jet fighters and attack aircraft

Armstrong-Whitworth Seahawk, Royal Navy

One of the first operational naval jet fighters, the Seahawk proved to be a reliable and potent aircraft.

Dassault-Bréguet Mirage M5 BR, BR 24 of the Belgian Air Force's No.42 'Mephisto' Squadron, streaming its braking chute (top) and showing its tail feathers (bottom).

English Electric Lightning F.2 XN783, RAF

(photo by unknown photographer - Aviation Buffs archives)

FMA I.A.63 Pucara, Argentine Air Force

One of the aircraft captured by the British during the Falkland war, this machine is part of the Imperial War Museum collection at Duxford, UK. Rather odd-looking, this Turbomeca Astazou turboprop powered twin-engined twoseater is a very potent ground attack aircraft.

Saab AJ.37 Viggen

The Viggen, now being superseded by the JAS.39 Gripen, was one of the true great achievements of this Swedish constructor. Being a neutral country, Sweden has never had much possibilities of selling aircraft abroad. The Viggen certainly deserved better, combining impressive performance with rough field capability, two features seldom found together in one aircraft. Its unique cranked delta wing coupled to a large foreplane make it readily recognisable in the air.

(Saab photograph - The Aviation Buffs archive)

Sepecat Jaguar, RAF, during a wet take off

The Jaguar was a joint development between BAC (later British Aerospace) in the UK and Dassault-Bréguet in France to suit the needs of both the RAF and the Armée de l'Air for a low level strike fighter. The resultant aircraft proved to be very succesful and is currently going through an update programme to keep it in the forefront of the world's potent aircraft.

Sud-Ouest SO.4050 Vautour II N, French air force

This impressive twin-engined aircraft existed in single-seat fighter, two-seat bomber and two-seat night fighter versions. One of its most notable features on the ground was its tandem undercarriage, with small auxiliary wheels coming out of the engine nacelles giving lateral balance.

(photographer unknown - The Aviation Buffs archive)

Sukhoi Su-27, one of the USSR's last great fighter aircraft before the split-up of the Soviet Republic

(picture provided by aviation journalist Kris Van der Plas)