Oldest combat aircraft still in service

[Careyvan208]

Just thinking about the oldest combat aircraft still serving. My guess it would be
one of the AC-47 gunships. What about the following?
Argentine AF Mirage IIIC 1962/63?
Bolivian T-33 mid 1950s
Singapore AF A-4S [conveted A-4C] 1959?
Iranian AF F-4D and F-5A/B 1966?
Lebanon AF Hunter ?
USAF B-52H 1960
Spainish AF SF-5B late 1960s
Israeli AF TA-4H/J ?

Any more?

[Easyrider5258]

Lifted from Wikki to save typing!

The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту–95 NATO reporting name: Bear) is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1956 and is expected to serve the Russian Air Force until at least 2040! Potential 88 years service ! amazing






.

[pistonrob]

The BBMF Photo recon Spitfires have a wartime role, although a bit limited lol

[Fedaykin]

Lifted from Wikki to save typing!

The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту–95 NATO reporting name: Bear) is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1956 and is expected to serve the Russian Air Force until at least 2040! Potential 88 years service ! amazing






.

Only if you count the date the platform came into service not airframe life. The variant currently in service is the Tu-95MS which was built from the 1980's into the 90's making them some of the youngest strategic bombers currently in service. So it isn't a potential 88 years at all. I believe new engines and propellers are being built for them or being considered, for its cruise missile launch platform work it is perfect.

[Fedaykin]

If we don't count historic flights or trials work then the C-47 is probably the oldest in service combat type. My favourite being the AC-47 Fantasma of the Columbian air force:

[Easyrider5258]

Only if you count the date the platform came into service not airframe life. The variant currently in service is the Tu-95MS which was built from the 1980's into the 90's making them some of the youngest strategic bombers currently in service. So it isn't a potential 88 years at all. I believe new engines and propellers are being built for them or being considered, for its cruise missile launch platform work it is perfect.

Its good enough for me that whatever variant is in service now, the type has been around since 1952 and is expected (Like the B52 by the way) to remain in service up to 2040, 88 years is amazing for one design to remain useful




.

[Fedaykin]

I prefer being pedantic personally...

[Easyrider5258]

I prefer being pedantic personally...

I guessed that

[Careyvan208]

Thanks for the great pic of the AC-47.

[Freehand]

I would be willing to bet some of the KC-135's and B-52's in USAF service can be considered among the oldest aircraft in service. AKAIK, Bolivia no longer operates their T-33's. Those were retired in favor of the K-8/

[19kilo10]

Who ownes the aircraft in the BBMF?

[Fedaykin]

Who owns the BBMF aircraft?

Answer: The Tax Payers of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[kato]

This thread was already posted in 2008 (and a couple times before that).

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=81887

[Careyvan208]

Thanks, but I was looking for combat aircraft, not just in military service.

[viscount]

Diverging slightly from the original request in this thread, in current UK military service, would I be right in thinking that the oldest front line service machines would be with the RAF would be one of few remaining C-130K Hercules (XV177, circa 1967) still in service. With the FAA/Royal Navy the Sea King ASaC7 helicopters (XV649, circa 1969). Note I state 'front line' to rule out BBMF or the recently withdrawn ETPS Andover etc.

Presumably though the oldest aircraft in RAF front-line service will very soon be the Boeing RC-135W's (1964) once delivered.
Yes, the oldest airframes, will be the newest aircraft type in RAF service very soon!!! If they had been bought new they would have serials in the mid XS... range - yes, around the TSR-2s, HS Kestral FGA.1, Dominie T.1s and Andover C.1s, along with late production Lightning F.6s and Sea Vixen FAW.2s. What a mixed up world!

[LowObservable]

The AC-47 has to take it since the last C-47s were built in 1945. Hon mention to RB-57F, only operational jet (non-trainer) to have originated in a WW2 requirement.

[Gerard]

I was thinking of the Hunters still in service in Lebanon.

[Tango III]

[Tango III]

What about B-52H the only variant still operational.The last production aircraft from 1962, or Mig-21,19 and 17 still flight in some country?.

[Sign]

2 Saab J32B Lansen build 1958-1960 vere upgraded to J32J in SweAF and still fly (air measurements)

[Careyvan208]

As for the Bolivian T-33 I belive they are still in service. There was an article in "Combat Aircraft' a few mouths ago. As far a WWII requirement the P-80 was designed in 1943 and flew in 1944. The original designation for the T-33A was TF-80C and was changed for political/budgetary reasons.

What about the S-2 Tracker? First flight 1952.

[roberto_yeager]

Spain has the oldest Sea King still flying.

1Saludo

[Gerard]

As for the Bolivian T-33 I belive they are still in service. There was an article in "Combat Aircraft' a few mouths ago. As far a WWII requirement the P-80 was designed in 1943 and flew in 1944. The original designation for the T-33A was TF-80C and was changed for political/budgetary reasons.

What about the S-2 Tracker? First flight 1952.

indeed! And don't forget the C-1 Trader. (Now called KC-2 Turbo Trader)

[charliehunt]

Interesting thread and the more so because all of the types mentioned will also have featured in the Historic forum!

[killerbean]

Arent RSA Cheetah's still flying for some country?

[roberto_yeager]

Arent RSA Cheetah's still flying for some country?

Ecuador.

But it´s said that they are new kfir celulas.

Older are the South African DC-3T for MPA

1Saludo

[wilhelm]

Ecuador.

But it´s said that they are new kfir celulas.

Older are the South African DC-3T for MPA

1Saludo

The Cheetah C airframes are not that old. There are probably F-16's flying that are older than the airframes for the Cheetah C.

The DC-3/C-47 Turboprops used in the maritime patrol role were built in the mid 1940's, making them about 70 years old.

I suppose it depends on what you would define as a combat aircraft.

[19kilo10]

Is the Hawker Hurricane a combat aircraft?

[Bomberboy]

Is the Hawker Hurricane a combat aircraft?

Are you serious.........Er yeah, it is very much a combat aircraft!!!!

[19kilo10]

Looks like Spitfire IIc p7350 is the oldest "combat aircraft" in service. In service 1940, fought in the Battle of Britain.