As an honorable menton I woul like to add an oddity: Martin Mars, which had extended lifespan in firefighting role close to these days. No many built, a rare, beautiful beast.

Excellent video! Let me add another honourable mention, the Canadair CT-114 Tudor jet trainer. Its first flight was January, 1960 and it’s still in RCAF service with 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the famous ‘Snowbirds’. 62 years and no replacement in sight. Fabulous videos, Mike. Thank you.

Having worked on B-52G & H models and KC/EC-135's in the '70's during my USAF service at Ellsworth AFB, still not surprised that these aircraft are still flying today, says something for Boeing's airframes. Gotta love water injection too! Would love to see the B-52 get re-engined with modern hardware. We always said the "Buff" was a big clunker 45+ years ago, but look at it now! KC/EC-135A's using the J57 engine were probably one of the loudest aircraft I ever heard when in water for takeoff, the exhaust noise actually crackled due to the sheer noise emitted from those engines! I also worked on those aircraft, and can also see how Boeing did a wonderful job with airframe design.....these and the Buffs were built like tanks. KC/EC E's were a big improvement with the TF33 engine, no water injection to worry about. The DC3 does take the cake for longevity for sure, another darn good airframe there! Thanks for a cool video, brings back many memories of my jet engine mechanic days in the USAF.......always fun throttle rigging on 8 throttles with the B-52!

This reminds of a conversation I had at NAS Pensacola when I was in "A" school in 2002. I was talking bomber and attack aircraft with an Air Force airman who commented the Navy's A-6 Intruder needed to be retired because the design was "too old." I then reminded him the Air Force was still flying even older B-52s.

Hi Mike, this video features airplanes near and dear to my 80 year old heart. Raised by an AF Master Sergeant, I was around all of these planes when they were first operational. When Dad was stationed at Westover AFB, Mass. I was lucky enough to have watched and listened to the changeover from B-36s to B-52s, first air show flights of F-104s, and the KC-135 replacing the KC-97. At that time, as an Explorer Scout, I was fortunate to go up in a C-47 and spent about 20 minutes in the right seat. Later, I served in the AF as a crewman on C-130s. Also was taken for a ride in a J-3 Cub when in grade school. My years as an Air Force brat spanned from 1947 thru 1960, then in the AF for another 4 years. I feel so blessed to have been an eyewitness to that incredible period in aviation history. Thanks for bringing some wonderful memories back. Love your channel. All the best.

Thrilled to see a live event with this channel. Tremendous work on the Century Jets videos. Appreciate all the great content.

I love the picture of you with the Piper. It gave me flashbacks of my father yelling at me to put the tail of his Champ back down on the ground. lol

Honorable mention must go out to the Beech 18. It could be in service 100 years after its first flight in turboprop form. The Beech 18 maybe the only plane that flew before WWII and had the longest postwar production run, until 1969!

Can’t argue with the C-130 and B-52, both in (very) active service and can’t dispute the first flight dates, they are indeed legends. I’d have to agree with the TU-95 as well. The shots of nearly every generation of US jet fighter flying next to the same Bear is pretty telling.

Mike, having been involved with aviation (as a passion) for over 50 years, I must say I'm thoroughly impressed with your comprehensive knowledge of each of your many videos I've watched so far. So many people "pose" as aviation experts but I find factual flaws and other mistakes, some more than others. You sir, are "the real deal"! Kudos to you and thanks for your thorough, informative videos!

A great video of tireless aircraft. And as always a selection of photos and artwork. Great work.

Thanks Mike. Great topic. Other than being wonderfully presented, it dawned on me that what I like most about your channel is that it is not hyper focused on aircraft like the F-35, etc. The older aircraft, especially those that are still going strong, make those of us who are a tad bit older continue to feel our youth! 👍

It's amazing to think that not very long ago they couldn't fly over mountains at night with those tri-motor aircraft, and because of the DC-3 the 3 day trip from NY to LA was cut to a "convenient" 1.5 day trip. - And in just a couple decades from now, someone like me will be amazed that it today it took us 6 hours to fly from NY to LA, because they'll be flying coast to coast in 30 minutes with Mach 5 airliners. I love this channel. Glad I found it.

I’m glad you mentioned the T-38 as you did. I was station at Williams Air Force Base between 1976 and 1980 and loved watching those planes and thought they were beautiful as well. Thanks

Great video! It is so cool that the 52's are still flying! I always liked seeing them fly over. The only time I could get to do so, was when I was visiting Wright Patterson AFB -- I went there several times to visit and also had the opportunity to compete in a free flight model AMA event there many years ago. If I lived closer I would be there all the time! lol!

Thanks for another great video on aviation history, Mike! During my time at Tyndall AFB, Fl. in the late 1970s, I worked avionics on the venerable T-33A, in addition to the F-101B/F Voodoo and F-106A/B Delta Dart. My last couple years there was strictly on the T-bird, and some transients including the B-57 Canberra. Like being a mechanic trained on Corvettes going to work on VW Bugs.

Mike, another great watch. I worked at a local "company" in a R&D lab, and every so often we would get a "part" that needed rebuilding that came from a, "I think," a KC-135. The housing of the unit had a date of 1957, amazing how if something if made right the first time it can be rebuilt and used over and over. Thanks for your time and work in making your videos......

I live near McConnell AFB in Wichita KS, seeing KC-135s is practically a daily occurrence. It never fails to make me chuckle when I remember that the newest one I may see was built in 1962

What a wonderful video. Great subject as always. Yep, the DC3 is definitely a keeper. One of my favorites! I was in the VA just this week getting my glasses replaced and had the honor to speak with a gentleman who worked on the B52 and KC135 while serving in the Air Force. Love the channel and so glad you are posting more often again! As always God bless you and yours and thanks again for all you do! Take care always! 👍🇺🇸

Arms reduction agreement with the Soviets resulted in USAF destroying many of our B-52's.Photos of that destruction broke my heart!

Thanks Mike for another stellar upload ....

Thank you for another fascinating and informative video. So many memories, nice to see so many that are still in service.

Another video jam packed with interesting info., and great photos. The clarity and vivid colors are stunning. I'll stop now I wouldn't want you to get a big head, ha ha.

Incredible video. So much history condensed down and presented so well. Thank You!!!!!!

Great content, for a GA pilot, can't beat the stick and rudder of the timeless J-3, love it. Soloed in a C150, got chance to type in the Cub with my uncle and I fell in love with it. 👍

Thank you Mike for another fascinating video illustrated with wonderful pictures.

Great video! Retired Air Force with most of my career and favorable moments spent as a Crew Chief on the KC-135. Not to take anything away from the amazing BUFF but what a lot of people don't realize is that even though the B-52 started being produced before the KC-135 the KC-135 actually has older airframes that are still flying. B-52s that are currently flying are 1960 and 1961 airframes. However, there are still a lot of 1957, 58, 59 and up KC-135s that are getting it done every single day. NKAWTG Nobody! Keep up the good work I enjoy your videos.

I worked in KC-135 engineering for 20 years and in my opinion it's the best refuelling aircraft in the world bar none. Mark my words - when the KC-46 is sitting in Davis-Monthan, the -135 will still be refuelling aircraft. I think it will be the first USAF aircraft to achieve 100 years of continuous service. A Great Aircraft!

Also- If you recall the tv cartoon The Mighty Hercules- You could describe the aircraft namesake by the lyrics you hear with this production. "People feel safe when near him- Only the evil fear him.... virtue in his heart, fire in every part of The Mighty Hercules" :)

Love your channel, as a kid, i had the exact same fascination.......the drawings on those boxes....wings.....engines.....thank you for your effort

Great video as always . I Learned so Much today ! Love to Hear stories by those who made them ! Thank you Mr Machat !

Thanks for another great episode…

You do a wonderful job and you're speaking style and presentation can be listened to for hours. Plus it's about Aircraft !

I just watched this, another of your fantastic videos, and I must say, I feel like a kid in a candy store. Marvelous eye candy and I don’t know what plane to like best.

Hi Mike, I believe the Royal Australian Air Force operated the General Dynamics F111 for 50 years. I remember as a kid the controversial purchase of the aircraft at US$25 million each. We purchased 24 F111’s . We operated them in VietNam. They were finally retired in about 2017. They were kept airworthy with spare parts found in the Mohave desert aircraft boneyard. Thanks for the great videos.

I like the shadow @11:53 @14:12 is nice, too @18:28 excellent shot of the failed KCB-13552 tanker/bomber project Thanks again, Mr. Machat ! 121 thumbs up ! PEACE

What an interesting and educational video, Mike! There is one DC-3 flying out of LGB the last time I checked... and the photo of you in the cockpit with your trusty Canon of that time makes me smile.

Another great video! The C-130 was obvious to me, but I hadn't really thought about the U-2. Personally, I'd nominate the A-4 Skyhawk, mostly 'cause I used to work on them! They are still used by Argentina, I think, and are used for private aggressor services. Like many of the aircraft you selected, the original design was nearly perfect and needed only minor updates over the decades.

Really enjoyed that Mike, thanks! I have some of the Wings mags from the 90's, can't part with them it seems.

Great video. Thanks. Here's another one for you. Grumman Goose. First flew in 1937. Only a couple dozen still flying and mostly private aircraft but there are 3 still operating a scheduled commercial service on the central west coast of Canada.

The B52. The plane your great grandfather could have flown?

Hey Mike! Awhile back, when you were out of pocket for a moment, I commented to Maxs Models about where you'd gone and Max told me you had a museum gig of some sort?. I vaguely remember that, yet never heard the story. Glad to have you back here. Stay sharp!

Another great one...BUT....this makes me feel OLD!....wait while I strap into my rocking chair ejection seat.

Another great video. Thanks!

Another great and informative video, I am so lucky to be subscribed to your channel. I keep going back and rewatching your previous videos for the amazing information,insight and experiences

Fantastic video Mike. Great group of aircraft shown. When I was in the Air Force in the 1970s, the B-52s and KC-135s were very loud and smoked like mad on takeoff. Much quieter today. All five of the pre 1960 USAF aircraft are legends. Excellent job putting this together.

Really great history Mike, thanks.

Fantastic video and impressive bio! The DC-3 is a dream. Pity they are slowly becoming museum pieces. Hopefully I'll be able to fly in one some day. The An-2 is used regularly to this day. I have seen a couple in operation and that 4 bladed prop upfront is huge!

"Nobody kicks ass without tanker gas" Great video.

another great one Mike, livestream tonight

Thanks Mike. Another great presentation. And a real nostalgia trip for us Baby Boomers.

Fine vid . Thanks!

Great video

S-3 Viking seemed to have a short life. I was a subscriber to Wings and Airpower magizine I forgot about them until you mentioned them, I also bought Air Classics, Air Progress and even the Pacific Flyer newspaper

Great! Thanks

Fun video. Informative. I like your conversational style. If not for the DC3 mostt of those other, mighty planes would have never existed.

UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra. Highly modified variants still flying today.

I must say, your videos are uniformly excellent, and never disappoint. This one is among your very best. I'm old enough to remember when the B-52s first flew, and to me, a little boy, seemed exactly what we needed to scare the crap out of the Russians and their clunky old prop planes. Thanks a million for your fine work!

Advanced engineering and manufacturing these days gives us some marvelous machines, but the new kids don't seem to have the longevity of these senior citizens. I know business lives on obsolescence and replacement parts, and this likely influences the designed self-life of newer equipment. How many young pilots in 2082 will talk fondly about flying their vintage F-22?

When I was a kid my Uncle Bill used to get me the color prints at the airport put out. I wish I had them now but they all got damaged from water in the storage building of my dad's. My Uncle Bill was the senior enlisted man and all of the Air Force when he finally retired. I think he had like 35 years in service.

I must be old, flew 3 of the 5 in my USAF career.

The U-2 is a bit of an oddball on the list given that the U-2R based airframes flying today didn't have as much in common with the A/C airframes other than general layout. But it is a credit to the design that the Air Force authorized production of new airframes in the early 80s to produce the TR-1s. Concerning the C-135s, there is a case to be made that the RC-135s might outlive the B-52. The boys at Big Safari keep coming back to these C-135 airframes because of how they were built and how easy they are to poke holes in to mount antennas. Open up a 135 and it looks like a Guillows balsa kit with lots of airframe stringers. That structure handles most of the airframe stress while in more modern airliners, the skin is more of a load bearing structure. This is the primary reason why later airframes such as the 757, 767 or 777 haven't formed the basis for an RC airframe. L3 industries in Grapevine, TX does almost the equivalent of remanufacturing the RC-135s when ever they get a bird in for upgrades. That's how important these planes are. To me though, it is also fascinating to know that by the end of this decade, the Air Force will have two or three fighter aircraft designs that are 50 years old. The earliest F-15 airframes will be ticking over sooner than we think with the first flight of the Eagle taking place in 1974.

These great "oldies" will soldier on for another decade or two. They were solidly built to perform their function, and they still do the job well. Nothing wrong with keeping the airframe and updating the engines to prolong their usefulness. As for the B52, I remember seeing the old joke about joining the air force. "Join the U.S. Airforce and fly the same plane your grandfather did". Thank you Mr. Machat for another interesting and entertaining lesson about aviation.

One additional mission besides fire bomber for the C-130 is the hurricane hunters. They flew out of Keesler AFB while I was in school there. First time I ever saw and airplane back up on the ramp

My BiL flew 3 of these. Started with C-130, then transitioned to the U-2. U-2 pilots also fly T-38’s to keep up flight hours.

Need to give a shout or do a special on the 1964 ruddderless B52 that Landed at Blytheville AFB. My Dad was station there there when it landed . Love yoye your channel

Thought I recognized buildings 12 and 13 Long Beach. There in the eighties airframe assembly MD - 80.

Hi Mike, great show. I don't know if I've told you this sea story before, but it's Gooney Bird-related. This is a true story, no sh!t*: In OCT 1977 I was selected to go along on a VMA-513 Carrier Qualification, as the troubleshooter for Avionics. Orders were cut to deploy to USS Guam LPH-9, but we were received by the LPH-10, Tripoli, instead. I was ''short'' [less than 90 days to RELAD thus ineligible to deploy] but I kept my mouth shut, as it looked like a good adventure. We departed on a Marine C-117 from MCAS Yuma to NAS North Island [San Diego, Calif.] Four officers, all Harrier pilots, and four enlisted technicians, all corporals, plus an embark desk [field desk] and a heavy steel box with spares for the Powerplants section. The pilots were to function as the LSO, LSO trainee, and spare AV8A pilots. We ''snuffies'' sat in the rear. The pilots sat forward, and any who were interested, took turns getting stick time on the Gooney Bird. I settled back into a comfy green vinyl -upholstered easy chair -- probably once some general's seat -- and enjoyed the ride. We cruised at about 8,000', I'm guessing. I took note of the big, obviously supercharged radials. A lot bigger than the engines on my 1/72 C-47, I'd built as a kid. Tail was also tall and squarish. Landing in North Beach, we unloaded the [R4D] C-117 into a grey Navy station wagon, and went down to the boat, which was moored at Municipal Pier for a good will open house on Columbus Day. The LPH was having a new powerplant installed, and got underway 48 hours behind schedule. I was asked to volunteer to help in the evolution below, but I figured I would be of more help out of their way, since I knew nothing of Naval Engineering. [Also against my Religion, as a Corporal, to ever volunteer, at lest voluntarily.] My first morning on board, I got yelled at by a Navy Chief for taking a ''Hollywood shower'' -- letting the hot water run. A proper Navy shower is sparser -- one turns on the water to get wet, and shuts the valve, then lathers up, and turns it back on for a quick rinse-off. Since I was the senior corporal, due to time in grade, I was the designated NCOIC of the CARQUAL detail, and berthed in the Visiting Chiefs' quarters. There was about 17'' between racks. Inexperience is no excuse for lack of sea-lore in a Navy craft. I was able to go ashore for liberty, since I had a [former] Marine buddy, who'd married and settled in the SD area. There was a briefing with the 4 enlisted Marines and the Airedale Sailors, who were unfamiliar with the AV8A. Four Harriers came over, after we had departed Dago and were southwest-bound into the Pacific. They shot some touch-and-goes, as well as hovers onto a spot on the deck, mimicking Helos , as well as full stop landings. These birds had no tailhooks, but didn't need to catch a trap to land. Full deck length, full throttle take-offs, [simulating take off with full ordnance package] lit up the twilight sky. We were shuffled into a waiting CH-46, and lifted off for San Diego. The helo landed at North Island after a short hop, just 50 yards abaft the C-117 that was there waiting for us on the ramp. We had to get that embark desk and parts box back on, but were soon in the air, and eastbound for Yuma. We were back before Evening Chow. * Mandatory beginning to all sea stories, just like ''Once Upon a Time'' for fairy tales.

Hello great presentation saludos

Two other US military aircraft that had short service lives were the B-36, which first entered service in 1948, and the last one left Air Force service in 1956, and the B-58 Hustler which entered service in 1960, and left service in 1970.

My nomination would be the Beechcraft Bonanza. It is still in production after 75 years.

MCAS Iwakuni, Japan had C-117 into the early 1980s(your video says 1976). When I was deployed there in 1981, I was on an R&R flight to Osan AFB, Korea in one this aircraft. In 1983, the Marine Corps phased them out. They were used for crash crew fire fighting training on the base rather returning to the States.

The South African Air force still has the DC3 operating. When we were conscripts we used to call them "vomit comet" of "Flossie". You were lucky if you could go on "pass" (furlough) from the border to South Africa in one of these, as you save a lot of travel time if you don't go by rail.

Hi, very much enjoy your excellent series, growing up in the 1950s and 1960s much of the content really boils my kettle ! The photos are particularly good and the whole series is very well written and put together in my opinion. As regards the aircraft longevity episode, one small criticism of I may, the steam locomotive shown is a Mexican railway locomotive, not entirely inappropriate but an American railroad might have been better. This takes nitpicking and rivet counting to a new level but it's the only criticism I can find !! I really look forward to each episode, particularly the ones covering Edwards and 50s military aviation Best regards and stay safe John

The P-3 was not a modified L188 Electra but a new model. It did use some Electra components and drawings but it was its own model. (L185 for the lightweight P-3 and L285 for heavyweight P-3).

I saw a picture of an old man, a late middle aged man and a young man in the cockpit of a B-52. The men were 3 generations Grandfather, father and son all B-52 pilots.

I knew 3 out of 5 but I was surprised by the T-38. The B-52 is the same age as I am and will most likely outlive me.

I remember proposals for re-engining the B-52 going back to the early 1990s.

The KC-135 is now on its third different type of jet engines and although they have evolved in terms of power and fuel efficiency the newest variety certainly seem to be alot heavier which must put more stress on the wings and airframe to carry them.

There are so many of those various aircraft down at AMARC

My father had a Piper J-3. Was my first flight. I retired from the USN with over 4000 hours in P-3s.

There is a little comparison that I think is very impressive. The F-15 is still a front line fighter 49 years after its first flight. Comparing this longevity to an earlier fighter plane, the Sopwith Camel, that first flew in 1916, if the Camel had been a front line fighter for as long as the F-15 it would haver been flying around the sky over North Vietnam taking on MiGs with the F-4s in 1965. And considering that the F-15 will likely remain a front line fighter for quite some time it will likely compare to a Sopwith Camel flying with the F-15 itself when it was introduced in 1972. It would seem that fighter development has really slowed down in the last 50 years. I mean, we went from the Sopwith Camel to the Spitfire and P-51 in 20 and 24 years. From the P-51 to the F-100 in in 13 years and from the F-100 to the F-15 in 19 years. It seems things just kind of stopped for a while after the F-15, F-16, and F-18. The F-19 was imaginary and the F-20 was really just another model of the F-5. That may be an interesting topic to make a video about. What happened with fighter development from the mid 70's through the end of the century.

Wasn't it LeMay that wanted side-by-side seating and not the tandam arrangement with the B-52? I'm curious whether there was any actual aerodynamic advantage or any advantage for that matter with the tandem version besides say, better visibility. Thanks Mike, great essay as usual.

Hi Mike! -I've been following you for years, starting with your drawings in the Wings and Airpower magazines; but I think you might have forgotten about the Martin B-57 Canberra. (a licence built version of the British English Electric Canberra) It entered service with the US, Airforce in 1953, was retired by them from active service in 1983, but still flies on today as the WB-57.

Maybe a different class of airplane but I would add the Dehavilland Beaver and Twin Otter. Beaver’s first flight was 1947, Twin Otter was 65. These bush planes are still used around the world and are valued for their extreme performance in harsh conditions and reliability. A test pilot I knew of crashed his own Beaver on landing with floats and wheels deployed. He wasn’t hurt too badly and the plant rebuilt the plane from its bits and pieces to fly again.

And the BT-67s are being used by a couple three militaries around the world including South Africa. So it is going to be the first military aircraft to hit 100 years of service.

I do not know how good a business this idea may be, but what a heck! You could digitize your Aviation magazines (pdf !?) and sell their copies indidually or in blocks. I would pay ~$120 for the 60 issues. (OK! I am cheap, but also a retired College professor living with $500 monthly in Argentina). The effor may be crowdfunded in Patreon or the like service, and downliaded to the patrons accordind to yheir contributions. I love old American Air & Space magazines from decades past! Even the ads are pretty charming.

General Curtis LeMay , commander in chief of SAC, was who ordered the cockpit change

WHAT ABOUT THE BEAVER

The problems using KC-97s to refuel jets are often talked about. Don’t know how accurate but my dad was a B-47 pilot and told of both planes having to be in a coordinated shallow dive while refueling as the B-47 gained weight - and by the time it was over at lower altitude the B-47 used a fair amount of that fuel climbing back up.

Martin-Baker Ejector Seats have to ex-RAF Gloster Meteor Trainers built in 1948 as testbeds . They must hold the record for the oldest jet fighters still in operational use.

Mr. Machat what happened to the Airpower/Wings series? I loved those magazines. Why were they discontinued?

now i have an idea for April fools video

Of course the UH-1

I would have added the Nimrod to that list as well.

Kelly Johnson from Lockheed, took one look at the C-130 and said "Ill be surprised if we sell more than 2 of them".... and thats the rest of the story

Mike the DC 3 used Wright radials before the Pratt 1830- was this because the Pratt wasn't yet in production in the mid 1930s??

8:20 - Not a Basler, the cowlings aren't right. It's probably a Greenwich Aircraft Corp DC-3-TP.

Why did you missed out the Vickers Viscount as a DC-3 replacement?

Saab sk 60 a jet trainer -which sweden stored and use 60 of them...