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.

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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. 

At dawn on 18 March 1910, escapologist Harry Houdini became the first person to fly an aeroplane in Australia (like many aspects of Australian aviation history, this is the subject of fierce debate, and some claim that it was actually Colin Defries or Fred Custance). Earlier, in 1856, one M Pierre Maigre had attempted to demonstrate a hot air balloon in front of a crowd of 6,000, who had paid to watch ‘the first flight in Australia’. The balloon failed to take-off, and many of the onlookers rioted. In the ensuing chaos, somebody knocked Maigre’s hat off, and fearing for his life, he ran from the site, chased by an angry mob of thousands (he found refuge in a government building). Meanwhile, the crowd set fire to the balloon and “created a bonfire from the tent and seats”.

The first flight by a truly Australian aeroplane took place in 1910, piloted by John Duigan. Since then, Australia has built a variety of fascinating planes, let’s have a look at the ten best-looking…

10. Government Aircraft Factories Nomad

9. Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang

8. Genairco Biplane

7. Genairco Seaplane

6. Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera

5. Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-16 Wirraway

4. Silver Centenary

3. Victa R2

2. Tugan Aircraft LJW.7 Gannet

1. Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-15 ‘Kangaroo’

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