The "Big Five" of Aviation?
#16
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So judging by these posts, most of the big five is extinct.....
I guess those of us who weren't of age in the ancient times (20th century) will just have to make our own list....
I guess those of us who weren't of age in the ancient times (20th century) will just have to make our own list....
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The five most influential aircraft in commercial aviation history:
Ford Tri-Motor
Douglas DC-3
Lockheed Constellation
Boeing 707
Boeing 747
There are plenty of other contenders that people loved / love, from the Stratocruiser to the L-1011 to Concorde, that were exciting or beautiful but hardly influential.
Ford Tri-Motor
Douglas DC-3
Lockheed Constellation
Boeing 707
Boeing 747
There are plenty of other contenders that people loved / love, from the Stratocruiser to the L-1011 to Concorde, that were exciting or beautiful but hardly influential.
#19


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For influence I think the Comet must be on the list. The first jet liner, 1952, which, although a step forward in flying also had it's disasters with metal fatigue. However, as wiki says - the aircraft's legacy does include numerous advances in aircraft design and in accident investigations. The inquiries into the accidents that plagued the Comet 1 were perhaps some of the most extensive and revolutionary that have ever taken place, establishing precedents in accident investigation; many of the deep-sea salvage and aircraft reconstruction techniques employed have remained in use within the aviation industry.
It's been said that, without the Comet, Boeing wouldn't have pushed for the 707 so fast.
It's been said that, without the Comet, Boeing wouldn't have pushed for the 707 so fast.
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#21
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For me, the all-time Big Five for me would be:
DC-3
Constellation
707
747
Concorde
Each one of them did something groundbreaking in civil aviation. I could be talked out of the 707 in exchange for a Comet, I suppose.
Some of you guys are throwing in military aircraft... If we're going there, then I would put a backseat ride in an SR-71 at #1.
But I don't suppose any civilian has ever gotten that privilege...
DC-3
Constellation
707
747
Concorde
Each one of them did something groundbreaking in civil aviation. I could be talked out of the 707 in exchange for a Comet, I suppose.
Some of you guys are throwing in military aircraft... If we're going there, then I would put a backseat ride in an SR-71 at #1.
But I don't suppose any civilian has ever gotten that privilege...
#22




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Ok, this thread is pure catnip/crack! ^
If we're going historical, my [commercial] Big 5:
- 747-100
- Comet
- Boeing 314 Flying Clipper
- Zeppelin (cheating, but still!)
- Concorde
And a giant question mark for which gets Honorable Mention.
If we're going historical, my [commercial] Big 5:
- 747-100
- Comet
- Boeing 314 Flying Clipper
- Zeppelin (cheating, but still!)
- Concorde
And a giant question mark for which gets Honorable Mention.
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#24




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For influence I think the Comet must be on the list. The first jet liner, 1952, which, although a step forward in flying also had it's disasters with metal fatigue. However, as wiki says - the aircraft's legacy does include numerous advances in aircraft design and in accident investigations. The inquiries into the accidents that plagued the Comet 1 were perhaps some of the most extensive and revolutionary that have ever taken place, establishing precedents in accident investigation; many of the deep-sea salvage and aircraft reconstruction techniques employed have remained in use within the aviation industry.
It's been said that, without the Comet, Boeing wouldn't have pushed for the 707 so fast.
It's been said that, without the Comet, Boeing wouldn't have pushed for the 707 so fast.
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1. The Concorde NO
2. Boeing 747 YES
3. Airbus A380 NO
4. McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 NO
5. Lockheed L-1011 YES
I have only flown 2 of these in 1250 flights. I am almost certain I will get to fly the A380 in the near future.
My main goal now is to fly the upper deck of the 747 which despite 3 flights in (two in Business/First) I have still not done. I think my best hope is Upper Class MAN-MCO (VS but DL code share) - then onward to ATL and DAY/CVG - or the reverse of course.
2. Boeing 747 YES
3. Airbus A380 NO
4. McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 NO
5. Lockheed L-1011 YES
I have only flown 2 of these in 1250 flights. I am almost certain I will get to fly the A380 in the near future.
My main goal now is to fly the upper deck of the 747 which despite 3 flights in (two in Business/First) I have still not done. I think my best hope is Upper Class MAN-MCO (VS but DL code share) - then onward to ATL and DAY/CVG - or the reverse of course.
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1. The Concorde NO
2. Boeing 747 YES
3. Airbus A380 NO
4. McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 NO
5. Lockheed L-1011 YES
I have only flown 2 of these in 1250 flights. I am almost certain I will get to fly the A380 in the near future.
My main goal now is to fly the upper deck of the 747 which despite 3 flights in (two in Business/First) I have still not done. I think my best hope is Upper Class MAN-MCO (VS but DL code share) - then onward to ATL and DAY/CVG - or the reverse of course.
2. Boeing 747 YES
3. Airbus A380 NO
4. McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 NO
5. Lockheed L-1011 YES
I have only flown 2 of these in 1250 flights. I am almost certain I will get to fly the A380 in the near future.
My main goal now is to fly the upper deck of the 747 which despite 3 flights in (two in Business/First) I have still not done. I think my best hope is Upper Class MAN-MCO (VS but DL code share) - then onward to ATL and DAY/CVG - or the reverse of course.
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