Most beautiful fighter ever built?

[hairystick]

On 3/27/2024 at 1:27 AM, stalal said:

- F-4 Phantom

I can't see the Phantom being in the running.

To quote a pilot who saw one of the first delivered to his squadron "I thought it was so ugly, it must have been delivered upside down!".

[Karearea]

On 3/26/2024 at 4:30 AM, upnorth said:

I thought blasphemy these days was saying the F-35 is a beauty

I’ve really come around to the F-35 in a big way, particularly the A. It has an endearing ‘cute but deadly’ vibe, like a sparrow cross-bred with a falcon. From some angles I reckon it’s beautiful even. Not quite on the list though.

 

We had a couple of F-16s down here recently (which I wasn’t able to see in person). Already the prettiest fourth Gen US Fighter in my opinion, but in the newer Have Glass scheme they look utterly stunning.

[Jedi Delio]

Ive only just come back to look at how far this debate has gone and in all honesty have to say reading some of the comments has made me soil myself a couple times with sheer laughter and merriment!
its obvious we are all never going to agree as to which our favourite aircraft are given how many there have been since powered flight was brought into play!

it has been cool to see all the differing opinions posted given also how many nationalities got involved in the debate but going back to the original again, its the Spit by a mile, the Hunters nose is too short and wing area way to big for the airframe. Its only nice to look at from certain angles for me but again, personal taste here and not a criticism of this aircraft though no doubt now, it will all kick off again!
Hold tight, fast ride, hands in the air! 

[RMP2]

After some long deliberation I would have to go witha Spitfire, mkIX I reckon.

 

A little surprised noone has mentioned the (Y)F23 

[stevehnz]

12 hours ago, RMP2 said:

A little surprised no one has mentioned the (Y)F23 

Yeah, Nah. To many angles, not enough curves. IMHO of course.

Steve.

[kiseca]

3 hours ago, stevehnz said:

Yeah, Nah. To many angles, not enough curves. IMHO of course.

Steve.

 

Those equilateral triangle wings break it for me... they just look weird to me.  At the same time though, I can't imagine it without them! The engine bumps top and bottom are really cool. They give the aircraft more character than an F-22. But with those wings, the YF-23 won't ever make it on to my most beautiful aircraft list. Not ugly, but blemished.

[tony.t]

Wonderwoman, though she was formed and not built.

 

Fighter aircraft, probably the Mosquito, which was formed as much as built.

 

Jet fighter aircraft, has to be the Hunter, Su-15 Flagon or J.35 Draken.

 

Tony 

[FatFlyHalf]

Mosquito NF II.

[Flt Sgt FishCat]

For WWI: Sopwith Snipe

For Interwar: Hawker Hart

For WWII: Spitfire IX very obviously

Early Cold War: Supermarine Scimitar I feel is the most attractive aeroplane

Late Cold War: Harrier GR.1 I think has a nice sleek appearance but the later Harriers look too noisy and cluttered

Modern day: Panavia Tornado is my favourite modern aircraft and I think it's very clever and aggressive looking

Edited November 11, 2024 by Flt Sgt FishCat
Forgot Interwar period