Most Beautiful Aircraft

[ScOoTeR1992]

this is easy for me, I've always loved the Russian aircraft, especially the MiG-29 and Sukhoi SU-37. Photo's don't do these bird justice

 

[Graeme]

sorry Stitch, but i think that pic is from flight simulator

It certainly looks real.

Looks real to me.

Both images are of "Ship Two" with the wing tip deflection at 65 degrees. The bottom image is scanned from Airpower November 1992, obviously with the chase plane a little closer.

 

[Vraciu]

The most beautiful planes for me:

Ki-83
J5N
P-47N
F4U
B-25

 

[AMCKen]

Okay. For those of us who love the 757 and her pretty legs, this has to be one of the most B-E-A-U-tiful turboprops ever made. And I do love turboprops. And such long legs. Pretty.

Some nifty videos on youtube like:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faUvdTJRh48

Parts of this one were edited down to 2:25 with Deodato music but that one seems to have disappeared. Good thing I got a copy.

Ken

Now this one is gone also. Try:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFn3XVOxEz8

 

[AMCKen]

KK,

You must have better eyes than I.
Both planes look the same, to me.



Elvis

IIRC the earlier Allisons used epicyclic reduction gear with the lower thrust line (I believe in line with the crankshaft), and the later ones used spur gear reduction with the raised thrust line. Spur gear could handle the increased power better.

 

[Amsel]

The P-51 D and the Me 109 G are some pretty birds. I really love the lines and nose's of those two.

 

[AMCKen]

KK,

You must have better eyes than I.
Both planes look the same, to me.



Elvis

Oh, and to see the difference, check where the centre of the prop lines up. Below the exhaust stacks with the earlier engine and in-line with the exhaust on the later engines.

 

[Nightwitch]

I love the Yak-3 VK-107. Here's a modern Yak-3 with an Allison engine. This pic was given to me by the pilot and owner, though he's since sold the plane.

 

[SoD Stitch]

sorry Stitch, but i think that pic is from flight simulator

Negative; check the original source, it's real.

 

[Nightwitch]

A little known bird that never made it into mass production, the Polikarpov I-17, is really iconic in my opinion. Polikarpov's planes are all gorgeous, even the little Rata, but I think he really went above and beyond with the I-17.

 

[Amsel]

Nice looking bird.

 

[Waynos]

How about that Bugatti aeroplane? impractical maybe, but utterly gorgeous.

 

[Elvis]

Nightwitch,

The I-17 looks like someone took an I-16 and gave it the "P-40" treatment, and then some.
Does it share any parts with the I-16, or is it completely its own thing?



Elvis

 

[Elvis]

Ah, Marcel (and others) beat me to it, so I'll just post another pic of one. This is an actual L-4, though.
The blue plane is an Auster J-1. I think this one dates from the 50's.
I've always been especially fond of both of these particular pictures of these planes.


Elvis

 

[sturmer]

for wwI: Fokker Dr.I
for wwII: Spitfire, Me-109, Ju-87, B-17
modern era: A-6 intruder, the F-14 and the almighty F-16

 

[fly boy]

p-51
c-47
b-17
b-47
spitfire

 

[Hesekiel]

Junkers Ju 88 "Dreifinger".... She´s a beauty....

 

[Nightwitch]

Nightwitch,

The I-17 looks like someone took an I-16 and gave it the "P-40" treatment, and then some.
Does it share any parts with the I-16, or is it completely its own thing?



Elvis

Sorry I missed this. As far as I am aware, the I-17 is a completely new design. Obviously, it borrows from the I-16 in terms of styling, as it was designed by the same guy, but I don't think it extends any further than that.

 

[Auravir]

In your mind, what is the most beautiful aircraft of all time?

My vote goes for the spit

 

[Amsel]

How about this beauty? A new Hughes H-1.