Most iconic U.S. military weapon

[Thorlifter]

What do you think is the most iconic military weapon in the U.S. arsenal? The top three that come to my mind are:

B-17 Flying Fortress
Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey)
F-4 Phantom

I know arguments can be made for many others like the P-51, F-86, F-14/15/16. What do you think?

 

[meatloaf109]

The Sherman tank

 

[Thorlifter]

The only problem I see with the Sherman is so many other tanks are visually mistaken to be Sherman. When you see a B-17 or Huey, IMO you know exactly what it is.

 

[Njaco]

Colt .45

 

[pinsog]

B52 without a doubt

 

[drgondog]

WWII - The M-1 Garand...and the Jeep- after a great fall below that, maybe:

Browning M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun, AVG P-40, B-17, P-51, C-47

Korea - F-86, Skyraider and the M-1 Garand

Vietnam- the Bell UH-1 Huey and the M-16, then maybe
Skyraider and the F-105D

Today - the M1A Abrams and the A-10

Tomorrow? - Zombie repellant and then bags of feathers, tar bucket and brush and maybe hemp rope for hanging crooked politicians and media talking heads.

 

[altsym]

 

[The Basket]

Jeep for sure

Iconic shape. American know how at its best.

Wins on all levels.

 

[Thorlifter]

WWII - The M-1 Garand...and the Jeep- after a great fall below that, maybe:

Browning M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun, AVG P-40, B-17, P-51, C-47

Korea - F-86, Skyraider and the M-1 Garand

Vietnam- the Bell UH-1 Huey and the M-16, then maybe
Skyraider and the F-105D

Today - the M1A Abrams and the A-10

I said MOST ICONIC, not ALL ICONIC. All great nominations though!

Most will have different opinions but I'm going with the B-17. I also like the nomination of the Jeep.

 

[wuzak]

The A-bomb.

 

[bobbysocks]

browning 50 cal, thompson machine gun, jeep, american helmet, and the b17

 

[meatloaf109]

The only problem I see with the Sherman is so many other tanks are visually mistaken to be Sherman. When you see a B-17 or Huey, IMO you know exactly what it is.

I dunno, tall triangular hull with a cheese box turret. Kind of singular in my mind. But, to each his own.
Although, now that I think on it, the jeep is a pretty good one.

 

[vikingBerserker]

If it's of all time, then either the Minute Man or the B-52.

 

[davebender]

In service for 80 years and still a favorite of the American armed forces.

 

[Aozora]

The Marines

I know, not the original flag rising...

 

[GrauGeist]

Easy...the steel pot helmet...

Not nessecarily a weapon (has been used, though) but was a mainstay of U.S. forces for over 40 years

 

[tomo pauk]

Back in 20th century, people here were calling all American soldiers 'marines'. Guess they really qualify.

 

[fastmongrel]

Detroit.

The military is no good if it only has sharpened sticks.

 

[A4K]

WW II: Willys jeep
Post war: UH-1 Iroquois

 

[evangilder]

Tough call, but the P-51 Mustang is probably one of the most iconic of WWII, but the P-40 is also noteworthy, especially with the shark mouth.

For me though, I would have to say the C-130, today's equivalent of the C-47. They were first delivered in December of 1956, and are STILL flying for militaries all over the world.