What if they reinstated the Transatlantic Air Race?

[McColm]

Whilst the Royal Air Force chose the Harrier GR1, the Royal Navy selected the Phantom FG1 to fly in the  Transatlantic Air Race back in May 1969 over 7 days in May 4-11. The sponsors were the Daily Mail  newspaper group. Some 360 competitors would compete to set the fastest time between the top of the Post Office Tower and the top of the Empire State building,  marking the 50th anniversary of  Alcock and Brown's pioneering flight.
No doubt if this race was reinstated today then the Royal Air Force would nominate the Typhoon to take on the  F-35B in Royal Navy colours.  Across the pond the Americans would probably enter the  F-22 or F-15C against a F-18E and the USMarines with one of our ex-Harriers.
Back in 1979 NATO was celebrating its' 30th anniversary which happened to be the same year as the 60th anniversary of the Alcock and Brown's flight across the Atlantic.  Two Phantom FGR2s were painted in commemorative colours,  a similar paint scheme could be applied to a  Sea Harrier of the same period or whiffed into the modern day eviquilant.
I'm not too sure if any of the refuelling tanker aircraft were painted in anniversary colours but they would make an interesting whiff project.
Needless to say the choice of privately owned planes is endless.

[Weaver]

It'd be awfully tempting for the USAF to enter a Blackbird, wouldn't it? 

[Scotaidh]

It'd be awfully tempting for the USAF to enter a Blackbird, wouldn't it? 

'Cept they've retired all of them.  Now, NASA, on the other hand ... 

[Weaver]

It'd be awfully tempting for the USAF to enter a Blackbird, wouldn't it? 

'Cept they've retired all of them.  Now, NASA, on the other hand ... 

Yeah, but McColm also mentioned earlier anniversaries like 1979, and they were very much in service then.

Paint some fancy stripes and graphics on an SR-71 for the '79 or '89 anniversaries, then see how much of it is left when you get to the other side of the pond...

[PR19_Kit]

There's a feature article on the RAF's and FAA's participation in the 1969 Trans-Atlantic race in the latest Aeroplane Magazine, and very interesting it is too, with interviews with the various entrants.

[sandiego89]

....... and the USMarines with one of our ex-Harriers......

The US Marines have their own Harrier, the AV-8B and they also have their own F-35B's, which surely would be the platform to show off.

I do not believe any of the ex UK Gr7/9's that were picked up from the UK at a fire sale price have entered US service. Think they were bought as a hedge if their had been an insurmountable problems with the F-35B.

[kerick]

Make it more of a challenge for the military types and ban mid air refueling! Everyone would have to put more work into route planning for fuel stops.