GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The "Flying barrel" was interwar, first flew in the early 30's.
Most Unattractive Aircraft of WW2
- Thread starter Glider
- Start date
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Indeed it was, but most people aren't aware that Weight-for-weight since Aluminium is as strong as steel, strength-for-strength, steel is a s light as aluminium. The main reason for the steel, according to G'ma Fran, was to minimize corosion concerns--after all, it was a Navy plane, expected to see a lot of sea-side service--she was terribly amused at the general disparagement of the MiG 25's stainless steel construction, as a number of electronic engineers in re her vacuum tube electronics; an EMP will permanently destroy a transistor, not so a vac-t---with the 'non-strategic material being an extra benifit.
But, if you compare the design to that of the C-47/R4D, as a cargo plane, you'll see that, steel excepted, all of her not-a-DC-3 features are now pretty much standard to cargo planes:
Landing Gear that allows for a flat cargo bay
Ramps for loading and unloading cargo directly (you shouldn't have to watch the fun of getting a Jeep into or out of a C-47.
High cockpit to clear those ramps.
High wings--among other things, minimizes FOD
Landing gear optimized for rough field operations.
After the war, the Flying Tiger Airlines bought 'em up, and made quite a business, because all of it's advantages meant that they could ship shomething large cross-country for less that somebody else using war surplus DC's or C-46s.
Now, I'm not saying she was a beauty--I'd give that crown to the Constellation, hands down--but ugly?
I reserve that for things that don't work, like the F-85. Speaking of which...
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Hey, I kinda like the P-79. Don't think much of the armament, but hey, nobody's perfect
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This airplane is so ugly I sort of like it... in sort of an art deco grotesque kind of way
Looks like a couple of drunk Germans raided the spare parts bin one night!
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
More like the French designers were well into their 4th bottle of Chardonnay one evening when one exclaimed "Pierre, hold my glass and watch this!!"
Just park a 1960's Citroen car next to it. A pair made in heaven!
You are correct GrumpyOldCrewChief, the Conestoga was made of stainless steel. I just saw one at the Pima Air Museum (see image below). As they tell it, the military was afraid there was going to be an aluminum shortage so they turned to other materials. When the aluminum shortage didn't occur they abandoned the project.
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I'm beginning to see a trend here, oui? Some designers just have a way... and others... well let's just say the French seem more about form than functionality.Ah Milosh, the MS1500 is positively cute compared with many other French planes.
Here are a very few that come to mind:
1) SNCAC NC.1071.
View attachment 504326
2) Latecoere Late L.570.
View attachment 504327
3) Loire-Nieuport LN-10.
View attachment 504328
But, your choice isn't bad, as ugly planes go.
I actually felt sorry for the pilot who had to fly that thing.
The Italians are all about "theater" seating in the front!
GregP
Major
I like the P 108 myself. The front isn't any "uglier" than a Lancaster, and we are ALL fond of that one.
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. After a certain number of them, anything looks good!
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. After a certain number of them, anything looks good!
Admiral Beez
Major
The US designed Burnelli CBY-3 has to be a contender. Ugliest aircraft made in Canada?
beartown550
Airman
- 23
- Jan 28, 2020
That is one ugly airplane !!!
TheMadPenguin
Senior Airman
I'd say more it's a double-long double-decker greyhound bus ... now let's make it fly.
Homely, which can indeed be attractive.
Ed Williamson
Airman
- 14
- Jan 24, 2020
Flight deck crew entered via a door low down on port side directly below flight deck - only a short ladder needed to get in, but they then had to climb more internal fixed ladders to get into the office.
There were two passenger size doors, set into the main cargo doors, short ladders only needed, or you could mount through the big doors and ramp if they were open. There was a hatch in the floor of the troop compartment right at the end of that narrow tail boom, which could be used for entry - and that did need a long ladder ! However, the normal route into the boom was to enter the aircraft through lower doors, then clamber up things like gymnasium wall bars through not-quite large enough holes in the floor of the upper deck (the boom). That floor hatch was also used for parachute exit for troops in the boom, and the lower doors set into the cargo doors were used for troops if exiting from the main cargo compartment.
A fatality occurred on the runway at Khormaksar when a co-pilot was doing internal pre-flight checks. There was a chemical toilet compartment right at the back of the tail boom, just beyond that floor hatch. The toilet was a tight fit - if you needed a Number 2 you went in backwards. Anyway, co-pilot was just checking cables and what have you inside the compartment, so went in forward, backed out, then straight down through the hatch which had been opened, on to the concrete 20 odd feet below.
It looks very elegant and different.
Admiral Beez
Major
The design was innovative. Tons of internal space and easy access for a WW2 transport.
Check out the wide side doors.
This 360 panorama pic is informative of the internal volume.
Burnelli CBY-3 'Loadmaster' Cockpit Jun 14 360 Panorama | 360Cities
