In the Sports world, people love to discuss their list of the greatest players or teams to ever play the game. For Aviation enthusiasts, we love to compile a list of the greatest planes of all time. Some planes on our lists could change over time but the top-tier tends to stay the same. Each plane holds a special meaning for that person, it could be looks, fond memories of piloting that particular plane or flights taken during childhood. Here is my list of top 5 Airplanes of all time, please feel free to email me your list! I’d love to see what planes you enjoy as a fellow enthusiast. Email us your list!
Top 5
#5
The P-40 Warhawk Flying Tigers
When I was a child my very first airplane model was the P-40 Warhawk Flying Tigers. The “Shark Teeth” design stood out to me and quickly became my favorite design ever! To this day, if my wife would let me, I’d add “Shark Teeth” to my daily driver. It’s like the teeth made the plane come alive. Something I’ll never forget!
#4
The B-17 Flying Fortress
Another childhood favorite, around the same time I received my first airplane model a popular movie was out called “Memphis Belle”. As many of you already know, this film was a fictional version of the famous B-17 “Memphis Belle” and Captain Morgan’s crew who set to complete 25 missions. I fell in love with the plane and as I got older the love grew. I was at the Thunder Over Michigan B-17 Fly-In and several years ago during EAAs AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, I got the privilege of riding in a B-17.
#3
The F-22 Raptor
Wow!! That’s the only word I could say on that sunny day in Dayton, Ohio during the Dayton Air Show. Bud Anderson was being inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame that same weekend and the F-22 Raptor demo team headlined the air show. Fast, silent, and amazing. I’ve never seen a plane “dance” in the sky before, the F-22 not only danced in the sky that day but it could do things that even after watching the performance you questioned what you just saw.
#2
The SR-71 Blackbird
Never has there been a plane with so many secrets even decades after its first flight. With origins still questioned, the first flight was on December 22nd, 1964 but the plane looks like something from 2023. You talk about style and coolness, the SR-71 Blackbird is a legend within the aviation community. Even the pilots are considered super heroes by some. You read stories on how a pilot was chosen and then trained to fly the SR-71 just adds to the urban legend.
#1
The TWA Super Constellation “Super Connie”
Out of all the planes on my list, I’ve never actually seen a “Super Connie” in person. There are no movies or childhood models that I admired. There’s something about the design and the nostalgia that has stuck with me over time. The golden age of flight, a time period when not every plane resembled each other, a time when props powered the engine vs. high-powered jet engines. It’s almost like a “true love” feeling when I look at the “Super Connie”. A smile comes to my face that’s unlike any other aircraft. One day I’m going to visit the TWA Hotel at JFK in New York, I also can’t wait for the day I can touch or even walk inside a “Super Connie”. Until then I’ll admire from afar.