Charles, Troy, Richard, thanks one and all for your input. As usual after a glass of red (or two) my mind wanders off into areas that inevitable lead to more work for me. In this instance it is trying to convince me to set up a spreadsheet to tally up the "votes" for want of a better term, and see which aircraft capture the most affection. From reading through the thread a couple of times I get the firm impression that the F4 Phantom seems to have a clear lead.
Maybe over a coffee in a quiet moment at work in the next day or two . . . .

Cheers, D

P.S. Please keep the input flowing.

I'll give it a go with my top 5.

1. The B-17F: One of the true exemplars of American bravery in the air. I learned about the Fort as a kid growing up in a USAF family. What US airmen did in it over Europe against the odds inspired a book and the current build in me.

2. The KB-50J.


These are the aircraft my father flew in the early 1960s. I have extraordinary memories of seeing them aloft days on end when I lived on Base Housing at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana during that time. With four turning and two burning they were magnificent anachronisms that were incredible to watch, especially when they peeled off in almost 90 degree banks to come into the landing pattern one after the other. Not to be forgotten, ever.

3. The P-47. When I lived in Long Island my father was friends with a military test pilot who flew F-105s out of Republic aviation. Through that association I got an autographed copy of Robert S. Johnson's book "Thunderbolt." As a boy I devoured it and the 47 became my sentimental favorite successful US fighter of the war.

4. The Brewster Buffalo. There is a romance to losers and lost causes, and Martin Caidin's "The Ragged, Rugged Warriors" kindled it in me for this star-crossed airframe. When one thinks of the Aussies, the Brits and Kiwis, and the Dutch who flew them against the Japanese in 1941-42 it's hard not to feel admiration for men fighting against overwhelming odds. The same, of course, for the Marines at Midway. The remarkable successes of the Finns against the Russians in the A/C also raise "why" questions that are the source of endless idle speculations! I count myself as wonderfully fortunate to have actually had an opportunity to examine and touch BW-372 when it was temporarily in storage in Pensacola, FL at the Naval Aviation museum.



It doesn't get much better than that for a WWII airplane nut.

4. The Douglas Devastator. Midway says it all. To me the aircraft shows that Americans of that era didn't win wars just by overwhelming material superiority. The examples of bravery and self sacrifice shown by the torpedo pilots on June 4, 1942 make the aircraft well worth remembering. I count myself lucky to have met George Gay of Torpedo 8 once and to have gotten an autographed copy of his book, "Sole Survivor."

5. The Douglas Dauntless. Again, Midway, June 1942. What's not to like about the obsolescent dive bomber that was instrumental in achieving one of the most famous naval victories in modern history?

That is great stuff Brian, some great images and amazing memories. I get insanely jealous of you guys that have had such close experiences with these machines and the folks who flew them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Cheers, D

I only have three favorites.
My father retired from the U.S. Air Force after 27 years. My first memories were of the mighty F-4E Phantom II, one favorite.
Second is the awesome FW-190 due to the fact that my grandfather (on my mother's side) flew it during WWII.
The third is the awesome and almost indestructible C-130 Hercules, because I was a paratrooper for 13 years and my first jump was from that awesome bird!!
Sorry for the short list! LOL
Cheers

Thanks Damian, I guess I have been lucky in this.

One A/C I omitted is the Spad XIII. The story here is that, again as a USAF kid then living on Long Island, NY in the 1950s, I saw one of the old CBS "Air Power" series shows that featured Eddie Rickenbacker. I was amazed he was still alive and told my Dad so. He said, "Well, why don't you write him? He's the Chairman of Eastern Airlines right in New York City." I did and, amazingly, got a wonderful letter in response with an autographed copy of Captain Eddie's "Fighting the Flying Circus."

Needless to say, this went hand in glove with purchases of the old Aurora WWI 1/4" kits that were my favorite builds (at .49 to .79 cents way back then).

When I think back on it, I suppose my first models were built in 1955-56. Dare I admit that I've been into plastic model airplanes in 1/48 scale for sixty years!

Tempus fugit.

I always loved the look of a sleek looking prop fighter, but there are also a few jets that would make my list.

1. Macchi C.202/205
2. Fiat G.55
3. Bell P-39 Airacobra
4. McDonnell Douglass - F-15 Eagle
5. F2H Banshee

There are other I truly like, but this list states 5, so this will have to do for now. My list could easily change on a day to day basis.

Macchi C.205


Fiat G.55


Bell P-39 Airacobra


F-15 Eagle


The Banshee

Thanks for your input Kevin, definitely a theme there with the WWII fighters! The Italian designs are certainly very elegant. I think you might be the first to throw the Banshee into the mix as well.

It looks like the Macchi parked behind the Fiat in your images, do you know where they were taken? It would certainly have been a great sight to see.

Cheers, D

Unfortunately I do not know what airshow those pics are from. Yes, there is a Macchi behind that Fiat, both are sleek looking prop fighters for sure.

Christmas is nigh and I reflect on the year passed (over a glass of 2014 Shiraz Malbec, or maybe 2), it's been just over 12 months since I started this thread so it is only fitting that I revive it!

Lets roll with your top 5 favourites but expand the selection. 5 props, 5 jets.

I'm sure there have been a few who have posted here who have changed their preferences over the journey, please feel free to post up again.

As stated from the start, no right or wrong, no arguments, just what and why.

I will start with my No.1 all-time no contest fave:


My Top 5 jets, in no particular order:
Mirage, Phantom, F-111, Me 262, SR-71

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all of my Kitmaker friends. I hope you all have a happy and safe time and a great start to 2017.

Cheers, D

Merry Christmas to you as well D.

Ok 5 props in no particular order:
Hurricane
Beaufighter
Ju-88
Fw-190
Mc.205

5 jets again in no particular order:
Hunter
Jaguar
F-14 Tomcat
Su-27/30/33/34/35/47 family
RA-5C

Given the chance to reshuffle my favorites I'll say -
Piston group:
1. Waco YMF - has to be in red and black
2. Nakajima Ki 43 Hayabusa
3. Mitsubishi Zero
4. Supermarine Spitfire
5. Corsairaboltlightningstang.

Blowtorch group:
1. F 86 Sabre
2. Mig 17
3. F 16
4. A 6
5. F 14 - 15 - 18

Cheers - Richard

I have a few early, a few late and some in between, specifically:

My all time favorite is the Grumman TBF 1C Avenger because my Dad was assigned to Torpedo 9 during WWII. Here's the rest:
1. Sopwith Camel
2. Nieuport 17
3. Spad XVIII
5. Fokker DR1
6. Albatros D III-Va
7. Fokker D VII
8. Boeing F4B & P12 Series
9. Boeing P26
10. Curtis P6
11. Curtiss P81-P40B
12. Boeing B17F
13. Mitsubishi A6M 2-5
14. Nakajima KI 43 II-III
15. ME 109 E & F
16. Spitfire Mk I & Mk XIV
17. FW 109 D
18. P-51D
19. ME 262B NF
20. ME 163
21. Bell X1
22. F104C & NF104
23. X15
24. Mercury Redstone
25. Mercury Atlas
26. Gemini Titan
27. Apollo

You might notice a theme for historic aviation, in keeping with that theme, here are a few other "Honorable Mentions:
Avro Lancaster B Mk III, Breuget XIV (just because it's ugly), P-38L, F6F Hellcat, F4U1D, Salmson 2A2, Roland C II (just because it looks slinky for its time), RE8, A4/V2, and any flying boat or seaplane that lands on water (on purpose that is).

VR, Russ

Not in any particular order:

Prop aircraft:
1. Spitfire, any mark
2. P-47
3. Me109
4. Fw190
5. Ki-43 Hayabusa

1. MiG-19
2. Tornado
3. Jaguar
4. F-4
5. F-18

And I know there isn't a civilian class, but:
1. Dragon Rapide
2. DHC Beaver
3. DH Comet
4. Fleet Canuck
5. Waco SRE

Hey D !

My all time favorite aircraft are as following ...

P-51B/D Mustang ,
She is one sleek looking aircraft . My first aircraft kit I built was Monograms snap fit Mustang in 48 scale . You had to peel the stickers off and place them on the model. Favorite schemes are the Blue Nose Bastards . It's like blue a silver are just meet for each other . 12 are in the stash

Pfalz D.III/a ,
It looks like a shark ! Nuff said ...( World's sexiest aircraft ) 8 in the stash

Fw-190
She was built to be a butcher and that she was . With all the different varieties one could have subjects for life. 7 are in the stash .

SSW D.III
One has to amit the it has a very sinister look with that huge four blade prop . Fuselage looks like a barrel , but she is sinster .6 are in the stash

Bf-109
It has nice lines to the fuselage . 4 are in the stash

F4u-1 ,
Best looking naval fighter and just love blue ! 4 are in the stash



Terri

Great input guys, but don't be shy about posting photos as well!

Luciano, great variety there, the Italian WWII props have been consistently put forward, as has the F-14.

Richard, thanks for chiming in. The Waco YMF is a new type for me, what a sleek looking design!

Russ, it looks to me like you've been building that list for quite a while, some very specific types and a great variety. Thanks for your input.

Dave, civilian class is more than welcome here, it's all about what you like and why. Thanks for joining in. Another WACO type, they made some really nice biplanes, lovely lines.

Terri, great to see you posting here, and really good to see you at the bench again. I would argue with you about the world's sexiest aircraft (P-61 wins hands down), but I've already said no arguing allowed. We will just have to agree that I am right, case dismissed I really need to learn more about the WWI and Golden Years designs, that SSW D.III is another unfamiliar one to me.

This is why I started this thread, such diverse tastes and areas of interest, I love it!

Cheers, D

P.S. For you Terri . . . . .

Damian,
Now 5 and 5 is more like it, But I just had to add a 3 rd category.

Props Fighters:
1-Grumman F4F-3/4 Wildcat
2-Grumman F6F-3/5 Hellcat
3-Lockheed P-38J/L Lightning
4-Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback/Bubbletop
5-Chance Vought F4U-1/1A Corsair

Attack, Bomber,other:
1-Grumman TBF-1/1C Avenger
2-Douglas SBD-3/4/5 Dauntless
3-Boeing B-17F/G Flying Fortress
4-North American B-25B Mitchell bomber
4-Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Jets:
1-Grumman F9F Panther/Cougar
2-Grumman A-6 Intruder
3-Grumman F-14 Tomcat
4-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
5-McDonnell Douglas F-4B/C/J Phantom II

Joel

OK, if we split it up even more then:
Prop fighter
1-Hawker Hurricane
2-Focke Wulf Fw-190
3-Macchi Mc.205
4-FIAT G.55
5-Lavochkin La.5

Attack, bomber
1-Bristol Beaufighter
2-Junkers Ju-88
3-North American B-25 Mitchell
4-Bristol Beaufort
5-Piaggio P-108

Jet
1-Hawker Hunter
2-Sepecat Jaguar
3-Grumman F-14 Tomcat
4-Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker family
5-North American RA-5C Vigilante

Civil
1-Piaggio P-180 Avanti
2-Vickers VC-10
3-Bristol Britannia
4-BAC-111
5-Tupolev Tu-134

D - If it's pics you desire then cover your eyes because this is airplane porn-

The object of my lust -



Not only the most beautiful aircraft ever but one of mankind's most beautiful creations as well IMHO.

Cheers ! Richard

See , their you guys go again on this being right thing ...
every one knows that the woman is always right and never argue with one .

D , so you don't feel so bad , I do have a window in the stash in 48 scale




Terri

I’m not usually a “wingy-thingy” guy, but I couldn't resist joining in!

Gotta' land with my baker’s dozen. No particular order.

1. Douglas C-47 Dakota Transport ... I get chills when I think of Para’s jumping out of this perfectly good airplane during D-Day!
2. Douglas A-1 Skyraider ... Call in air support!
3. Marine Corps Corsair ... Pacific Ace, Pappy Boyington!
4. PBY Catalina ... Love anything that combines flying and boat or sea and plane!
5. Focke-Wulf Fw 109 ... Something about that landing-gear stance and those fat prop blades!
6. Junkers JU 87 Stuka ... I never tire of their transition from stalking to nose-dive with screaming death sirens — but then again, I'm not below them!
7. Fieseler Fi 156 Storch ... My favorite short take-off/landing recon plane! "Sì, vieni salvarmi ... fretta per favore!" —Mussolini
8. Junkers JU 52 Transport ... Gotta’ love that corduroy outer-skin and tri-prop configuration!
9. Heinkel He 111 Bomber ... Twins and lots of glass!
10. Messerschmitt Bf-110 Nachtjäger ... Fat twins, and radar array!
11. Dornier Do 355 Pfeil ... Big push, big pull!
12. Airspeed Horsa Glider ... The chilling feeling of tow-cable disconnect and helplessly gliding through German Flak!
13. Avro Lancaster Bomber ... Bubbles, bays, and big bombs!

“If you want to be a bird!”... 🐣

I can safely say I have no particular favourite, I love 'em all.

I can see a great story, and therefore a great build, in pretty much any aircraft.

We have all pondered the philosophical question, "If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there, does it still make a noise?"
Well now, if a man says something in the forest, and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?

Cheers, D

I'm really into flying boats although i havn't built that many, especially the total flop that was the Saro Lerwick. i dont like to build too much mainstream stuff and even if i do i like to find a different colour scheme, so very rarely use kit decals.

my first flight was in a DH Rapide from Biggin Hill(no i'm not that old!) but i do have a soft spot for the golden age of flying, infact anything between 1914 and 1980.

If i was forced to name my favorite aircraft it would have to be the Mosquito.

paul

Yes and Yes . ( Ja und Ja )


Terri

Lately I have been turning a likely to water born aircraft . At first it started with WW 1 aircraft and it has now expanded into WW 2 . There are a lot of neat subjects



Terri