The World's Largest Private Fleet Of Fighter Jets Is In France's Wine Country

CBS

CBS News: World's largest collection of fighter jets is nestled in the middle of France's Wine Country

Beaune, France — Burgundy may be known for its wine, but it's what's nestled between the vines that draws the tourists to this vineyard: The world's largest private fleet of fighter jets, 110 in all. It's not your typical collection, but 87-year-old Michel Pont is not your typical collector.

"I was born passionate," he told CBS News. "And a bit crazy," he said, pointing to his head.

Pont said he caught the collector's bug while in the French Air Force, and started buying the jets 30 years ago to save them from being destroyed.

And that attracts the crowds of tourists interested in wine and war. Military bases in France are closed to the public, so this gives people a chance to see the planes up close.

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WNU Editor: Some people collect stamps, this Frenchman collects fighter jets.

These Are The 7 Priciest Military Planes Made in the USA

SO EXPENSIVE IT WAS ONCE SAID TO COST TWICE ITS OWN WEIGHT IN GOLD, NORTHROP GRUMMAN'S B-2 SPIRIT STEALTH BOMBER IS NO LONGER THE PRICIEST MILITARY PLANE BUILT IN THE USA. IMAGE SOURCE: AIRMAN FIRST CLASS MICHAEL S. DORUS FOR THE U.S. AIR FORCE.

The Motley Fool: The 7 Priciest Military Planes Made in the USA

Three are guaranteed to surprise you.

Which of America's military aircraft are the most expensive? Opinions vary.

Turn to Google for the answer, and you'll find multiple "top 10" lists. Most of these key off an old Time magazine report that ranked such aircraft as Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and Lockheed Martin's (NYSE:LMT) F-22 Raptor stealth fighter as among America's priciest planes -- which is sort of true. With sticker prices of $2 billion for each B-2 and $412 million for the F-22, Spirit and Raptor were among the priciest planes America produced. But that's no longer the case.

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WNU Editor: The new version of Air Force One .... when completed .... is the priciest plane that will be built.

Spectacular Vertical Take-off Of A MiG-29 (Video)

The 6 Most Lethal Aircraft in History

A-10 Thunderbolt II

From Popular Mechanics:

With the help of some aviation experts and warplane veterans, PM took a look back over the history of single-engine planes, fighters, bombers and attack helicopters. We picked six of the most lethal fliers of the past 100 years, based on their dominance during the years they flew. No battle is one-sided, of course: Check out our feature on anti-aircraft missile and countermeasure research here.