The best fighter of the 1950's.

[Soren]

So which is it in your opinion ?

[Lucky13]

I'd pick the F-8 Crusader me think.....

[michaelmaltby]

Canadair-built F-86 Sabre.

MM

[Glider]

Much as I love the Hunter, the F8 Crusader would also get the vote from me.

[Lucky13]

She is a beaut!

[Soren]

II'm leaning towards the English Electric lightning, eventhough it just barely made it into this category being introduced at the very end of the 1950's, December 1959.

[Lucky13]

Just noticed that Crusader isn't on the list and it was introduced in '57!

[Soren]

Damn how could I forget about the F8 Crusader ! One of my fav a/c !

Hey mods, add the F8 to the poll please

The F8 Crusader & English Electric Lighting are definitely top contenders.

[drgondog]

Soren - best fighter for what (or which combination of) missions?

Delivery of nuclear weapons, fighter bomber, interceptor, air superiority, fleet defense, ???

F-106 ought to be in the list

[Soren]

Bill,

Primarily air to air combat.

[drgondog]

Bill,

Primarily air to air combat.

That would cut part of your list if you actually looked at combat records in air to air?

[timshatz]

Toss up already mentioned is a good one. But the Mig 21 also came out in 1959. That's gotta be worth a look.

Forgot one more that had it's first flight in 1959. How about the Northrop F-5. That was one very neat bird. It even looked like a fighter jet should look.

[Soren]

That would cut part of your list if you actually looked at combat records in air to air?

Why ? I know the F-105 for example primarily was used as a fighter-bomber, but it could & was also used for aircombat, acquiring a decent score.

[Soren]

The F-106 Delta Dart actually should be on the list, I haven't heard much about this a/c before but its stats look impressive.

[drgondog]

The F-106 Delta Dart actually should be on the list, I haven't heard much about this a/c before but its stats look impressive.

The 106 was very agile, but slower in acceleration relative to the Lightning and the MiG 21. Probably the best manuever aircraft in the US inventory in the 50's. However it was pure missle in the 50's.

The F-105 actually had better than 1:1 - at least in the 355th which got 20 in the air in NVN... but the favorite saying for the Thud drivers was "Check your 12" simply because speed was its out manuever. Nothing could touch it on the deck - not even the F-4.

The 355th had three guys score 2 in one mission, plus Thorsness got one and a probable when he got his Medal.

Having said this it was TAC spec all the way. Fast, on the deck, deliver a big Nuc and get outta town and really doesn't get votes as an air combat fighter.