Greatest fighter plane?

[operative x]

What's the greatest all-around fighter? I vote P51D Mustang. It is the best looking, has a great kill ratio, and is relatively inexpensive and easy to produce. It is an incredibly effective dogfighting machine.

 

[bbson john]

I think of Jet fighter. :/

 

[Llama]

Eurofighter Typhoon, or F-22 (but for different purposes)

None of that World War 2 crap :\

Especially when the Spitfire was far better than the mustang

 

[Darkside55]

The C-M 11808 Cloverfield Monster.

 

[operative x]

new poll

 

[operative x]

Don't Forget the fokker D; that things got some serious balls.

 

[Geogaddi]

Fokker has the best name.

 

[Darkside55]

Fokker was the pilot, not the plane. The plane was the VF-0.

(If anyone gets that, good for you! You get an e-pat on the back)

 

[AJ Rimmer]

Close call between the Mustang and the Spitfire but ultimately the Spitfire is sexier and more iconic than the Mustang so it wins.

 

[Markdude]

Oh man, I'm an aviation buff, don't even get me started here!

When I read the title of the topic, I assumed you meant "fighter plane" as a generic term for any military jet aircraft. Like a child exclaming, "look at that fighter jet!", but when I saw that your list consisted of actual fighter-role planes, I was a bit relieved and it looks like I won't have to rant!

However, I wouldn't have even included the F-22 in the poll because it's brand spankin' new and hasn't been in any combat situations yet. Yes, it did exceptionally well at Red Flag (as expected) and the technology is superb, but a great fighter is the product of real-world experience and not potential. As far as NATO conflicts go, air-to-air combat is an extreme rarity these days. Of course, it is always important to train pilots for the worst in case it does rear its ugly head, but because of this I don't think the F-22 is going to get to see much air-to-air action and really use its potential.

It's kind of unfair to group planes from multiple eras together, but if I really have to choose, I'd say that the F-15C is hands-down the most efficient and effective fighter that NATO has ever put into combat. Although its technology is slowly becoming dated as we enter the fifth-generation of fighters, it has proved itself time and time again in any conflict that's been thrown at it. It is graced with great maneuverability, a very effective radar, and a completely amazing kill ratio (104-0). Oh, and how could I forget its gutkicking P&W F-100 engines? You'd be hard-pressed to find any aircraft with a thrust-to-weight ratio as great as the F-15's. With an airframe this effective, it's no surprise that the F-15E (its ground-attack variant) is also regarded as one of the most effective lightweight bombers.

I'm surprised you didn't include the F-16 in the poll. Another one of my favorite aircraft, although its still unmatched to the F-15. It's definitely one of the most maneuverable fighters in the world, but I'd have my money on an F-15C still winning a dogfight because of its thrust-to-weight ratio allowing it to better stay at corner-speed during a tight turn circle. The F-16 is still another worthy candidate as a great multirole fighter.

The F-14 also gets major props for its amazing radar and ability to employ the AIM-54 Phoenix long-range missile. Similar to the F-15 in the fact that its high-powered engines grant it an exceptional thrust-to-weight ratio and high maneuverability (even though the F-14 is so huge). The ability to adjust the swept-wings is also very cool, allowing it both more lift in slower-speed dogfights with the wings unswept and the ability to accelerate rapidly with the wings swept. It's a shame that it is no longer in service due to high maintenance costs.

All very great planes as far as I'm concerned, but I think the F-15C is the winner in the fighter domain. Wow, that got long pretty fast. Sorry about that.

 

[Krynn72]

I dont know why, but the Mustang has always been my favorite. Dont know jack about it, but I have always loved it.

 

[MiccyNarc]

However, I wouldn't have even included the F-22 in the poll because it's brand spankin' new and hasn't been in any combat situations yet.

Yes it has, didn't you see transformers?
But anyway...
Combat experience aside, I think the greatest fighter would be the one that can kick all the other fighter's collective asses, in which case the F-22 wins hands down.

 

[CyberPitz]

I picked the fokker tripod thing...

Now I guess I'll go read up on whatever it is.

 

[Vass]

After careful Wikipedia analysis, I choose the F-22 Raptor. Damn sexy flying machine.

 

[CptStern]

what fighter plane has killed the most amount of people? by definition that would be the greatest fighter plane of all time ..or at least the one that was most capable of doing what it was designed to do

I'm partial to the old ww2 planes but never had enough of an interest to remember their names ...the ones in baa baa black sheep are kinda cool looking if you ignore what it was designed to do

 

[nokori3byo]

Me, I'm a Hawker Typhoon man. Sure, noone would say it was the best fighter ever, but it had character and pugnacity to burn.

 

[hungryduck]

what about the:
F/A-18 Hornet
Mig-29
SU-34
A-4 (the israelis have destroyed entire arabian air forces with these little things)

Why did you put the Mig 1.42 in there???
The russians can't even afford to put a single one into service!
this poll makes no sense.
You can't compare things that haven't flown to ones that have seen combat for decades.

 

[leib10]

The F-22 far surpasses anything out there in terms of sheer capability and advantages over its likely opponents, moreso than any plane in history. So therefore, it is the best fighter.

Now, if you were going for the most easily acquired and supported fighter, no way.

 

[operative x]

supposedly the Mig-1.42 is going to be the raptor killer.

 

[MiccyNarc]

supposedly the Mig-1.42 is going to be the raptor killer.

But considering there's only one or two in existance right now, as far as we know, there's not much chance it's going to be doing any raptor killing.

I mean Christ if we're voting for theoretical jets right now let's add alien saucers to the list.

 

[15357]

You know what? **** the air force. They kill everything, little winged metal messengers of death they are.

 

[leib10]

But considering there's only one or two in existance right now, as far as we know, there's not much chance it's going to be doing any raptor killing.

I mean Christ if we're voting for theoretical jets right now let's add alien saucers to the list.

If you look at history, most of the rumors of Soviet/Russian supremacy in weaponry have come to naught.

Isn't to say that's the case in this instance, but I'm not holding my breath on the new MiG.

what fighter plane has killed the most amount of people? by definition that would be the greatest fighter plane of all time ..or at least the one that was most capable of doing what it was designed to do

I'm partial to the old ww2 planes but never had enough of an interest to remember their names ...the ones in baa baa black sheep are kinda cool looking if you ignore what it was designed to do

If you're going that route, the plane that shot down the most enemy planes, probably you're going to find that the Messerschmitt Bf-109 is a definite contender. Here is Erich Hartmann's "Karaya One":

 

[Uriel]

Lol, nubs

 

[Dog--]

I've always loved the Spitfire, but the MiG 21 is close second, for sure. After that is the F4 Phantom.

 

[MiccyNarc]

I've always loved the Spitfire, but the MiG 21 is close second, for sure. After that is the F4 Phantom.

The Phantom was an OK fighter but very far from being one of the greatest of all time.

 

[leib10]

The MiG-21 was a great plane because of its long and extensive service, and its ability to be kept "modern" by upgrading it, although this was probably not a good idea as there were plenty of designs that far eclipsed anything that could be done to the MiG-21's basic airframe.

 

[The Monkey]

Other: JAS 39 Gripen

 

[Markdude]

Sorry guys, but an award so respecting as "greatest fighter plane" just cannot go to an aircraft that has not even had a chance to prove itself yet. It is not a measure of potential, as I said. While I don't doubt that the F-22 has the ability to kick some major ass, pretty much every single plane ever developed was done so with its creators believing it is the next big thing. We are beginning the fifth-generation of fighters and although I do believe that NATO will always have a technological advantage, it's obvious that foreign aircraft will be evolving as well (although it's still pretty unlikely that these aircraft will actually have a chance to enter combat). There have been many aircraft whose designers believe will have no problems performing their role as they exit the development stage, only to enter combat and realize something had been drastically overlooked, or the technology wasn't as well-suited to its role as thought.

I don't really think the F-22 will fall victim to that, but you never know. I think the real issue with the F-22 is that its been developed for a mission that is outdated in these times. I have no doubt that it can kick some ass, but "greatest fighter plane" is a historical award, not a hypothetical one.

 

[Bob_Marley]

If you're going that route, the plane that shot down the most enemy planes, probably you're going to find that the Messerschmitt Bf-109 is a definite contender. Here is Erich Hartmann's "Karaya One"

You also have to take into account that the Bf-109 is also the most produced fighter of all time.

Also, due to allied air superiority in the latter part of the war, the Bf-109s had a much higher contact ratio than the allied equivelents. When they flew they were almost guarenteed to get into a fight, where as the allied planes were not, which is why the German aces were so high scoring.

Anyway, back to the debate at hand. Of those fighters (and probubly, of any fighters) the F-15 Eagle has the best combat record.

As for "greatest" I lean toward the Dassault Mirage III, as despite first entering service in the 1960s variants and derivatives (and in some smaller nations, the originals) of it continue to serve to this day and even the original carved out an exelent reputation for its self in the hands of the IAF along with other notable conflicts, such as the South African Border War and the Indo-Pakistani wars.

Oh, and the F/A-22 breaks when it crosses date lines, so that puts that out of the running

 

[leib10]

You also have to take into account that the Bf-109 is also the most produced fighter of all time.

Also, due to allied air superiority in the latter part of the war, the Bf-109s had a much higher contact ratio than the allied equivelents. When they flew they were almost guarenteed to get into a fight, where as the allied planes were not, which is why the German aces were so high scoring.

Exactly right.

There's a definite reason for the enormous scores amassed by the German fighter pilots the likes of Erich Hartmann, Gerhard Barkhorn, Gunther Rall, etc. The reason is: target-rich environment. That and the fact that due to their incessant contact with the enemy (Hartmann flew 1400 combat missions, and engaged in combat in over 800 of them) these men were probably the most experienced fighter pilots of all time.

However, the odds were greatly stacked against them, and many of them fell victim to the ever-growing masses of Allied fighters.

 

[Krynn72]

Quantities > Quality!

 

[Evo]

Always been partial to Messerschmits

 

[leib10]

Me too. The Gustav was the most highly produced, and although it suffered in comparison to the Mustang and Spitfire, the K-4 could give either of them a run for their money.

 

[ríomhaire]

Nuclear MiGs. FOR CHINA!

 

[<RJMC>]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-49_Night_Raven

 

[Vigilante]

I really like a lot of the older WW2 era fighers. In fact, prop planes interest me a lot more than jet fighters simply becuase they are much more mechanical (I'm an engnineering student, this shit interests me). It's a tie between the P51 Mustang, Spitfire, and the P38 Lightning. I voted for the mustang, though.

 

[leib10]

If it had to be between WWII planes, I'd have to go with the Focke-Wulf Fw190D or the Ta-152.

 

[Bob_Marley]

Nah, Spitfire Mk.IX all the way.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Greatest (that does not, automatically, mean best) figher aircraft of all time.

My vote still lies with the Mirage III.

 

[Anthraxxx]

Fokker was the pilot, not the plane. The plane was the VF-0.

(If anyone gets that, good for you! You get an e-pat on the back)

What is the secret of PROTOCULTURE?!?!?!?!?!


Edit: Robotech reference.

 

[Kula Meenur]

F-15 / F-18 Multirole fighters