# Oldest aeroplane types still in active service? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294 "2012-01-31T10:56:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/1 "2012-01-31T10:56:18Z")
After seeing a DC-3 at the airport the other day (and realising they date from the 1930s originally), I started wondering what the oldest passenger/cargo aeroplane type still in active (ie non “Airshow only” or “Nostalgia flight”) service was. I’m figuring it’s probably the DC-3, but I’d be interested to hear other contenders as well. The related question is about military aircraft- what’s the oldest type still in active service (all those DeHavilland Tiger Moths and Boeing Stearmans in private hands don’t count)? Initially I thought it might have been the B-52 or the C-130 Hercules, but apparently Brazil is still using Canadian versions of the T-33 Shooting Star (entered service in 1948!). Any other candidates for that one? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/2 "2012-01-31T12:12:02Z")
That’s cool about the T-33. [Wiki says](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_T-33_Shooting_Star) the Brazilian AF has retired them, but several other AF’s still use 'em. (Hijack quickie question: Is that unusual to have one jet engine with two intakes, one on either side of the fuselage?) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/3 "2012-01-31T13:53:01Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > (Hijack quickie question: Is that unusual to have one jet engine with two intakes, one on either side of the fuselage?) No, not unusual. Other examples include the Harrier Jump Jet, A4 Skyhawk, and Dassault Mirrage. The English Electric Lightning on the other hand, had one intake and two engines. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/4 "2012-01-31T15:53:55Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > No, not unusual. Other examples include the Harrier Jump Jet, A4 Skyhawk, and Dassault Mirrage. The English Electric Lightning on the other hand, had one intake and two engines. Thanks, mate. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/5 "2012-01-31T18:14:55Z")
The old reliable [de Havilland Beaver](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Canada_DHC-2_Beaver), produced 1947-67, is still widely used. Wikipedia says “hundreds” are still flying although many of them have been modified from the original. SS ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/6 "2012-01-31T18:15:57Z")
I can’t offer any models older than you’ve considered, but you might enjoy the fleet used in the Canadian reality show “Ice Pilots” (about commercial flying in the Northwest Territories): [A DC-3, a DC-4, and a C-46](http://www.icepilots.com/fleet.php). ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/7 "2012-01-31T18:30:20Z")
I fly regularly on a 1952 de Havilland Beaver that’s operated daily as part of scheduled service to communities around SE Alaska. At one time it was painted army green and hung from the ceiling of an museum, but in truth it was never a military plane. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/8 "2012-01-31T20:32:50Z")
They used to have a coupla Ford Trimotors flying to and from mainland Ohio out to South Bass Island in Lake Erie as recently as a few years ago, but not anymore, I think. There are still some really old, pre-WWII cropdusters in use, aren’t there? ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/9 "2012-01-31T20:38:08Z")
IL-62s are still in use and were built as far back as 63. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/10 "2012-01-31T20:58:35Z")
> [@xnylder](#): > > I can’t offer any models older than you’ve considered, but you might enjoy the fleet used in the Canadian reality show “Ice Pilots” (about commercial flying in the Northwest Territories): [A DC-3, a DC-4, and a C-46](http://www.icepilots.com/fleet.php). [**Ice Pilots on YouTube**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6elwdyx4GU). A few of the shows have mentioned Buffalo’s difficulty in obtaining av gas for the fleet. Parts can be tough to get, too. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/11 "2012-01-31T21:25:19Z")
There’s maybe a few dozen [Grumman Goose](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_Goose) flying boats in operation, again mostly in remote coastal areas like Alaska, which date back to 1937 which is about as old as the DC-3. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/12 "2012-01-31T21:50:14Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > They used to have a coupla Ford Trimotors flying to and from mainland Ohio out to South Bass Island in Lake Erie as recently as a few years ago, but not anymore, I think. This may just be piling anecdote on anecdote, but the [Trimotor Wikipedia page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Trimotor) says the following: “Characteristically, the aircraft is still in use as of late 2011, mainly for promotional and film work, though one Trimotor operator offers rides.” [This page](http://trimotors.awiggins.com/fordlist.htm) confirms that a 1929 4AT was giving rides on the airshow circuit last summer. Since the last Ford was built in 1933, that would give the Trimotor the distinction. The pilot’s name, appropriately enough, is “Dean Bird.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/13 "2012-02-02T08:11:09Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I fly regularly on a 1952 de Havilland Beaver that’s operated daily as part of scheduled service to communities around SE Alaska. At one time it was painted army green and hung from the ceiling of an museum, but in truth it was never a military plane. I did a college internship at a company that refurbishes and modifies DeHavilland Beavers. (Or at least they did 20 years ago.) Rugged old birds; sought after and you could get one restored to better than new condition. It’s got a radial engine, so before every flight make sure to fill it up with oil and check the gas. ---
**Author:** ![robinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@robinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinson)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/14 "2012-02-03T08:04:21Z")
No data, but I suspect there are still some light observation craft sorta like Piper cubs in active service for drug spotting and search & rescue. Those designs predate WWII. Also isn’t there a fire-fighting water bomber in CA dating back to WWII? ---
**Author:** ![robinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/848f3c/32.png) [@robinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinson)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/15 "2012-02-03T08:06:51Z")
I bet there are a few PBY Catalinas around, too. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/16 "2012-02-03T09:04:11Z")
I think there are still a few F-4 Phantoms in service in other countries. Iran has, or at least had, quite a few of them. I logged quite a few hours in the backseat of F-4s as an aerial photographer when I was in the Air Force. Some of the planes I flew in were older than I was at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/17 "2012-02-03T17:30:13Z")
The de Havilland [Tiger Moth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Tiger_Moth), a biplane that first flew in **1931** , is still in use as a recreational aircraft. According to the wiki article, it is still occasionally used as a trainer. There are an estimated 250 still flying. You’ll find a few isolated examples of older aircraft that have been restored to airworthiness, but it could well be the oldest plane in widespread use. Edit - Nice story in the wiki article. A Tiger Moth was the last biplane to land on an aircraft carrier. It took off again, but going into a headwind it was slower than the carrier itself, which had to turn to avoid a collision. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/18 "2012-02-03T17:49:46Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > Edit - Nice story in the wiki article. A Tiger Moth was the last biplane to land on an aircraft carrier. It took off again, but going into a headwind it was slower than the carrier itself, which had to turn to avoid a collision. Heh…reminds me of a story I heard somewhere (possibly apocryphal) about a sport flyer in an old Aeronca Champion who could turn into a stiff headwind, throttle down to near stall speed and actually fly backward. SS ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/19 "2012-02-03T17:58:46Z")
> [@robinson](#): > > I bet there are a few PBY Catalinas around, too. But probably none of the pre-WW2 variant with no dry-land gear. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294/20 "2012-02-03T18:13:40Z")
[Saw this the other day.](http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/25/us-northrop-globalhawk-idUSTRE80N2EM20120125) While the U2 is probably not the oldest in service, it must be getting up there. First flight according to Wikipedia was in [1955](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2). Also pretty cool that the 60 year old design is being kept rather than the technology packed Global Hawk drone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-aeroplane-types-still-in-active-service/611294.md?page=2)