AVAILABLE NOW
February 2012
ON THE COVER…
The final end of USAF SR-71 operations in 1997 came after many a previous attempt to ground this most spectacular of strategic reconnaissance assets. The story behind it was one of seemingly endless political and military in-fighting, one from which the ‘Habu’ was ultimately unable to escape. Shown on the cover is SR-71A 64-17971 of the 9th RW’s Det 2, cruising over California’s majestic Sierras during a training mission in the type’s final weeks of operation.
Cover image by Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics
Welcome to Classic Aircraft
If your interest is in the greatest years of aviation and the glory days of charismatic aircraft, then Classic Aircraft is the magazine for you.
From the most famous airliners to the most exciting military jets of all time, our coverage is second to none. Classic Aircraft places its focus on the jet and propeller-driven types of the post-war years, covering the developments in military aviation and fascinating operations during the Cold War period, and the huge changes that swept through the airline world as mass air travel became a reality.
But there's much more to the history in Classic Aircraft than that. We cover the heroes of World War Two, the inter-war period, World War One and the pioneer aviators; we also report on the vibrant aircraft preservation scene. Whatever the subject, stunning imagery accompanies informed, in-depth, intelligent articles from authors passionate about aviation, including ‘behind the scenes’ first-hand accounts and revealing 'from the cockpit' stories. Aviation writing gets no better.
Every issue is also packed with the latest event reports, opinionated columns and product reviews, while special free supplements throughout the year are not to be missed.
Classic Aircraft — the magazine for the aviation aficionado.
The 40 Greatest Aircraft as voted for by Classic Aircraft
TOP TEN
Avro Lancaster
Boeing 747
English Electric Lightning
McDonnell F-4 Phantom
Lockheed SR-71
Avro Vulcan
Douglas DC-3
Hawker Siddeley Harrier
Supermarine Spitfire
BAC/Aerospatiale Concorde
Numbers 40 down to 30...
40 Boeing 737 39 Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' 38 de Havilland Tiger Moth 37 Messerschmitt Me262 36 North American F-86 Sabre 35 Northrop B-2 Spirit 34 Blackburn Buccaneer 33 Sopwith Camel 32 Rockwell B-1B Lancer 31 BAC TSR2 30 Vickers Viscount 29 North American XB-70 Valkyrie 28 McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 27 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon 26 Wright Flyer 25 Panavia Tornado 24 English Electric Canberra 23 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter 22 Grumman F-14 Tomcat 21 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 20 Vickers VC10 19 Lockheed Constellation 18 Boeing 707 17 Lockheed C-130 Hercules 16Hawker Hurricane 15 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress 14 Hawker Hunter 13 de Havilland DH106 Comet 12 de Havilland Mosquito 11 North American P-51 Mustang
