Planes today are getting more quiet. In fact, you barely wake up to their noise when they fly above your house at the wee hours in the morning. However way back during the 1980s and 1990s, planes were loud. I remember being awaken by BAC 1-11s taking-off from the Manila International Airport (now NAIA) during its hey-days. As such, what are the ten loudest planes in the world?
Before I began, please do take note that the perception of loudness can be subjective. However, these aircraft all hold a reputation for generating significant noise during operation.
Republic XF-84H “Thunderscreech”
This turboprop fighter-bomber contender from the 1950s holds the unofficial title of the loudest aircraft ever flown. While no scientific measurements exist, tales abound of the “Thunderscreech’s” screeching whine causing ground crew to faint and disrupting nearby homes kilometers away.
This Soviet-era turboprop strategic bomber, still in use today, is renowned for its thunderous roar. Imagine a quartet of jet engines and massive propellers working in harmony (or perhaps, cacophony) to create a truly awe-inspiring (or earsplitting) sound.
Avro Vulcan
The British Avro Vulcan, another Cold War-era bomber with a delta wing design, wasn’t shy about announcing its presence. Its four powerful Rolls-Royce Olympus engines produced a deep, rumbling sound that could be heard for miles.
Concorde
The supersonic Concorde may have been a marvel of engineering, but its sonic boom and powerful afterburners were certainly not music to everyone’s ears. While regulations limited its sonic boom to over water, the thunderous roar on takeoff and landing was undeniable.
Douglas DC-8
Another early jet airliner, the DC-8, was known for its distinctive roar. While not quite as loud as the 707, its powerful engines and straight wing design contributed to a significant noise footprint.
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
The TriStar, with its distinctive three Rolls-Royce engines mounted on the tail, wasn’t exactly known for its hushed tones. While offering a more spacious cabin than some competitors, the sound of its engines was a notable trade-off.
Boeing 727
A workhorse for many airlines in the latter half of the 20th century, the Boeing 727 was known for its distinctive three aft-mounted turbofan engines. While offering good performance for short and medium-haul routes, the sound of its engines was a familiar, and sometimes unwelcome, sound at airports.
Vickers VC-10
This British jet airliner, known for its distinctive four Rolls-Royce Conway turbofan engines mounted on the rear fuselage, wasn’t exactly known for its quiet operation. While offering good range and payload capacity, the sound of its engines was a significant factor.
BAC 1-11
This British short-haul jet airliner, with its two rear-mounted Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines, was known for its distinctive sound. While offering good performance for shorter routes, its engines generated a noticeable amount of noise.
So, which do you consider the world’s loudest planes? For me, the 727 really caused our home to “rumble” whenever it flew overhead.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
