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As a fighter, definitely. When you compare it to other larger military aircraft, it doesn't seem very long at all. The B52 has been in active service since 19
by mrduncan 16y ago
As a fighter, definitely.
When you compare it to other larger military aircraft, it doesn't seem very long at all. The B52 has been in active service since 1955. The A-10 was introduced in 1977 and isn't expected to be replaced until nearly 2030.
- AttilaTheHun 16y agoAnd the Douglas DC-4 was introduced in the 1930s and there are still a few flying around!
- ctkrohn 16y agoI think you mean the DC-3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-3
- Maktab 16y agoThe DC-4 was also introduced in the 1930s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-4
- sliverstorm 16y agoIn active service in the armed forces, or private/commercial?
- bmm6o 16y agoAll private, I think. This one flies right over our office several times a week: http://archives.californiaaviation.org/ganews/msg09194.html http://archives.californiaaviation.org/ganews/msg09194.html .
- Maktab 16y agoMost are privately owned or with historical flights, but some do remain in military service. For instance, the Salvadoran Air Force operates 2 near-original C-47Ds and a few Basler BT-67s and the South African Air Force has 10 C-47TPs (converted to turboprop power with PT-6A engines) which are used in the maritime patrol, light transport and EW roles.
- evgen 16y agoThe KC-135 is also an old plane that is still in active service (started ops in 1957 and was based on the prototype aircraft that eventually became the Boeing 707..)
- kiujhyghjkl 16y agoThe B52 is intended to be in service until 2040 - long enough for the great-great-grandchildren of the original pilots to be flying it!
- gaius 16y agoSure do hope they find a way to extend that to 2055!
- waterlesscloud 16y agoAnd the C-130 since 1956, in pretty much continuous production the whole time as well. Grew up about 5 miles from the plant in Marietta Ga.
- gaius 16y agoThe Nimrod operated by the RAF is basically the Comet, world's first jet airliner in 1949.