10 Incredible Oldest Aircraft Still in Use - #5 Is Unbelievable!

For a country with a $886 billion dollar defense budget, the United States still uses a sizable amount of old gear. Some of the antiquated equipment is around because it works really, really well, and there hasn't come along anything better to replace it with. In other cases, attempts to replace the equipment have floundered, usually due to reasons related to complexity or cost.
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Discover the top 10 oldest American aircraft still in use today. From vintage planes to historic warbirds, these aircraft have stood the test of time.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Top 10 Oldest American Aircraft Still in Use
00:41 10. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
01:41 9. Grumman C-2 Greyhound
02:38 8. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
03:28 7. Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
04:39 6. Boeing CH-47 Chinook
05:42 5. Bell UH-1 Iroquois
07:00 4. Boeing KC-135
08:09 3. Lockheed C-130 Hercules
09:12 2. Lockheed U-2
10:13 1. Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
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Thanks

[@josephpacchetti5997]

If It Ain't broke, don't fix It. THX U.S.M & Sam. 👊 😎🇺🇸

[@USMilitary_News]

😎

[@seanscott]

i was going to say that, lmao. even if it aint broke, you can upgrade it. which is what we do to get the most out of aircraft lifespan. why spend huge amounts of money on R&D and prototypes for a new aircraft when you can just upgrade the airframe on a tried and true platform for a fraction of the cost? sure, sometimes instances require an all new aircraft like fighter jets as time goes on but some of these old dogs get new tricks

[@richardpare3538]

But we have a military upper brass who is more concerned that the suppliers make big $$$, instead of supplying the proven capabilities of the A-10 in support of our ground troops.

[@tommybury4421]

Holy cow the C-130 climb rate just after take off is insane

[@USMilitary_News]

😎

[@331SVTCobra]

Empty cargo and passenger planes have a thrust-to-weight ratio that makes them look like high-performance aircraft below 250 mph.

[@jonathanbair523]

Keep in mind, it was made to use fields and or roads as its foreword air fields.. I think her are she needs to land/take off in like 150 yards..I do love her for her go just about anywhere and land, also fly into any kind of storms including hurricanes as she is the air craft they use to collect weather data..

[@Dr_Reason]

Pontiac G8 at 9:45.

[@jim2lane]

Did anyone else notice that Bruce Willis and Tom Skerritt were photoshopped into the shot at 2:01 🤔

[@jdkgcp]

I was going to say the same thing lol

[@hanovergreen4091]

Well. Here's the thing. BOTH actors were in a movie called "Tears of The Sun". Willis was a SEAL and Skerrit Some Capt or something. AND, there is a scene on the deck of a carrier as Willis comes aboard from and op. Soooooo, it is quite likely they WERE in the plane and THAT is why the picture was chosen. I think so...

[@jim2lane]

@@hanovergreen4091 well that's certainly a possibility then. But IMHO if you look closely at Willis's pic it certainly looks photoshopped. Doesn't seem to quite fit under the helmet

[@hanovergreen4091]

@@jim2lane Out of answers then but it is concidental :). Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@lymz2003]

I missed tom skerritt, good eye!

[@dougadams9419]

C-130. I've been on those in the USAF in Japan back in the 1970s, and let me tell you they have the power to get off the runway in no time. From Yokota to Misawa and back again after my tour, they get airborne FAST! That steep climb off the runway is real.

[@1badhaircut]

Designed perfectly for their jobs.

[@Arty-rp3fm]

Some seriously amazing machines, so far ahead of their time when thought up and still irreplaceable.

[@sundragon7703]

From a certain point of view, some designs are perfection for the needs of the time (and that time could be decades).

[@danduffy7974]

At 0:27 there is a image of a B52 tail # 0002. That is a bird I spent a lot of time around back in 1973/74 at Kincheloe AFB in Michigan's upper peninsula .The base is long since gone but seeing this bird brought back a lot of good memories. We all called it BALLS 2

[@timf6916]

Cool, I flew in the OH-6 in RVN 69-71. LOVED IT

[@AdvancedUSA]

At 2 minutes there's a shot of a bunch of troops in the plane. Take a look at the guy on the left and tell me that he's not Bruce Willis.

[@darthnihilus511]

I totally love and appreciate a human narrator, thank you

[@jonathanbair523]

This should be a pinned comment...

[@navyhmc8302]

While having a lot of shared components, the UH-1Y Venom and the AH-1Z Viper ("Mega-Cobra") are not the same airframes/Helicopters. Not to mention that the UH-1A came out 8 years earlier in 1959 vs. AH-1A in 1967.

[@lhcboy]

The original engines on the B-52 were J-57 (Pratt and Whitney I think) and then it was reengined in the 70s or 80s with the TF-33. I am glad to hear that it is being reengined again. That was in the works but I had not heard of the final decision. As for the C-130, I briefly managed some of the parts and was amazed by how many different countries/entities used the aircraft. I kept waiting for an order from the Boy Scouts but never got it. Everyone seemed to have one and everyone was happy to have it. The aircraft mentioned here and others are great examples of "a job done right need never be done again." Great vid guys. Thanks

[@barryklinedinst6233]

Some designs can't be beat

[@ced_pro1]

the personal favorite in this list might be the c-130/ac-130 since it has been flying for a long time and (my opinion) they should keep it flying for a couple more years.

[@J.Cheetos]

I absolutely love what the Marines did with the new cobra design, it looks sick. And the new name viper goes with cobra and sounds cool as well.

[@williamprice3929]

T-38 Talon, CH-53 just to name a few.

[@csulb75]

I lived in Merced, Ca between 1977 & 1983.Our house was in the glide path of B-52s landing at Castle AFB near Atwater, Ca. They were and still are real screamers those B-52, but Castle AFB is no more..

[@Russia-bullies]

Some old stuff don’t die away.They just get upgraded.😁

[@nightwishlover8913]

Just like Trigger's broom...

[@billirvin9057]

I was a USAF C-130 crew member back in the 70's and 80's. It was and still is an amazing aircraft. I flew on "E" models as a airborne command and control aircraft and in "B" models that we used for catching de-orbited spy satellites. I sure do miss those days.

[@williampomplun6750]

My Dad Repaired B-52's at Barksdale AirForce Base in the 1960's and 70's during the Vietnam War. He also Crewchief the Huey's in his stint in the Army Reserve unit 4013th. He built Cobras at BELL Helicopter in Hurst, TX. Both single engine, and SuperCobra twin engines. He was in the AirForce Reserve after he left the 4013th Army Reserve unit, and was Crewchief on the A-10's at Barksdale AirForce Base. But while he was in the Dallas/FtWorth Metroplex he was with the Navy Reserve and Crewchief the F-14's at Navy Airstation Dallas, and worked for LTV VOIGHT aircraft manufacturing (THE B-ONE), B1B making the "POTTY CHAIR" that housed the RADAR in the nose. He also went to the NAVY AIRSTATION side and assisted in development of the YF-A7 where the A7 was split into and another extension section was added to allow more fuel and weapons. It was the HEAVIEST ORDINANCE CARRYING ATTACK AIRCRAFT to leave the deck of an AIRCRAFT CARRIER. He worked on the Commercial facility in Grand Prairie where as Subcontractor LTV built a Section of Boeing fuselage sections. When he went back to SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA, my Dad worked with Rockwell/Collins division putting Flares and Chaff in the AC-130 SPECTRE 👻, and taught at Southern University in the Department of AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE since he had his A&P LIENCES and INSPECTER CERTIFICATION. I'M 63 Y/O, MAN. I'M A TOOL and DIE MACHINIST. I WORKED FOR PRATT & WHITNEY for 16+ years repairing JT 8D, JT8-200, intermediate cases as a machinist. I also worked RollsRoyce RB211, GE, LYCOMING, CFM 56 ENGINES from CASES to AIRSEALS and TURBINE SUPPORTS. As with ALL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE FBO'S CREWS, "IT'S FEAST OR FAMINE!". It's the GYPSY in the BLOODLINE of an AIRCRAFT MECHANIC and MACHINIST to move where the jobs takes you! "OUR TOOLBOXES HAVE WHEELS FOR A PURPOSE! WILL TRAVEL!". P.S. My Dad went to a vocational high school in Buffalo, New York. Where he learned how to layout Dime/Quarter patches on old WOOD SPAR, and FABRIC airplanes that flew with open cockpit.

[@aj-2savage896]

C-2 Greyhound fun fact: Only an "A" version was ever produced; no Bs, Cs, etc. When they cycled them back through the factory, they came out as C-2A(R), "R" for Reprocured. Tough to think of any other US military aircraft that came in only the "A" version, especially one around for so damn long. Personally, I'd feel better riding in an old C-2 than a new V-22. Just hope your seat doesn't leave your toes right over the ramp hingeline. C-c-c-c-c-c-cold.

[@justinegorski2703]

We called them airborne Harley Davidsons on the Nimitz back in the 80s lol

[@dougburt2449]

Informative, well done.

[@randyerwin6016]

I've seen first hand what a Herc can do. Sat next to an Air Force Herc pilot on and R&R flight from Danang to Bangkok. That flight seemed to take only ten min as this Lt. raved about his C130 and crew.

[@michaelshortland8863]

WOW the B 52 is older than me!!!

[@rickbateman2401]

It’s amazing - most of the planes still in service that were designed in the 50’s and 60’s are variants of those designs built much later but the newest B52 airframe in service is about 62 years old.

[@eyeLikeCarrots]

2:01 is that Bruce Willis on the left of the screen sitting in a C2 Greyhound ?

[@Jhonsu18]

Great video! I really enjoyed the way you explained the concepts-very clear and easy to follow. ❤❤❤❤❤ Hu hu

[@myplane150]

Every aircraft in this video is awesome and still very useful. Considering all the upgrades and new frames built, most of the ones in operation can still be considered fairly new except of the B52, of course (less than 2 decades). The only not necessary one is the U2 now that we have such good satellite tech. It is being retired this year but kept in long term storage just in case. ☺

[@stingray69691]

Whenever the C-2 landed on the carrier they always used to say "Ms piggy is on the ball with mail!" you know spirits were high as mail was ready to be delivered!

[@davidthompson5460]

If "it works really, really well," it's not antiquated.

[@marko11kram]

I had to laugh at "The KC-35 is a versatile aircraft" It does one thing! - And it does it well

[@LanielPhoto]

It does MANY things and is versatile. Refueling fighters is not the same as acting as Air Ambulance is not the same as cargo transport is not the same as flying gun platform is not the same as launching paratroopers is not the same as....... get it ?

[@marko11kram]

@@LanielPhoto well said! Based on, I believe the Boeing 707, which is certainly a versatile platform. I mainly think of it in its Stratotanker role

[@billotto602]

OLDEST doesn’t mean USELESS ! Look at the Zumwalt class of ships. They halted production after only 3 were built & want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Meanwhile the Arleigh Burke class of destroyers are STILL being built 40+ years later because they WORK !

[@macmac19800]

What is the name of movie with actors in C-2 Greyhound?

[@kenkruger481]

Noticeable exclusion was the P-3 Orion in service still in the US Naval Air Reserve and other countries inluding Canada since 1962.

[@oscarjohnson9156]

The C-47 is not in the military but they are still being used for commecial purposes.

[@johnnyjericho8472]

@1:57 I'm dead! :)))

[@AdmiringOceanSunset-sy7ys]

Old is Gold! Roa Aotearoa nui.

[@g3heathen209]

The buff will get warp engine upgrades in 2050.

[@DrewRobertson1]

2:00 Bruce Willis?

[@Zura_Lanch]

looks like him ))

[@samadams7224]

I noticed that too. Movie role?

[@samadams7224]

Tom Skerritt sitting behind Willis.

[@owenmayes2128]

@@samadams7224 He had a small bit-part in a KZbin video entitled "Top 10 OLDEST Aircraft of the U.S. Military" put out by US Military News: he was supported by Tom Skerritt, amongst others.

[@olddog103]

C5 was flying in the late 60s. C2s grounded a long time in the 60s ,we’re throwing props through the side of the aircraft and killing AOB

[@user-mi5ep2ht8m]

My great grandfather was a engineer on chinhook

[@blackpatriot-wq2tf]

With the situation with the osprey right now it's safe say greyhound going be around a bit longer

[@dave.lawrence.3894]

Old but still reliable.... 😮😅😊

[@marklowe8087]

The new RR engines will give the b52 an increase in capacity that would have amazed and well pleased the designers.Just got it right,

[@androidemulator6952]

@2:00 - is that Bruce Willis on the left ??

[@keithdevine8281]

Great documentary, always remember the B52 flying over during my tour in Vietnam 1967/68 the milk run I think they called it around mid morning doing a daily bombing raid to Hanoi. I was just abaggy arse sapper in the Royal Australian Engineers nothing heroic.

[@wingco111]

It that Bruce Willis I see?

[@user-tg9qz2ul2k]

I herd on a show that some aircraft desined may be used for a century 😮

[@the_greater_good2]

“Fellah” 😏

[@rickbateman2401]

LOL - edited for a PG audience???

[@josephgunter2563]

Bruce Willis on C-2 cool...

[@usethenoodle]

I wonder if the B-52 upgrade includes a new CRM-123 discriminator?

[@TheJeffbarrett]

The Osprey is the most apologetic air frame in the fleet.

[@scottmurphy650]

Another case of "if it's still doing the job well, don't screw with it"

[@MENSA.lady2]

Oldest still in service possibly the KC135 tanker

[@wfpelletier4348]

I have a feeling that the B-52s now serving in the USAF are the oldest airframes still serving in front line combat service in any airforce in the world. The last one was built in 1962, meaning that the newest B-52 airframe has been serving for 62 years. The only airframes still in USAF service that might be older are the KC-135s, but I don't know how old the actual aircraft are. (The last KC-135 was made in 1965.) Does anyone have any other thoughts about this?

[@TheRichram]

I was a Tanker C/C in the early 60's the first year of tankers was 1957. I was the Chief of A/c 136 at Castle Afb in 67 it was used to photograph the bimini atoll a bomb tests. The a frame is based on boeings -80 design.

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

Doubt the Osprey will replace the COD. Since the Osprey is limited to 30 minutes from a land base, now.

[@privatepilot4064]

The COD how Amazon does business with sailors at sea.

[@hugocheng6243]

American engineer are smart

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

Face it. Everyone knew the Buff would be #1

[@stanfrymann]

Haha...."fat fella".....well, maybe to some.

[@YukariAkiyama]

Funny seeing the funny siren man here

[@mikethecabbie8476]

​@@stanfrymannThe version I heard was not suitable for polite company...!

[@charlesmaurer6214]

A converted C5 would be a better choice for the 747s for AF1 and the doomsday planes. With all the Boeing aircraft problems they are not safe or in active production for parts. The Osprey for the Greyhound IMHO is the biggest mistake in a hundred years.

[@zypie1]

What’s Bruce Willis doing in there?

[@NoName-ml3kt]

You can’t make aircraft as good as you used to when you have DEI ruining everything!

[@jimbrown5091]

The US Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment does bad, bad things with that "Little Bird"

[@marko11kram]

each of these gives me that warm and fuzzy feekling, kinda like my old steel pot, or my woobie

[@swagartdrawinganddesigns5873]

They are replacing the KC-135 with the Kc-46 Pegasus

[@melchurmoreau5677]

That's what makes America better than the rest,America leads and the others just have to follow, America is superior to many and inferior to none, America is just a sample among the examples,America is the best in the world!!

[@sandysmithvideos228]

Soon to be added F-15 and A10 and CH-53, upgraded but still slightly perfect in their roles.

[@dannyo3317]

Is that that Riggs/Briggs (The World not according to him) talking?

[@newsel959]

Try flying these birds on biofuels ..

[@jimwjohnq.public]

Until they get rid of all the bugs on the Osprey, the navy will continue to use the COD.

[@joseanrodriguez3423]

That of replacing all c2 greyhound for the osprey with the number of death records on the osprey that too me is not a good idea

[@adamdavis9975]

I’d be terrified if they’re going to use ospreys that aircraft crashes so frequently it’s insane

[@seleneroutley3370]

First frame of the Galaxy - IT'S PEAR SHAPEN!!!! IT WOULD TURN THE MOST JADED DYKE ON!!!

[@ben41281]

If it ain't broke.

[@kiereluurs1243]

Isn't broken.

[@t.s.9996]

C-5 does not fly...It scares the ground away!!

[@klausweckbach8980]

Old but good, so Germany has just started to use Herkules maschines and will buy chinook in the years to come.

[@kiereluurs1243]

Hercules, machines, Chinook. But Germany may be on Airbus now.

[@Blue_Maxxx]

Be quiet don't wake up Grandpa BUFF you won't like him when he's mad!

[@melfisher1683]

Did anybody spot Bruce Willis and Tom Skerritt?

[@LanielPhoto]

Who is Tom Skerritt ?

[@gtex5834]

No diveresty engineers on these projects. Hmmm....can't design a better one now.

[@rinsedpie]

Ospreys gonna replace Greyhounds? Will people board that thing? Soon when all Ospreys crash out, they will need to drag in the retired Greyhounds in again

[@JustReed]

Think about this. Surviving an all out nuclear exchange? You think surviving without your phone will be hard. Now think of being without EVERTHING for a very l o n g time. This isn't going to be like a weekend at uncle Bob's cabin in the woods, wishing you we're back home 30 minutes after arriving. We all got to leaving sooner or later and in this situation. I'm picking sooner. Unless you like to suffer.

[@johnevans388]

And in the UK we regularly throw away perfectly good airplanes simply because the pencil pushers at the Ministry of Defence think they look old-fashioned.

[@Rip889]

everyone knows what "BUFF" really stands for........🤦‍♀🤦‍♀🤦‍♀🤦‍♀🤦‍♀

[@larrysylvester4438]

11 times around a B-52 is a mile .

[@cyndybutler7330]

Patriots love our military stay safe men and women under Biden it’s all out war in America

[@ScarletTermite]

You know, that’s insulting to the people in the world who really are caught in an all-out war in their country.