Two of the most popular questions, at least for pilots and other students of aviation history, are: What are the top 10 planes of all time, and which one’s the greatest of them all?
Seems impossible, but we think we did it. Here’s how.
We started with a group of really great airplanes, which automatically turned into cross section of airplane types.
Then we narrowed things down even more by asking if there was a top dog among them. Usually, surprisingly, there was. That one made the list.
We think you’ll agree with at least two-thirds of our picks.
After our Top 10 Planes Of All Time, we present 25 others that a lot of you will argue belong on the main list. In many cases, you’d have a strong argument. Enjoy!
North American AT-6 Texan
Nicknamed “The Pilot Maker,” the single-radial-engine, retractable gear taildragger was the advanced trainer that taught tens of thousands of Allied flight pilots to fly, and not just to fly, but to be pilots, as the plane requires great skill to fly well. Produced in huge numbers—more than 15,000—for the war effort, the relatively affordable T-6 has for decades been the most popular warbird on the airshow and fly-in circuit.
