Speedy wrote:
bomberflight wrote:
I thought I'd draw you're attention to a photo thread over on Flypast which I think many of you will find interesting.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... p?t=108689I truly stunning line up of US built aircraft at one show in the UK in 1959

And yet...at the time, that kind of line-up was just 'normal'...the same way we'd feel today about a line with F-16's, F-18's, A-10's, etc.
It might have been "normal" for 1959, but it's not the way I feel about a lineup of F-16's, etc. today. I have seen those aircraft so many times over the last 25 to 35 years that they don't excite me any more. 1959 had a much more interesting and large variety of aircraft in service than today. As an example these were Air Force/Air National Guard fighters in service in 1959: F-84F, F-86D/L, F-86H, F-89H/J, F-94C (retired July 1959), F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105, F-106 (entered service July 1959). Air Force/Air National Guard Fighters in service in 2011: F-15, F-16, A-10, F-22. I don't think I will ever feel the same way about these current aircraft compared to all the great aircraft that were in service during the fifties, sixties and seventies (Whether fighters, bombers, transports or other types).
I guess that is why I enjoy seeing classic vintage jets and other warbirds at air shows so much more than most currently serving aircraft. Just my own opinion and preferences - I respect others with different opinions also.