which flew most days doing semi-secret-squirrel trials. Proper fast-jet heaven... I still remember the 'BOOM' of the F100's reheat hard-lighting.
Warbird:
Why? The D-model is my favourite aeroplane. I've sat in one, complete with original armoured windscreen, gunsight and genuine kill-markings on the side. I currently display a vintage taildragger aeroplane, but would kill to fly one with 10x the power! A mate-of-a-mate has a two-stick TF-51 in California available on very generous rates. I'm still saving.....
Why? It's British and even today would hold its own in bonkers low-level acceleration and vertical performance. Level acceleration to M1 followed by a vertical pull to the stratosphere with a roll-off-the-top. Preferably around sunset. Back on the ground 10 mins later with minimum landing fuel in time for tea and medals. I was lucky enough to spend a week at Binbrook with the Space Cadets in the last year of the Lightning. There was an F100 Super Sabre operating from there to boot, which flew most days doing semi-secret-squirrel trials. Proper fast-jet heaven... I still remember the 'BOOM' of the F100's reheat hard-lighting.
Warbird:
Why? The D-model is my favourite aeroplane. I've sat in one, complete with original armoured windscreen, gunsight and genuine kill-markings on the side. I currently display a vintage taildragger aeroplane, but would kill to fly one with 10x the power! A mate-of-a-mate has a two-stick TF-51 in California available on very generous rates. I'm still saving.....
Have to make a split between jets and props, so got to be the Lightning T.5 as well, but, given it's unlikely one of those will ever fly again, I'd settle for the Vulcan, or a Starfighter 
However, on the prop front, with Jerry Yagan's FB.26 Mosquito about to take to the skies very shortly for it's post restoration first flight, that would be No.1 choice easily.
I've been lucky enough to have already had several flights in a DC-3, as well as a flight in a B-25 Mitchell and a B-17G Flying Fortress
However, on the prop front, with Jerry Yagan's FB.26 Mosquito about to take to the skies very shortly for it's post restoration first flight, that would be No.1 choice easily.
I've been lucky enough to have already had several flights in a DC-3, as well as a flight in a B-25 Mitchell and a B-17G Flying Fortress
s off, Biggles...
aeropilot said:
Have to make a split between jets and props, so got to be the Lightning T.5 as well, but, given it's unlikely one of those will ever fly again, I'd settle for the Vulcan, or a Starfighter
However, on the prop front, with Jerry Yagan's FB.26 Mosquito about to take to the skies very shortly for it's post restoration first flight, that would be No.1 choice easily.
I've been lucky enough to have already had several flights in a DC-3, as well as a flight in a B-25 Mitchell and a B-17G Flying Fortress
Have the South Africans completely ceased flying them? If I ever had the cash spare, I was going to take a holiday over there and pay for a flight. As for prop stuff, although I don't think any exist now, it would have to be a DH Hornet.However, on the prop front, with Jerry Yagan's FB.26 Mosquito about to take to the skies very shortly for it's post restoration first flight, that would be No.1 choice easily.
I've been lucky enough to have already had several flights in a DC-3, as well as a flight in a B-25 Mitchell and a B-17G Flying Fortress
pacman1 said:
Have the South Africans completely ceased flying them? If I ever had the cash spare, I was going to take a holiday over there and pay for a flight.
Given the damning crash report on the loss of the Thunder City T.5 that's just been published, you'd have to be off your head to want to do that, but, yes, the SACAA stopped TC flying PAX flights soon after the T.5 crashed in 2009.TC were allowed to continue with aircrew currency flights for a while afterwards, but, I believe that didn't continue for that long afterwards. The whole fleet was put up for sale a year or so ago, but I think all remain unsold???
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