davparlr
Senior Master Sergeant
I am amazed at how long some aircraft have maintained operational usage as compared to the amount of time since the first powered flight occurred, 1903. I have compiled a list of aircraft that are still in active service of their prime user. This does not include secondary users who still may be keeping older planes because they cannot afford new ones. Nor does it include aircraft still listed in prime service that support base ops. Who knows, some bases may still fly T-33s! This list will be oldest first, some comment, and percentage of operational, introduction, time flown compared to the 1903 flight. As a general rule, all of these aircraft are incredible and need to be honored.
1 Of course number one is the B-52 Stratofortress
· First flight April 1952
· Introduction February 1955
· Percentage of time verses Wright Flyer (2018-introduction)/2018-1903(116)) 54%
Originally designed for the deep penetration mission during the cold war, the B-52 became obsolete in the 70s for this mission due to effective defense against non-stealth airborne threats. However, the B-52 continues to be effective in low to non-threat environment conventional war and as a standoff cruise missile launch platform. It has been operational over half the time flight has been viable.
2 Tu 95
· First Flight Nov 1952
· Introduction 1956
· 53%
The Russian Tu 95 was designed roughly the same time, with the same mission, as the B-52. I believe it uses the same fuselage as the Tu 4 (B-29). With four 14,800 hp turboprop engines and swept wings, it is the world's fastest turboprop plane. It is quite an impressive design. It is about half the size of the B-52, with half the lifting power. It is also slower with a lower ceiling. It is still used by Russia for reconnaissance and as a standoff cruise missile launch platform.
3 C-130 Hercules
· First Flight August 1954
· Introduction 1956
· 53%
The mighty Hercules. Not much to say about this plane. This flying truck has been indispensable in all wars fought since 1956. It is the only aircraft here that has been continually manufactured, a remarkable feat in aerospace. As far as I know, the only vehicle that has been manufactured in the same configuration for a longer period of time is the Jeep (maybe the Porsche 356/911, but those are different models).
4 KC-135
· First Flight August 1956
· Introduction June 1957
· 53%
Another reliable truck, tanker in this case, whose mission and performance has not changed significantly enough to require a replacement until recently.
5 U-2
· First Flight August 1955
· Introduction 1957
· 53%
This unique aircraft has a mission and performance stability such that there has been no need to replace it.
6 T-38 Talon
· First Flight March 1959
· Introduction March 1961
· 49%
The White Rocket, as it was once called. While I am old also, this is only one on the list that I have had the pleasure and honor to fly. While there have been several attempts to replace it, my feeling is, nobody really wants to do that, but, the airframes are wearing out. Over 60,000 pilots have trained in the T-38.
7 P-3 Orion
· First Flight November 1959
· Introduction August 1962
· 48%
A crucial cold war warrior flying out of places like the Azores and Iceland, the P-3, flying lazy circles in the sky, still probes the deep for Ivan's subs. It still soldiers on but is being replaced.
Others??
1 Of course number one is the B-52 Stratofortress
· First flight April 1952
· Introduction February 1955
· Percentage of time verses Wright Flyer (2018-introduction)/2018-1903(116)) 54%
Originally designed for the deep penetration mission during the cold war, the B-52 became obsolete in the 70s for this mission due to effective defense against non-stealth airborne threats. However, the B-52 continues to be effective in low to non-threat environment conventional war and as a standoff cruise missile launch platform. It has been operational over half the time flight has been viable.
2 Tu 95
· First Flight Nov 1952
· Introduction 1956
· 53%
The Russian Tu 95 was designed roughly the same time, with the same mission, as the B-52. I believe it uses the same fuselage as the Tu 4 (B-29). With four 14,800 hp turboprop engines and swept wings, it is the world's fastest turboprop plane. It is quite an impressive design. It is about half the size of the B-52, with half the lifting power. It is also slower with a lower ceiling. It is still used by Russia for reconnaissance and as a standoff cruise missile launch platform.
3 C-130 Hercules
· First Flight August 1954
· Introduction 1956
· 53%
The mighty Hercules. Not much to say about this plane. This flying truck has been indispensable in all wars fought since 1956. It is the only aircraft here that has been continually manufactured, a remarkable feat in aerospace. As far as I know, the only vehicle that has been manufactured in the same configuration for a longer period of time is the Jeep (maybe the Porsche 356/911, but those are different models).
4 KC-135
· First Flight August 1956
· Introduction June 1957
· 53%
Another reliable truck, tanker in this case, whose mission and performance has not changed significantly enough to require a replacement until recently.
5 U-2
· First Flight August 1955
· Introduction 1957
· 53%
This unique aircraft has a mission and performance stability such that there has been no need to replace it.
6 T-38 Talon
· First Flight March 1959
· Introduction March 1961
· 49%
The White Rocket, as it was once called. While I am old also, this is only one on the list that I have had the pleasure and honor to fly. While there have been several attempts to replace it, my feeling is, nobody really wants to do that, but, the airframes are wearing out. Over 60,000 pilots have trained in the T-38.
7 P-3 Orion
· First Flight November 1959
· Introduction August 1962
· 48%
A crucial cold war warrior flying out of places like the Azores and Iceland, the P-3, flying lazy circles in the sky, still probes the deep for Ivan's subs. It still soldiers on but is being replaced.
Others??