Everyone is fixated on VSTOL, but before that came into vogue, STOL was all the rage. The Brits popularized the concept but STOL has been around since the beginning of aviation. These are my picks for the best STOL attack aircraft since WW2. No particular order.
Sidenote: This list only includes airplanes that have demonstrated true STOL capability without assistance from ground equipment.
SAAB Viggen.
Some would classify this airplane as the best of its type during its time in service. A true multi-role airplane before it became fashionable, this fighter was used in the Maritime Attack, Close Air Support, Fighter Offense/Defense and Recon missions. Truly ahead of its time.
OV-10 Bronco.
Small field specialist, this tough airplane continues to find fans even today.
Sepecat Jaguar.
Tough, fast and a low level specialist. The Brits have yet to find a true replacement for this attacker.
IA-58 Pucara.
The Argentinians never got the best out of this airplane during the Falklands Conflict.
A-1 Sky Raider.
Nuff said.
OV-1 Mohawk.
This is an unknown to many people but I've read that the US Army used it to good effect in Vietnam. This plane is another victim of Key West. It never was developed to its full potential due to that and its another example of why that "agreement" needs to go away.
Harrier.
The Harrier in its original form. Its much different now. The original airplane in the form of the Sea Harrier approached Mach 1 in speed and if the design remained static, but improved engines installed then this well could have been the first supersonic STOVL airplane. The redesign with the Harrier II is telling and shows how different Marine Aviation is today from where it once was. During this time the Marine Corps insisted on turning the AV-8B into a bomb truck. The Brits wanted higher speed and the wing was a major source of contention.
More to come.
Maybe.
Sidenote: This list only includes airplanes that have demonstrated true STOL capability without assistance from ground equipment.
SAAB Viggen.
Some would classify this airplane as the best of its type during its time in service. A true multi-role airplane before it became fashionable, this fighter was used in the Maritime Attack, Close Air Support, Fighter Offense/Defense and Recon missions. Truly ahead of its time.
OV-10 Bronco.
Small field specialist, this tough airplane continues to find fans even today.
Sepecat Jaguar.
Tough, fast and a low level specialist. The Brits have yet to find a true replacement for this attacker.
IA-58 Pucara.
The Argentinians never got the best out of this airplane during the Falklands Conflict.
A-1 Sky Raider.
Nuff said.
OV-1 Mohawk.
This is an unknown to many people but I've read that the US Army used it to good effect in Vietnam. This plane is another victim of Key West. It never was developed to its full potential due to that and its another example of why that "agreement" needs to go away.
Harrier.
The Harrier in its original form. Its much different now. The original airplane in the form of the Sea Harrier approached Mach 1 in speed and if the design remained static, but improved engines installed then this well could have been the first supersonic STOVL airplane. The redesign with the Harrier II is telling and shows how different Marine Aviation is today from where it once was. During this time the Marine Corps insisted on turning the AV-8B into a bomb truck. The Brits wanted higher speed and the wing was a major source of contention.
More to come.
Maybe.
