Post Pretty Plane Pix

[electronjohn]

We all have distinct tastes regarding aesthetic appeal...so I thought it would be fun to see varying opinions about aircraft beauty. My first choice may run counter to what some may think I would like...but I'm sure you'll agree that this piece of flying sculpture is a real looker:


http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=239303&stc=1&d=1289236263

In 1943 the Air Corps requested proposals for a big, fast, long-range photo recon plane. Republic's Alexander Kartveli obliged...designing the XF-12 "Rainbow". 400 MPH cruise @ 40,000 feet...4,000 mile range. Power was provided by 4 P&W Wasp Majors @ 3,500HP each. Each engine was tightly-cowled with a cooling fan right behind the prop...then the cooling air was ducted through the nacelle & the force of the engine exhaust combined with the cooling air provided the equivalent of 250 free HP per engine. Sadly...only 2 were built...one crashed & the other ended up as a gunnery target

 

[jocko_nc]

Killed by the jet, no doubt. Looks to be a good effort with propellers.

Those props look like the late-model paddles found on the high performance Mustangs and Spitfires. 400 at 40K is amazing.

 

[fotno]

Entirely predictable of me to nominate the Supermarine Spitfire, but to me it's the most beautiful aircraft (and one of the most beautiful machines of any kind) ever built.

 

[electronjohn]

I love the symmetry of the Spit's elliptical wing. No slouch in the performance department, either.

 

[Sandy G]

Beech Staggerwing. One of the sexiest planes ever built, IMHO. Even tho it was a radial engined biplane taildragger from the Thirties, it STILL looked like it could go 1000MPH...

 

[John James]

If you had to fly in the bush this one would look real nice!

http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=96946806001

 

[electronjohn]

Beech Staggerwing. One of the sexiest planes ever built, IMHO. Even tho it was a radial engined biplane taildragger from the Thirties, it STILL looked like it could go 1000MPH...

Yessir, Sandy...if you flew one of those back in the 30s you had ARRIVED. In your rambles around the great state of Tennessee...have you ever been to Tullahoma? In addition to the George Dickel distillery, there's a pretty fine museum there: http://www.beechcraftheritagemuseum.org/

 

[87RangerXLT]

Avro Vulcan:

SuperMarine Spitfire:

And my Favorite The TU-95 Bear:

 

[electronjohn]

Then there's my perennial favorite...the Lockheed Constellation. I think Connies always look best in TWA livery: http://www.mcguinnessonline.com/burt/images/mm-estar.jpg

Speaking of Connies: Let's go flying...with the Old Redhead himself...Arthur Godfrey: (Cool in-flight shot of a rare Martin 202 included) http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vi...1bc34b4-273780770036?q=lockheed constellation

 

[Toasted Almond]

Connies were gorgeous. What a nice ride.

 

[Sandy G]

Another couple that just looked "Right" to me were the DC-3, & the 707...I also expended a gallon or so of Drool over a P-51 Mustang at an airshow once that was polished aluminum...Even the wheelwells were "Eat Off 'Em" clean. It was obviously Somebody's Baby...

 

[electronjohn]

The original 707 was perfectly-proportioned. They looked best with those skinny old turbojets. Here's Boeing Hot Stick test pilot Tex Johnson showing what she'll do: (sorry 'bout the grainy old film): http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vi...07 barrel roll&FROM=LKVR5&GT1=LKVR5&FORM=LKVR

DC-3s have "the look" as well...along with a sweet sound: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vi...=DC-3 low pass&FROM=LKVR5&GT1=LKVR5&FORM=LKVR

 

[TebbieBear]

P-38 Lightning

Me262

SeaMax

 

[electronjohn]

A few more purty ones: When I win the lottery, my "dream hangar" will contain: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=239341&stc=1&d=1289253529

Not many Spartan "Executives" around. 450HP P&W "Wasp Junior".

And...some twin-engine Viagra: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=239342&stc=1&d=1289253764
The Beechcraft "Duke" is a droolworthy sleekster.

And, twin-engine Levitra to go with it: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=239343&stc=1&d=1289253829
Always loved the venerable Beech 18

 

[electronjohn]

That SeaMax flying boat is the ultimate fishing rig! Sweet!

 

[Sandy G]

Hard to believe, in a way, that the Twin Beech was available from the factory til 1969... I also think the "Tall-Tailed" B-52s are sweet looking planes...There's an old canard in aviation that says if a plane LOOKS good, it'll prolly BE good, too.. That's less so now as planes depend less on straight aerodynamics as they do electronic gizmos to fly, at least the big jets & fighters. The Lockheed Connie's fuselage curve was supposedly based on the curve of a Hollywood starlet's leg...At least, that was the story they told at the time. Another plane that has no pretensions to grace or beauty, but just kinda looks like a happy puppy, wanting to play, is an Aeronca C-3...My great uncle in Chattanooga had one, they had no starter, you spun the prop & hoped it cranked..Trucks below would pass you up on a good straight, especially if you had a headwind...You could stick your arm out the side, & the plane would turn that way....The motor was liable to quit if it got too hot, you'd find a reasonable pasture, set 'er down & let it "rest" for awhile. There were no windows or doors, if it was hot, you sweated, if it was cold, you froze. They weren't exactly the kind of plane you'd want to fly from here across the country, but flying from here over to the next little airport up the way, top off the gas tank, drink a "Yeller Dope" & shoot the breeze w/the flyboys up there, & come back home, it was PERFECT for that.

 

[electronjohn]

The graceful "Connie Curve" was to accommodate the tall landing gear. Part of Kelly Johnson's "secret sauce" was geared engines driving large, slow-turning props...the tall gear was needed for tip clearance. If you watch a Connie taking off, you'll note the nose gear retracts backward & the main gear retracts forward into the nacelles.

But I like the Betty Grable leg story better.

 

[philo426]

Pre War devastator

 

[electronjohn]

Wish I had the patience to turn out models like that...well done!

Here's another occupant of my "dream hangar"...a Rockwell 114: http://www.pilotfriend.com/aircraft performance/new site2/images8/9.jpg

 

[sfox52]

This one is a rare bird:

One of eighteen made,the 1946 Johnson Rocket 185. This one belongs to my dad- he restored it & won the "Grand Champion" Classic division at Oshkosh in '94. I was a lucky kid, dad owned a lot of classics from when I was barely walking. I remember sitting on his lap holding the wheel of a D model Staggerwing when I was three or so. I probably have the most time in the several V tail Bonanza's he owned. Dad's 82 now & his piloting days are done, but I'll alway be glad I got to hang out with him at the airport back in the day.