List of most successful aircraft

from http://worldwizzy.com/learn/index.php?title=List_of_most_successful_aircraft

These are aircraft which were most successful compared to their peers in production numbers, operational success or unusually long service life as noted by reliable notable sources

Boeing 737

The most ordered and produced commercial airliner of all time.

Boeing B-52

The C-130 is the only other military aircraft still in service with original customer after 50 years.

Boeing KC-135

Expected to remain in service into the 2040s, it is likely to outlast even the B-52.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft during World War II

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

The Hercules family, still in production, has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history

Lockheed U-2

In front line service 50 years after first flight. It has outlasted its Mach 3 SR-71 replacement which was retired in 1998.

Douglas DC-3/C-47

Generally regarded as one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made

English Electric Canberra

The type remained in service with the Royal Air Force until June 23, 2006, 57 years after its first flight.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

One of, if not the most widely produced modern Mach 2 supersonic jet aircraft in the world, with over 8,000 built.

Supermarine Spitfire

Best known British WWII fighter. It was the only fighter aircraft to be in continual production before, during and after the Second World War.