I consider any aircraft that can stay in active service 50 or more years to be automatically get the status of Classic. Other aircraft to fit or about to fit - DC-3, B-52, CV-240/340/440, KC-135, 707, DC-8, 727, VC-10, DC-10, and BAC 1-11.
One of my requirements for being a classic is that model in question is no longer in production. If the AC depected is a C-130J then it is not a classic, if its an earlier version then it is.
Dunno how to vote here.. not enough options (or was that too many)!!
The marque has been around for ever (didn't JC cross the Red Sea in one) and still flies in various shapes and sizes today so if nothing else, it would prove the original idea was sound. I suppose it's a classic example of it's type though I'm not a hundred percent sure that's classic.. if you get my drift. Don't really know that much about it but are the 'J's brand new airframes?? I'd be inclined to think so so, in that case.. the 'J' is out. It's a bit like agreeing that the 737 200 is a classic so the 800 must be.. NOT!!
Just lifted this definition off t'internet
Classic : A work of acknowledged excellence and authority.
By that definition it's an outstanding classic.
Just not a British Classic.
I think it's fair to call any aircraft type with a decent amount of useful service behind it a classic. They have to be designed to a certain standard of excellence to even enter service.
MALTBY D wrote:Just lifted this definition off t'internet
Classic : A work of acknowledged excellence and authority.
By that definition it's an outstanding classic.
Just not a British Classic.
I think it's fair to call any aircraft type with a decent amount of useful service behind it a classic. They have to be designed to a certain standard of excellence to even enter service.
DM
Mr Maltby (tugs forelock) has hit it on the head; it's not British, so can't be a classic, just old!!