Of the many aeroplanes Japan has produced, few are ugly. This is at least partly due to the importance placed on aesthetics in this nation. As well as attractive airframes, Japanese aircraft have longed received the most magnificent colour schemes. I hope you enjoy our tribute to the beautiful aircraft of Japan.

10. Mitsubishi T-2

9. Kawasaki Ki-61

8. Nakajima Ki-44

7. Fuji T-1

6. Aichi M6A

5. Yokosuka P1Y

4. Mitsubishi Ki-57

3. Mitsubishi A6M

 

2. Kawasaki Ki-100

1. Mitsubishi Ki-46

 The judges were: Hush-Kit’s Joe Coles, Combat Aircraft‘s Thomas Newdick, the RAF Review‘s Paul Eden, The Aviation Historian‘s Nick Stroud and the artist Ed Ward.  If you enjoyed this, have  a look at the top ten British, French, Swedish, Australian,  Soviet and German aeroplanes. Wanting Something a little more exotic- try the top ten fictional aircraft.

Follow my vapour trail on Twitter: @Hush_kit

 

When Khrushchev met Nixon in 1959, he was typically belligerent. He told the future American president “Soon we will equal the US, and when we pass you, we will wave bye-bye.” The USSR pursued technological advancement with incredible tenacity, and one of the most visible displays of its technical achievements was its aerospace industry. From the brutally accelerated industrial revolution to the record-breaking flights of the Cold War, the Soviet Union built an enormous number of spectacular aeroplanes. Often the most agile, fastest or biggest, they were also among the toughest and cheapest, here’s a tribute to some of the engineering marvels of a dead Empire.

Or you can jump to see the top ten American aircraft here:

10. Tsybin RSR

9. Antonov An-225

8. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3

7. Myasishchev M-50 

6. Tupolev Tu-22

5. Beriev 200

4. Tupolev Tu-114

3. Sukhoi ‘Flanker’-series

2. Tupolev Tu-160

1. Polikarpov I-17

The judges were: Hush-Kit’s Joe Coles, Combat Aircraft‘s Thomas Newdick, the RAF Review‘s Paul Eden, The Aviation Historian’s Nick Stroud and the artist Ed Ward.  If you enjoyed this, have  a look at the top ten British, French, Swedish, Australian,  Japanese and German aeroplanes.

Want to see more stories like this: Follow my vapour trail on Twitter: @Hush_kit

Help us bring you unusual article about aircraft by donating here, the more we get the more we can give you. Many thanks dear reader! 

Have a look at 10 worst British military aircraft, Su-35 versus Typhoon, 10 Best fighters of World War II , top WVR and BVR fighters of today, an interview with a Super Hornet pilot and a Pacifist’s Guide to Warplanes. Was the Spitfire overrated? Want something more bizarre? The Top Ten fictional aircraft is a fascinating read, as is The Strange Story and The Planet Satellite. The Fashion Versus Aircraft Camo is also a real cracker. Those interested in the Cold Way should read A pilot’s guide to flying and fighting in the Lightning. Those feeling less belligerent may enjoy A pilot’s farewell to the Airbus A340. Looking for something more humorous? Have a look at this F-35 satire and ‘Werner Herzog’s Guide to pusher bi-planes or the Ten most boring aircraft. In the mood for something more offensive? Try the NSFW 10 best looking American airplanes, or the same but for Canadians.