These are some of the best vintage airplanes which are still in service and you can still fly in. Most of these aircraft have been military models but they all have one thing in common, they are some of the oldest plying planes.
20 Vintage Airplanes Which Are Still in Service
20. Mitsubishi A6M Zero
This aircraft was manufactured in the first half of the 1940s by the Imperial Japanese Navy. This 1,200-hp machine was a Navy Type “0” carrier fighter. It is currently located and operated in the Planes of Fame Air Museum.
19. Howard 500
The Howard 500 has exceptional performance and features 2,400 horsepower, 3,600 cubic-inches, and 18 cylinders. Moreover, with its two massive Wright radials tucked into the neatly-encasing nacelles, it’s one of the most expensive aircraft to operate.
18. Lockheed Jetstar
This plane appeared in the early-60s and was among the first in the generation of jets. It symbolized power and many famous people, such as Elvis, wanted to have the first private transport. Nowadays, it’s owned by many who buy them, use them for a short time, and then resell it.
17. Gloster Meteor
Besides not being exceptionally superb, the Gloster Meteor was the first jet-powered fighter from England. This plane is considered to be one of the WWII relics hovering around class E airspace and its first flight was in1943.
16. Northrop N-9M Flying Wing Prototype
Looking quite similar to a stealth bomber, the Northrop N-9M proved to be essential for the development of the XB-35 flying wing program. Even though the project of this aircraft was cancelled due to a crash, it paved the way for the Nighthawk and the Spirit.
15. Bleriot XI
The Bleriot XI is the oldest aircraft which is still in service. With the first flight in 1909, this plane was the first aircraft across the English Channel. The pioneering plane kept its historical significance and is still kept into condition.
14. Beechcraft Starship
This quiet and the first ever plane with an all-glass cockpit is the only one of three Starships still flying in the United States. It comes with an obscure silhouette, mainly due to being entirely constructed of composite material and distinctively featured a tail-less design.
13. Avro XH-558 Vulcan Bomber
This is a former military jet which is still in operation by private people. It features delta wing which is jet-powered and tailless. Nevertheless, it will require a huge budget to keep it airworthy as its technical support is coming to an end.
12. Bell P-63 Kingcobra
This aircraft was constructed in an attempt to improve the deficiencies the Bell P-39 Airacobra had. This is an American fighter aircraft which was constructed by Bell Aircraft in World War II. Even though the United States Army Air Forces didn’t use it for combat, it was accepted by the Soviet Air Force.
11. Boeing B-29 Superfortress
This is one of the largest planes operating during World War II bythe United States during and the Korean War. This gangster aircraft incorporates state-of-the-art technology and was considered to be the ultimate sky-lord.
10. Boeing-Stearman Model 75 Biplane
This former military trainer aircraft was produced in the 1930s. This aircraft was extremely easy to maintain and a perfect starter-plane. There have been more than 10,000Boeing-Stearman Model 75 Biplanes produced, 1,500 of which are still flying today.
9. Antonov AN-2
This Russian made aircraft is the largest single-engine biplane ever made. It comes with the longest production life and it’s extremely versatile. In fact, it was used for various different missions, such as scientific or agricultural ones.
8. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
This is the most outstanding place and the most-produced fighters of WWII. Came with no major design flaws and an exceptional trademark nose art. This American single-engined aircraft had its first flight in 1938.
7. Lockheed 10E Electra
This twin-engine, low-wing monoplane was completely made of steel by the Lockheed Aircraft Company. This was the aircraft Amelia Earhart used to fly over the Atlantic Ocean. However, she disappeared in 1937 together with the plane which remained a complete mystery.
6. P-51 Mustang
One of the most significant and popular aircraft during the WWII was used by bombers. It was constructed in 1940 by North American Aviation and achieved unbelievable fame throughout history.
5. Boeing B-17G
This four-engined heavy bomber created in the 1930swas one of the most glorious aircraft ever made. It kept aircrews safe and remained flying even when pounded with anti-aircraft artillery. In fact, it returned them home thanks to its mechanical presence.
4. Douglas A-1 Skyraider
Mostly known for its power-generating capabilities, the Douglas A-1 Skyraider was operated by eight countries, as well as, the USA. It played a crucial role in the Southeast Asia War mainly due to its ability to carry an immenseamount of weapons and stay over the battlefield.
3. Grumman F7F Tigercat
This is an extremely rare aircraft which features two heavy bomber engines tucked under the retractable wings of this carrier-borne night fighter. It lacked directional stability and even though it was designed for war purposes, it was never used to it.
2. Douglas DC-3
This is the one aircraft that every World War II movie has. It’s one of the most notable transport aircraft ever produced and it’s still in commercial service. Nowadays, you can find it operating under the Buffalo Airways in Canada.
1. Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt
This single-seat was designed forclose air support of ground forcesby the Fairchild-Republic. Eight years ago, it was the first plane which flew powered by biofuels. Its nickname is “The Warthog,”and it’s currently operated by the Northrop Grumman Corporation Aerospace Systems Eastern Region.
