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Thread: Plane&Pilot 10 perfect planes...

  1. #1
    David Pavlich's Avatar
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    Plane&Pilot 10 perfect planes...

    I thought that this would make a fun study in what you guys think about P&P's choices in category. If you don't get P&P, here's the list:

    Perfect WWII Fighter: P51 Mustang
    Perfect Aerobatic for fun aircraft: Extra 300LT
    Perfect $100 Hamburger Hunter: Flight Design CTLS
    Perfect Out Island Commuter: Cessna Skylane
    Perfect Family Transport: A36/G36 Beech
    Perfect High Speed Transport: TBM850
    Perfect Compromise of Speed and Efficiency: Mooney 201
    Perfect Four/Five Seat Cross Country Transport: Cirrus SR22
    Perfect Off Airport Bushbird: Aviat Husky A1C
    Perfect Heavy-Hauler: Cessna Caravan

    David

  2. #2

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    Why not the Spitfire?

  3. #3

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    Yes for Spitfire as best fighter,as a pure dogfighter/interceptor. But only if the mission is short range. Spit climbs and turns better, better handlling at high g stalls, even higher mach/crit number. later models had better guns with 20 mm cannons, and late models were even slightly faster than a 51 D.
    Photo recon versions were long range, but fighters were not.
    If you need long range offensive escort fighter, Mustang is without peer. Spit is Much cooler in cockpit in low level hot weather, 51 has better heater for cold high altitude flight.
    And of course, Mustang is a good looking plane, but Spit is the best in that category.

    Spit flew and fought the whole war, 51 only really effective the last half, after they put a Spitfire engine in it to replace the Allison.

    Mustang was the great late war escort fighter in the Pacific, that Spit did not do.

    For ground attack it was the P-47.
    Last edited by Bill Greenwood; 04-14-2013 at 07:39 AM.

  4. #4

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    Best hauler? DC-3 or DH Beaver. Can do the job, looks better, sounds better and doesn't smell like diesel. Real airplanes don't have plastic in them.

    I haven't flown a CTLS, but the Gobosh is better looking.

    A Mooney 201 is a fine plane, 155k at 9 gal per hour for 7 hours, and a good engine.
    Strong and easy to fly. I had one for 10 years and sold it to get a little more back seat room and newer avionics in my Beech Be 36 TC which is a very good family plane for short or long trips, but requires more engine care.
    Just looks and flies better than a Cessna or Piper SUV type for me.

    Kids are less likely to get sick if you fly in smooth weather.
    Last edited by Bill Greenwood; 04-14-2013 at 10:49 AM.

  5. #5
    Mayhemxpc's Avatar
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    I think that there will be lots of people (especially British) who think that the Spitfire was the best for WW2. A lot of that depends on how you define "best."

    I find it hard to think of "best", "family", and "Beechcraft" as appropriate in the same sentence. Cessna 206. Piper Cherokee 6 or Lance/Saratoga. Same or more room. A little slower. Much more economical. A plus for the Cessna is that kids are less likely to get sick on you when they can see the ground.
    Last edited by Mayhemxpc; 04-14-2013 at 07:16 AM.

  6. #6

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    Who says Spit is the best fighter?
    Johnnie Johnson , top scoring Allied fighter pilot in Europe, with 38 confirmed.
    "A well flown Mk IX is equal or better than anything else."

  7. #7

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    Who says the LA-7 was the best fighter of the war?

    Ivan Kozhedub, highest scoring Allied Ace of WWII (62 Axis and 2 Allied kills).

    The opinions and statements of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

  8. #8
    Mayhemxpc's Avatar
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    Using that argument, the Bf-109 would be the best WW2 fighter (Eric Hartmann, 352 victories, including seven P-51's). There is broad agreement, however, even by the Luftwaffe's "experten," that the 109 was not the best fighter.

  9. #9
    Green Goggles's Avatar
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    I saw that article in the magazine and thought it was interesting. But where is the Piper Cub?

    How can any list of great aircraft be complete without a yellow Cub??

  10. #10
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    Perfect Four/Five Seat Cross Country Transport: Cirrus SR22
    That one definitely would not have made my list of "perfect" airplanes. Other than that, I agree with many of the choices.
    Unfortunately in science what you believe is irrelevant.

    "I'm an old-fashioned Southern Gentleman. Which means I can be a cast-iron son-of-a-***** when I want to be."- Robert A. Heinlein.



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