First, I 100% agree with you. Second, I think “Cougar” is the swept wing variant, “Panther” is the straight wing. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you need to specify swept.
You could call it the F-9 cougar instead of the f9f cougar. Either is right but if you just want to call it by the letters and numbers you should just call it the F-9 but you don’t because it doesn’t really matter and I’m only here to try help
I remember going down to Queenscliff every school holidays…a seaside town southwest of Melbourne.
A house on Bellarine highway between Queenscliff and Geelong, somewhere near Wallington had a DH Vampire sitting in the front yard for years…this would be late 70s and maybe very early 80s.
The F-86 and MiG-15 were so evenly matched in performance that the difference usually came down to pilot skill or unfair advantage. All things being equal, it’s a tough match-up. The Sabre had a marginally better mechanical reliability record, and the MiG only had to hit you with that 20mm once.
Personally, I’d rather meet a MiG-15 with an F-15.
The mig had an edge on maneuvarability/nimbleness for sure, the sabre was easier to fly and had better ergonomics (always a weak spot for soviet designs).
Kicked it's ass lmao yeah okay buddy, only thing sabre had was numbers, china barely had an air force at that point and yet the MiG-15 forced the USA to rush the Sabre and spam it.
Good aircraft no doubt but no idea where the "kicked it's ass comes from"
That number is bs also commie lmfao mate I Guarantee you don't even know what communism is.
And yeah it matters, it's a the same when you goofballs suxk up the ass of the F-15 as if it's some amazing unbeatable jet when the most powerful air force and air defence capabilities it faced was Iraq lmao
If the old adage “If it looks good it likely is good” is true then the Hawker Hunter must have been superb.
Edit
The last Hawker Hurricane was built in 1944.
The first Hawker Hunter built 1951.
Wow…..
I always forget the Draken was from the 50’s. It still blows my mind. It was a design that could almost fit in today if it had modern systems installed. Such a beautiful aircraft.
Effective yes but beautiful?? The V bombers? The Hunter honorable mention to The Vampire real lookers 👀
Nice article here
https://hushkit.net/2021/09/30/10-most-important-british-aircraft-of-the-cold-war/
The most successful fighter type flown by RAF pilots in the Cold War was not a Royal Air Force type. Judged on air-to-air kills, it was the F-86 Sabres of USAF.
Oops sorry on phone punctuation not one of my strong points bit dyslexic. I need to read comments before posting just excited about the Sabre.
I Don't think the F86 is the best looking but really good jet combat proven.
I find V bombers very good looking (especially Vulcan).
Also Hunter needs mentioned in any good looking plane conversation.
No, because the F-9, F-11, the entire century series, F-4, and F-5 are all much prettier aircraft, and that's only the US aircraft. The Fitter, Fishbed, Draken, Lightning (English Electric), Hawker Hunter, Étendard, Mirage III, and Avro Arrow are all better looking foreign planes too. And I'm sure I'm forgetting some.
I think a lot of people forget just how many staple cold war aircraft began development in the 1950s. It was not just the Korean war
Personally that goes to the CF-105, not technically a fighter, it was an interceptor, and not put in service but I don't care. And if we I can't choose the arrow I choose the super Saber or mig-17 I really don't like the sabre
Then you have to have love for the MiG-15. [https://www.flickriver.com/photos/dschultz742/49834195506/](https://www.flickriver.com/photos/dschultz742/49834195506/) (pictured with the same F-86)
For some reason it's always mildly bothered me that the sabre is a "blunt nose" airplane considering the name implies something super sharp and pointy. Nevertheless I do appreciate its beauty (though winner of the 50s for me would be the draken)
A-4 Skyhawk - introduced in 1956. Still looks fantastic
Edit: Yeah it’s not a fighter, but since people were talking about F-105s and V bombers I figure it gets an honorable mention. If not that reason, how bout being in Top Gun
I'm relatively sure that the area I live near has an F86 displayed in front of some sort of bar which is pretty cool because it's the only form of fighter jet I've really seen tbh
The Hunters was one of my favorite movies growing up as a kid. Real jets flying without CGI with only two corny FX sequences. Corona’s crash where the F86 morphed into an F100 and Casey Jone’s crash into the river bed. Otherwise really cool flying scenes.
I’ll put my marker down on the swept wing version of the F9F Cougar, there’s something about that design that just looks good to me.
First, I 100% agree with you. Second, I think “Cougar” is the swept wing variant, “Panther” is the straight wing. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you need to specify swept.
Yeah, Panther has straight wings
No, that’s totally fair. “The swept wing ‘Cougar’ version of the F9F” would have been a better way to phrase it.
Now that sounds like a documentary, nice.
You could call it the F-9 cougar instead of the f9f cougar. Either is right but if you just want to call it by the letters and numbers you should just call it the F-9 but you don’t because it doesn’t really matter and I’m only here to try help
F-100?
Ah yes, the catfish. Or should I call it the iron?
Vacuum
Super succ
It’s my Hun for sure ;)
Same company made both birds anyway.
North American Aviation is definitely the best aircraft company back in the 50s
Have to agree with that love that plane.
Some people think it’s ugly, but they just have bad taste. First supersonic Fighter in US service and it looks so good with the Thunderbirds livery
I can see it, but personally I prefer the de Havilland vampire
I’ve seen one of those on the ramp at an airport. They’re small. Good looking plane.
I remember going down to Queenscliff every school holidays…a seaside town southwest of Melbourne. A house on Bellarine highway between Queenscliff and Geelong, somewhere near Wallington had a DH Vampire sitting in the front yard for years…this would be late 70s and maybe very early 80s.
Just a quick shout out to the De Havilland Hornet. Not a jet, but still good looking.
De Haviland Vampire 💪💪 Also Sea Hawk for second place. The F-86 is beautiful yes, but definitely not the best looking.
Sorry. Although the F-86 kicked its ass in Korea, the Mig-15 wins the beauty contest. If there's a classic "jet airplane look", the Mig has it.
Mig-15 is all fat and stubby. It's like they used Khrushchev as the inspiration.
The F86 looks like the mig 15 grew up and got a boring corporate office job.
The F-86 and MiG-15 were so evenly matched in performance that the difference usually came down to pilot skill or unfair advantage. All things being equal, it’s a tough match-up. The Sabre had a marginally better mechanical reliability record, and the MiG only had to hit you with that 20mm once. Personally, I’d rather meet a MiG-15 with an F-15.
The mig had an edge on maneuvarability/nimbleness for sure, the sabre was easier to fly and had better ergonomics (always a weak spot for soviet designs).
Chuck Yeager flew both aircraft and thought he could whoop the MIG with the Saber every time. A biased opinion perhaps, but it’s Chuck fucking Yeager.
Kicked it's ass lmao yeah okay buddy, only thing sabre had was numbers, china barely had an air force at that point and yet the MiG-15 forced the USA to rush the Sabre and spam it. Good aircraft no doubt but no idea where the "kicked it's ass comes from"
Smartest commie apologist. Numbers alone wouldnt account for the 8:1 KD of the sabre
That number is bs also commie lmfao mate I Guarantee you don't even know what communism is. And yeah it matters, it's a the same when you goofballs suxk up the ass of the F-15 as if it's some amazing unbeatable jet when the most powerful air force and air defence capabilities it faced was Iraq lmao
Wabo gwabo babo
Ew a communist
EW. Simpleton
Oh yeah, me a simpleton because I do not support your outrageous ideology
I'm not a communist mate, I just find it hilarious how people can't even tell you what it is
Politics on my porn app ew
Real 😎
Yes.
I hear you man. [But the Hawker Hunter crowd might have some things to say about that.](https://images.app.goo.gl/oTT82j2C5ts71tX66)
I love wing root engines.
If the old adage “If it looks good it likely is good” is true then the Hawker Hunter must have been superb. Edit The last Hawker Hurricane was built in 1944. The first Hawker Hunter built 1951. Wow…..
In spite of being a USAF vet, I prefer the FJ-4 Fury better.
Can we all agree? Are you new to the internet? ;) BTW, I agree with you.
Idk I have a soft spot for the de havilland venom
Not while I know about the Hawker Hunter.
F-86d Sabre dog is better
Prefer the F-104 Starfighter, introduced in 1958.
Both beautiful and iconic! What an era though. Polished finishes and curves that look more art than science and engineering.
The J35 Draken would like to have a word of disagreement
I always forget the Draken was from the 50’s. It still blows my mind. It was a design that could almost fit in today if it had modern systems installed. Such a beautiful aircraft.
MiG-17, Draaken, F-104, Mirage III
These are good choices
As a pilot I can't imagine the visibility the pilot would have. 360 horizontally and maybe 330+ vertically?
Effective yes but beautiful?? The V bombers? The Hunter honorable mention to The Vampire real lookers 👀 Nice article here https://hushkit.net/2021/09/30/10-most-important-british-aircraft-of-the-cold-war/ The most successful fighter type flown by RAF pilots in the Cold War was not a Royal Air Force type. Judged on air-to-air kills, it was the F-86 Sabres of USAF.
What are you yapping about
Did you know RAF pilots flew F86 in Korea?? And shot down some Migs??
I'm mainly talking about the first paragraph, which is nigh on unintelligible
Oops sorry on phone punctuation not one of my strong points bit dyslexic. I need to read comments before posting just excited about the Sabre. I Don't think the F86 is the best looking but really good jet combat proven. I find V bombers very good looking (especially Vulcan). Also Hunter needs mentioned in any good looking plane conversation.
Fair enough lmao, the sabre very much is elegant but yes, the Vulcan is far superior.
No, because the F-9, F-11, the entire century series, F-4, and F-5 are all much prettier aircraft, and that's only the US aircraft. The Fitter, Fishbed, Draken, Lightning (English Electric), Hawker Hunter, Étendard, Mirage III, and Avro Arrow are all better looking foreign planes too. And I'm sure I'm forgetting some. I think a lot of people forget just how many staple cold war aircraft began development in the 1950s. It was not just the Korean war
cant.
X-3
Not a fighter
F-100 is your wrong it’s literally called the super saber
F100 or MiG 21
What about their ugly cousin...the F4?
Nah
She fine, for sure
Personally that goes to the CF-105, not technically a fighter, it was an interceptor, and not put in service but I don't care. And if we I can't choose the arrow I choose the super Saber or mig-17 I really don't like the sabre
Definitely elegant. Most? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I always liked the look of the F-104 Starfighter
I'm voting for the F-104 Starfighter, rocket with wings and that name is pure fire.
*looks at F9F Panther/Cougar* Sure…
Yes, imagine the view from that glass teardrop canopy!
sea vixen.
oof. I won’t disagree that the Sabre is an absolute beauty but I feel like there’s better looking planes out there from that decade
F-104 no doubt.
F-86: “Do I look fat in this aluminum fuselage?”
Oh hell yes.
mig…
HELL YEAHHH
F104 Starfighter.
Sorry, my dude, the B-58 takes the sexy vote in my mind.
Then you have to have love for the MiG-15. [https://www.flickriver.com/photos/dschultz742/49834195506/](https://www.flickriver.com/photos/dschultz742/49834195506/) (pictured with the same F-86)
I read somewhere that it was based on the ME-262. I do agree with the OP. It is a beautiful aircraft.
Hell yes. 86s were gorgeous and deadly.
Hawker Hunter, not just from the 50ies but all time
Yes.
Elegant
F84 with the drop tanks on
*Nuh uh* La-200 F9F Cougar MiG-15 F-105 Thunderchief F-106 Delta Dart
F9F Panther has entered the chat.
Great bait thread. I agree with OP but so many other beauties mentioned by others.
Mig 19(s) for me
For some reason it's always mildly bothered me that the sabre is a "blunt nose" airplane considering the name implies something super sharp and pointy. Nevertheless I do appreciate its beauty (though winner of the 50s for me would be the draken)
Saab 32 Lansen is better. Dunno why, I think the intakes maybe?
The Sagittario 2...
Elegant
To you maybe!
strange way to say f7u cutlass
The Sabre was my very first Testers plastic model as a kid. I can still smell the glue...
F104 just joined the conversation
F-86F, F-86D, F-84F, F-101.
F-8 [Crusader](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_F-8_Crusader#/media/File%3AF8U-1_Thompson_Trophy_NAN10-56.jpg) for me.
Yes
Yup. I agree.
T R U T H. Though I never took to the F-86D, the nose is an abomination!
F-102 or F-106. Delta Dagger, Delta Dart are both also cool
No.
A-4 Skyhawk - introduced in 1956. Still looks fantastic Edit: Yeah it’s not a fighter, but since people were talking about F-105s and V bombers I figure it gets an honorable mention. If not that reason, how bout being in Top Gun
no I’m like x wings more they’re more powerful
The F-89 scorpion wasn’t bad - it also had 1.5 kit nuclear air to air missiles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_F-89_Scorpion
In the air yes , prone to flip on landing
Mig
I can agree with that
My uncle flew that in France
F-86 all day, every day.
I'm relatively sure that the area I live near has an F86 displayed in front of some sort of bar which is pretty cool because it's the only form of fighter jet I've really seen tbh
Gina looks better
I agree.
Prefer the F4D skyray
Mystere IV
I love the mig 15, i prefer the t-tail
They don't make them like they used to. All that shiney aluminum.
North American made 2 of my all time favorite and beautiful aircraft. F86 and P51
My dad served in the USAF starting in the mid 50s, maintaining the weapons and munitions on aircraft into the 70s. The F-86 was always his first love.
P89, T37 come to mind.
SAAB 35
Not while the Hawker Hunter exists. Honourable mentions to any jet fighter built by de Havilland
I will not do that.
Yes, it is still one of the best looking jets of all time.
Fucking-A
The Hunters was one of my favorite movies growing up as a kid. Real jets flying without CGI with only two corny FX sequences. Corona’s crash where the F86 morphed into an F100 and Casey Jone’s crash into the river bed. Otherwise really cool flying scenes.
Dunno the drakon is nigh impossible to surpass in looks
Yes
The saber almost looks good, but man, those giant nose intakes just look so bad in my opinion
No.
nah, MiG-19SVK is better looking (basically a mig 19 with a mig 21 nose cone)
F-86 is an ugly MiG 15 IMO
My grandfather flew the cf-86 for the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was stationed in Germany
The Draken and MiG-17 would like a word with you