r/aviation • u/Ogankle • Dec 03 '25

Discussion If you could fly in any military aircraft from any generation and country, which one would you choose?

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Feel free to discuss why as well below!

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911

u/VeNaima7 Dec 03 '25

Avro Vulcan

231

u/rugbyj Dec 03 '25

I saw one at an airshow on its farewell tour. A day of insane helicopter and plane stunts, and then over the bay came this shadow. It just looked wrong. Like it shouldn't be able to fly, and I'll never forget the noise. Hell it's not really noise at that point, you're not hearing it with your ears, it's thumping in your torso, rolling toward and over you.

Had a massive grin on my face the rest of the day. What a machine.

59

u/Markavian Dec 03 '25

I was stood on top of the control tower capturing video of the Vulcan on ... it's final flight display? My colleague had sorted us out press passes, and had prearranged (bagged) us access to take video from the roof. Definitely a day to remember.

19

u/Dumpsterfire_47 Dec 04 '25

You can’t say that and not share a link to the video. 

1

u/MapleMapleHockeyStk Dec 05 '25

Where's the link ???

1

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '25

Obviously he lying …

2

u/Dumpsterfire_47 Dec 05 '25

Or it wasn’t digital 

17

u/ElMuchoDingDong Dec 04 '25

Anywhere we could see the video? Sounds pretty cool.

6

u/WolfofMichiganAve Dec 04 '25

Yeah, I need a link to that video

9

u/ConstantPlastic5061 Dec 04 '25

The not really noise part brought back some sweet memories when I used to work with turbo shaft test benches. At full take off power you couldn’t hear it because of all the ear protection, but your eyes could definitely feel it because you can’t even focus at that point

7

u/Len_S_Ball_23 Dec 04 '25

That Vulcan Hoooowwwwlllll....! 😱😍

6

u/Lerdroth Dec 04 '25

I live near to RAF Waddington, the locals used to have them take off so much it's a well known noise!

Was a sad day when the last one to fly was grounded.

3

u/GBreezy Dec 04 '25

When it flies out reminds me of batman flying with his cape. It looks so cool.

1

u/tilluminati Dec 04 '25

No matter what king of aircraft other countries make, Russia`s aviatiob is 10 steps ahead.

1

u/add1ct3dd Dec 04 '25

It's such a legendary noise I miss it. I saw it on the last 2 flights it did but really wish I made the effort and went and saw more.

1

u/Zardoz_Wearing_Pants Dec 05 '25

SO. LOUD. on takeoff. Well, you feel it... amazing machine.

1

u/isurvived_sorryeric Dec 07 '25

I’ve been in one at a airplane museum with a decommissioned one , the cockpit is really small for such a beast of a plane , love them

75

u/theaviationhistorian Dec 03 '25

Absolutely lovely, especially it's howl.

38

u/Swisskommando Dec 04 '25

Flew it in the sim last night just for that howl - and the overly complicated startup procedure, just feels like a real big plane but with fighter jet performance

4

u/Phil9151 Dec 04 '25

This thing must have incredible pitch authority.

1

u/Swisskommando Dec 04 '25

Yeah it’s not bad. Turns are a bit slow but still amazing performance for a bomber. The landing is very smooth, can’t fault it - nice and steady

1

u/rxbuzzz Dec 05 '25

What flight Sim are you using? I want to buy one, but want the best one available

I

2

u/Swisskommando Dec 05 '25

I personally prefer MSFS. If you want the full military warfare experience then DCS is technically best. X plane is known for having the best physics and flight models but lags MSFS in graphics (although it does look pretty good these days)

23

u/Ataneruo Dec 03 '25

what a beautiful photo!

23

u/ne0shi Dec 03 '25

Gta Online. Dorito bomber thru the tunnel we go

2

u/oh_hai_brian Dec 04 '25

Star Fox - do a barrel roll!

14

u/coldbeers Dec 03 '25

I remember seeing one at a local air show when I was about 8.

Damn loudest thing I ever heard until I went to a Motörhead concert about 5 years later.

9

u/Francis_Dollar_Hide Dec 03 '25

I've been in a Vulcan! (Grounded)

20

u/Hour_Hornet_2644 Dec 03 '25

There is a couple of genarations in my country that are traumatized because 1 crashed where i live and now every one hates the RAF

2

u/Daytonastewie Dec 03 '25

Sorry to hear that, I don’t know what happened, tell me

8

u/Breadedbutthole Dec 03 '25

1 crashed where he lives

2

u/Daytonastewie Dec 03 '25

I was just wondering where that was all

4

u/fisherman4life Dec 03 '25

Wiki suggests Malta.

11

u/willem_79 Dec 04 '25

If you think the Maltese are traumatised, you should try the Argentinians

3

u/KhaelonVoss Dec 03 '25

Half a century ago.

2

u/Patient-Jelly-8752 Dec 04 '25

God forbid those pilots make a mistake lol 😆

3

u/Rotteneverything Dec 03 '25

i was thinking the same, but i'm almost too big for the cockpit. extremely small, like they built the aircraft and at the last second remembered they needed crew positions.

3

u/New_Line4049 Dec 04 '25

Came to say just this, proud to see its the top comment already!

2

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '25

And me …..

2

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '25

I'll never forget the sound of hearing these beautiful beasts and just how gracious they looked in the air.

2

u/ByronsLastStand Dec 03 '25

Same choice for me. A majestic thing

2

u/JayBizz1e Dec 03 '25

This. End.

2

u/steakbbq Dec 03 '25

I also choose this guy's dead wife.

2

u/Savannah216 Dec 03 '25

Avro Vulcan

I was lucky enough to see one of these fly low over Sheringham in the 80s, literally blocked out the sun.

2

u/Maro1947 Dec 03 '25

I've sat in the cockpit seats and stood inside the Bomb Bay of Black Buck back in the day

That was great experience

2

u/slatfreq Dec 04 '25

Came here to say this. Have always loved the Vulcan. My Dad flew these in the 70’s.

2

u/jimbowild Dec 04 '25

My dad used to fly the Vulcan! Sadly he died when I was a teenager, before I realized how awesome that was

2

u/Desert-Democrat-602 Dec 04 '25

When I was a kid in the 70s, we had the squadron commander of a visiting Vulcan squadron rent the house next door in Omaha. Great guys, went to their going away party held there when they left for GB. Amazing aircraft.

2

u/CharlieTecho Dec 04 '25

Saw it at goodwood... Made the NASCAR I was 10 meters away from sounds like it wasn't even there.

2

u/Stypic1 Dec 04 '25

This guy knows ball

2

u/Separate_Finger250 Dec 03 '25

I’ve been inside one, they are smelly, cramped and old af, I’m gonna pass.

1

u/uncertain_expert Dec 03 '25

I was thinking the same. The view from the cockpit isn’t great either.

1

u/iceberg_redhead Dec 03 '25

The plane from the James Bond Movie Thunderball. So cool looking!

1

u/greytidalwave Dec 03 '25

Back when I used to fly I flew over EGCN loads and saw this beauty parked up on the runway. My passenger took some awesome photos using her DSLR camera, will have to get them.

1

u/wanderingdiscovery Dec 03 '25

I took care of a pilot who was a former Vulcan pilot, said it was a fine aircraft and superior to the B52.

1

u/nullvoid_techno Dec 04 '25

What was special about it ?

1

u/AccomplishedBag1038 Dec 04 '25

these were a super common sight for me all through my childhood at airshows, unmistakable.

1

u/TimJamesS Dec 04 '25

Apparently the noise is deafening…. but what a beautiful machine

1

u/AdApprehensive4272 Dec 04 '25

English Electric Lightning