Most beautiful fighter, bomber, and any kind of airplanes!!!

[GregP]

Hey Spicemart,

Unless I remember incorrectly, the YF-23 met the specifications and the YF-22 didn't. When the YF-22 didn't, they lowered the spec so it could compete. That's a GREAT indication that the "fix" is in, isn't it? Once they lowered the spec for stealth, I knew the YF-23 was doomed. There was NO reason to lower the spec otherwise. Had Northrop-Grumman been given the chance to "de-stealth" their entry and then resubmit (for possibly better airframe performance and easier maintainability), I'd have been optimistic about a more fair outcome. When that didn't happen, I knew the contest was over.

 

[glennasher]

For beautiful bombers, my choices would have to be the B-58 and the B-1B. For some reason, when I'm in Dayton, those two grab my eyes more than anything else. I doubt they're as efficient as a B-52, but they sure look wickedly beautiful.

 

[kiwimac]

Bugatti 100P

Source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/a7/2e/7ea72e794f3a9508bb9f073806e088b7.png

 

[Glider]

Stretching the any kind or aeroplane a little but it does have an engine and can self launch

 

[at6]

Bugatti 100P
View attachment 503486

Source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/a7/2e/7ea72e794f3a9508bb9f073806e088b7.png

Unfortunately, the replica that was built and flown was lost in a fatal crash.

 

[maxmwill]

Well gentlemen, while I could have scrolled on all the way down, I'll take a stab in the dark and say that there are few, if any, civilian aircraft mentioned, because yes, it is very true, that there have been, and still are beautiful military aircraft.

However, there are two aircraft, both of them having been designed and built during the 1930s, and both of them German, which are, to me, the most beautiful of aircraft.

One of them is the Darmstadt D22, the other the DFS 40.

The Darmstadt was a pretty little biplane with fully cantilevered wings(no struts, save for the cabane struts):

The DFS 40, was an experimental flying wing designed by Alexander Lippisch:

Guys, to me, these flying machines are drop dead gorgeous.

 

[maxmwill]

Yes, I did, after all, scroll on down, and yes, there are some gorgeous military flying machines, all of which I'm familiar with to varying degrees, and few civilians,, likewise I am familiar with to varying degrees, and, as this thread didn't specify military, I threw my hat in with the two I mentioned, as they were purely civilian flying machines. However, lest anyone think of me as being prejudiced for non-martial flying machines, I'll add a couple more, ones with a more militant role in mind, namely the XP-67, and the HE 119, both of which, as fighting craft, or at least potential fighting craft, are, to me, also drop dead gorgeous.

Hell, pretty much every flying machine designed by the Gunter Brothers were gorgeous(a lot of Heinkels there, the most famous being the HE 111, with those graceful elliptical wings, but the HE 119 was the best expression of that design philosophy).

 

[at6]

Well gentlemen, while I could have scrolled on all the way down, I'll take a stab in the dark and say that there are few, if any, civilian aircraft mentioned, because yes, it is very true, that there have been, and still are beautiful military aircraft.

However, there are two aircraft, both of them having been designed and built during the 1930s, and both of them German, which are, to me, the most beautiful of aircraft.

One of them is the Darmstadt D22, the other the DFS 40.

The Darmstadt was a pretty little biplane with fully cantilevered wings(no struts, save for the cabane struts):
View attachment 503531

The DFS 40, was an experimental flying wing designed by Alexander Lippisch:

View attachment 503532

Guys, to me, these flying machines are drop dead gorgeous.

They either ended up as military aircraft or opened the doorway to further development of a certain concept.

 

[Freebird]

Bugatti 100P
View attachment 503486

Source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/a7/2e/7ea72e794f3a9508bb9f073806e088b7.png

Hey! Welcome back KiwiMac!

 

[fliger747]

I'd be biased, but the most beautiful plane I ever flew was the 747-8 Freighter with the short hump. Even more svelt and elegant than the 747-400. Still a good flier! Then there is the "mother" of the 787, the Dreamlifter... Everyone has to love a mother.

 

[alsaad]

XP - 67

 

[michael rauls]

This is a tough choice. So many good possibilities. For modern aircraft I'd go with th F15 and for ww2 era the Spitfire.

 

[Clayton Magnet]

Always liked the Ryan STA.

But the immortal Spitfire will always be my favorite

 

[spicmart]

Hey Spicemart,

Unless I remember incorrectly, the YF-23 met the specifications and the YF-22 didn't. When the YF-22 didn't, they lowered the spec so it could compete. That's a GREAT indication that the "fix" is in, isn't it? Once they lowered the spec for stealth, I knew the YF-23 was doomed. There was NO reason to lower the spec otherwise. Had Northrop-Grumman been given the chance to "de-stealth" their entry and then resubmit (for possibly better airframe performance and easier maintainability), I'd have been optimistic about a more fair outcome. When that didn't happen, I knew the contest was over.

Just saw your post. Haven't noticed it before.

I didn't know about that change of specs. Pity. You know for what reasons did Lockheed-Martin got the preference?

 

[Tomato Eins]

While the Spitfire will always be my favourite, the B-17 Flying Fortress is such a graceful bomber.

The Fairey Gannet while abstract and quite the opposite of graceful, is a somewhat pleasing aircraft to look out. A cool aircraft. Anyone agree?

 

[spicmart]

The B-24 Liberator is the coolest looking heavy bomber. The Davis wing gives it a grace and futuristic look. The fuselage gives an unusual contrast and I love the shape of the twintails. The front turret makes the forward end look a bit like a dog snout. The design is not too angular while having subtle, not too pronounced curves giving it a smoothness.

 

[spicmart]

The Su-57. So similar to the F-22 in appearance yet so MUCH better-looking!

 

[michael rauls]

Another design I find graceful or one could say beautiful is the p38. Still behind the Spitfire in this regard imho but verry pleasing to look at nun the less.

 

[CEFORNIGLIA]

Re-2005 still looks better 8)

The Reggiane is Far Better Looking Than Any Spitfire Mark No Comparison!

 

[CEFORNIGLIA]

The Elegance of the Inline Engine Italian Fighters is Unquestioned, the Macchi's, the Fiat G.55 and the Reggiane Re.2005.