360 Degrees of Aviation

[Seraphim]

In this admin approved challenge, you are asked to take the airplane listed in the post before your own, give the name of a related airplane and explain why you considered the two to be related (eg. engine type, one plane intended to replace the other, sworn enemies, etc.). You may designate marks but the next poster should not reply with a different mark of the same airplane (eg. Spitfire Mk. V should not be followed by Spitfire Mk. IV, F-14 A should not be followed by F-14 B, etc.) unless you are at a complete loss. It would be nice to see you guys think outside the box a bit. You may also include an image of the plane you mention as well as a link to more information on the plane, although this is not required.

I will begin with the Supermarine Spitfire (Mk. IX)

[Iceman]

I got this.

F6F-5 Hellcat


Reason: What the Spit MkIX was to the Britains, racking up many Fw190 kills, the F6F-5 was to the Americans, racking up scores of Zero kills. Both were fast and agile, and did tons of work in their respective theaters.

[Bombcat]

McDonald Douglas F-4J Phantom II



What the F6F-5 Hellcat was for the US and Royal Navies of the 1940's, the F-4 Phantom was for the Navies of the 1960's and 70's. Not the most agile fighter in the world, it was faster, and technologically more sophisticated then it's rivals. Both were rugged carrier birds which enabled the Navy to achieve air superiority against lighter, more agile foes - Zeros for the Hellcat, MiG-17's and -21's for the Phantom.

[Iceman]

F-86 Sabre

The Americans had the Phant in Nam'. But back in Korea, they had these.

[Bombcat]

Martin XB-51

Powered by 3 of the Saber's GE47's, the XB-51 was also an early American beneficiary of German swept wing technology. It looks at least as epic as well.

[mitout]

The Canberra was chosen (as the B-57) instead of that.
(sorry for not really being original.)

[Dragon029]

In the RAAF at least, the Canberra was replaced by the F-111 which pushed bomber service ceilings higher yet:

[Seraphim]

SU-24 Russia's copycat of the F-111

[Iceman]

Another swing wing attacker

[vandal]

The Blackburn Buccaneer, was replaced by the Tornado and also served in the RAF with merit.

[Bombcat]

The Grumman A-6 Intruder filled a comparable ship based anti-shipping and ground attack for the US in the 1960's and 70's.

[Iceman]

Get yo booty on TS, Bombcat.


The AF equivalent of the A-6.

[vandal]

The Soviets answer to the A-10.

[Shutter]

FMA IA 58 Pucará is not of the same class, but I always think of it as a cheap a-10 or frogfoot that does work.

[halberdier25]

The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk. Same COIN mission, but operated by the US Army.

[SvenPhantom]

OV-10 Because it's performs the same missions and is very similar to it.

[Iceman]

The A-1 Skyraider, because back when, that was it's mission.

[Bombcat]

Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.

Both aircraft were close air support aircraft with the American forces during the Vietnam war.

[Shutter]

Bell 309, because it is based on the cobra but with some added coolness.

[Bombcat]

Bell XF-109

Another aircraft from Bell which failed to see military service.