Cold War Speed Demons

A look-back through history at some of the record-breaking interceptors, bombers and reconaissance aircraft of the cold war.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Cold
• War
• interceptors
• F-15
• English
• Electric
• Lightning
• airplane
• MiG-25

[SgtGrant23]

the f-111 isnt up there the f-16 the a-5 the b-1 those had speed

[DevanC105]

F-111 probably should go up there along with the A-5, but the F-16 and B-1 dont go mach 2

[Quokka57]

You've got to be kidding me. A plane that can do Mach 2.5 "isn't up there"???. The very aircraft that sent shivers through the Eastern Bloc when it was based in England because they knew there was nothing they could do to see it, catch it, or stop it? No other plane ever built, Russian, American, or other could do what it could. And still can't. There's only a few planes even today that go close to the speed, agility and armament specs of the 'pig'. Leaving this plane out is an understatement.

[DevanC105]

which one r u talkin about??

[bgibb101]

The English Electric (BAC) Lightning was the first aircraft ever to achieve "supercruise" and 40 years before the F-22. The Lightning was and still is a simply fantastic aircraft. It is a crime that the few remaining UK privately owned planes are not allowed to fly there. Thank God for Thunder City in Cape Town, SA, that keep four of these incredible planes airworthy.

[ShoeiBoy]

Yea... you know it... and it was in service with the RAF in 1957, not 1960.

1957 - 1988 that's 31 years active service, and still holds world records for climbing even to this day.

The best there's ever been.

[spahjrp]

Cool planes...absolutely terrible jungle music.

[bazadata]

I liked the Blackbird. I think I'd take Be my Enemy into space.

[CrotchRocket78]

Pics are great, but the music really kills it..

[TheMemphisSlim]

very boring still shots.. and turn off the Urban music.. jeeze man, what do colored guys have to do with fighter jets

[BlackPhantomJambo]

The MiG 31 is frekin fast!

[brtshstel]

@DevanC105 The B-1B wasn't a mach 2 jet, but the B-1A was. Before Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara canceled it in favor of ICMBs and SLBMs as the primary nuclear delivery system, there were a few B-1As that were built in the late 60s to early 70s. Its top speed was a little over mach 2 in cruising altitude flight.

[LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH]

@bgibb101 Agree entirely. The Lightening is awesome, a real powerhouse of a machine. The ONLY Nato jet to successfully catch Concorde in a tail chase interception competition, even the F-15 failed to catch it -says something I think. Like the Vulcan, the Lightening was a tremendous feat of British engineering, pity we have to work with the Europeans these days-design by commitee etc.

[AgentPepsi1]

You really have to get rid of that "music"

[edj66]

@DevanC105 English Electric Lightning I think...