The most beautiful airplane

[aviatoreb]

I should say it is N10933, and she is one gorgeous airplane - but please don't tell my Mooney, but I have been looking at internet airplane porn:

 

http://bugatti100p.com

 

That Bugatti must be the most beautiful airplane ever drawn, (not yet flown), in the late 1930s but Bugatti the car artist, art deco beauty.

 

And a very interesting design with forward swept wings, a split v-tail with a lower fin, and of course a very interesting twin engine system driving two props as center thrust with both props at the nose - props in front of the pilot but engines behind and a central drive powering two props.

 

Cool!

 

What else is out there airplane friends?

[Cruiser]

Interesting. Are there any other examples of "airplanes" that never actually flew? I hesitate to agree that it is actually an "airplane" when it never actually got into the air. It certainly is a prototype of a possible airplane. But even as a prototype having never flown especially with the futuristic design, it may never have proven to be capable of controlled flight.

 

if the definition of airplane is some sketches on paper and a mock up model I think I will build one tomorrow in my garage.

[carusoam]

The Bugatti is precious...

But, nobody has worked out the long drive shaft stability/flex/space challenge yet. BD aircraft (pusher) was equally challenged by displacing the engine from the prop...

This one has a shaft rotating at 2700 or so rpm under the pilot's butt and between his legs???

I would request some special protection for the pilot.

Maybe there is new Corvette drive shaft technology that applies.

Best regards,

-a-

That is clearly the second most beautiful airplane. It clearly has got homely ruddervators that only Alan can love!

[DS1980]

I've been following this too, and yes, it is the most beautiful plane ever built, followed closely by the P-51D. I just hope it doesn't fly like a pig, or rip the genitals off of those who fly it.

[Dave Marten]

Extended driveshafts in aircraft were solved 70 years ago with the P-39 Airacobra and P-63 King Cobra. The P-63 was powered by mid fuselage mounted 1800hp V-12 and ran the driveshaft forward under the pilot. They didn't have a problem. Incidentally more of these quirky little P-39s and P-63s were built then the total production of run of all Mooney aircraft to date.

The Bugatti guys do have two articulated shafts to deal with. I eagerly look forward to their success!

To me the most beautiful airplane is the XB-70 Valkyrie. Of course I'm biased toward such types.

[Awqward]

How about the 301....

Pretty cool...

[Marauder]

I have always loved the looks of the Hughes H-1, the P-39 and of course my beloved B-26.

[Super Dave]

I have always loved the looks of the Hughes H-1, the P-39 and of course my beloved B-26.

Your beloved Martin B-26 is going to be jelous when she finds out that you posted a pictures of a Douglas B-26 Invader!

[pinerunner]

It looks a bit like a giant BD-5 rigged as a taildragger and with counterrotating puller prop.  i wonder if Jim Bede had ever seen it.

[flyboy0681]

For single engine GA I always loved the looks (but not performance) of the Commander 114/115, for classic military it's the B-25 Mitchell. For airliners definitely the 707.

 

But for real excitement, Dave Marten hit the nail on the head with the Valkyrie.

[Marauder]

Your beloved Martin B-26 is going to be jelous when she finds out that you posted a pictures of a Douglas B-26 Invader!

Oops....

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[aviatoreb]

Interesting. Are there any other examples of "airplanes" that never actually flew? I hesitate to agree that it is actually an "airplane" when it never actually got into the air. It certainly is a prototype of a possible airplane. But even as a prototype having never flown especially with the futuristic design, it may never have proven to be capable of controlled flight.

 

if the definition of airplane is some sketches on paper and a mock up model I think I will build one tomorrow in my garage.

 

Ummm…that sounds as if it is related to another very deep and contentious debate that I hope does not roll here on Mooneyspace.  Are you asking when is the moment of first "life" for an airplane?  Conception (drawing), or gestation (build), or beginning of third trimester (first flight), or birth (certification)?  :-O  No never mind…let's skip this!  :-/

 

 

The Bugatti is precious...

...

I would request some special protection for the pilot.

 

You can wear an "FAA approve" cup.

 

ANYWAY!  Cool collection of airplanes guys!  Wow - that XB-70 Valkyrie is pretty awesome.

[Marauder]

I think I saw the XB-70 at Wright-Patterson's museum.

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[scottfromiowa]

P-61 black widow way better looking than other bombers....except for Mosquitto. Beauty includes sound and while the Lancaster had four RollsRoyce Merlin's to the Mosquitto's two...it wins the two-engined bomber beauty contest. Calling a bomber "beautiful" must include tongue in cheek. The spitfire wins hands down in beauty contest for war birds. I took a bunch of photos of a copy of Hugh's plane at Oshkosh years ago. Sadly the pilot was lost and plane destroyed in crash while returning home from show.

When a Spit is next others it looks like a functional work of art. Not deadly, though it was, but beautiful. There are photos of a polished aluminum version out there. Yummy.

[Danb]

I have a difficult time not lusting over a Navy/Marine Corsair...for an affordable plane a Christian Eagle is pretty cool looking...at least affordable

[scottfromiowa]

P-39= Bell air cobra (engine behind pilot) single seat side door fighter. Big lend lease Russian fighter. Cannon in nose a center-line killing machine...like the Lockeed P-38 Lightning. Fork Tailed devil twin engine fighter used by Ira Bong to lead all USA in WWII confirmed kills.

Marauder having a bad aircraft ID day

[Bennett]

There is a fill scale replica of the Bugatti in the EAA Museum at Oshkosh. Beautiful aircraft, and magnificently displayed. I hope she flies as well as she looks.

[Cruiser]

Ummm…that sounds as if it is related to another very deep and contentious debate that I hope does not roll here on Mooneyspace.  Are you asking when is the moment of first "life" for an airplane?  Conception (drawing), or gestation (build), or beginning of third trimester (first flight), or birth (certification)?  :-O  No never mind…let's skip this!  :-/

 

 

 

Hmmm........ I have this vision of the most beautiful ...err, ahmm, aaahh, sorry I was distracted... airplane in my mind.  Too bad the rest of you can't see it 

[Oscar Avalle]

Indeed, beautiful!!! Bennet I also saw the replica in the EAA museum...

[scottfromiowa]

Extended driveshafts in aircraft were solved 70 years ago with the P-39 Airacobra and P-63 King Cobra. The P-63 was powered by mid fuselage mounted 1800hp V-12 and ran the driveshaft forward under the pilot. They didn't have a problem. Incidentally more of these quirky little P-39s and P-63s were built then the total production of run of all Mooney aircraft to date.

The Bugatti guys do have two articulated shafts to deal with. I eagerly look forward to their success!

To me the most beautiful airplane is the XB-70 Valkyrie. Of course I'm biased toward such types.

image.jpgimage.jpg

Beautiful, but I like the dark side so SR-71 Black Bird gets my nod as "The most beautiful aircraft ever flown"....or maybe the F-104 Starfighter

[aviatoreb]

Beautiful, but I like the dark side so SR-71 Black Bird gets my nod as "The most beautiful aircraft ever flown"....or maybe the F-104 Starfighter

 

I looove the SR71.  That's the Darth Vadar-chic of airplanes.  It just oozes raw speed and power.

 

In my book:

 

The Bugatti wins the Art Deco prize.

 

P51 wins the all American power-roar prize and the one I would most likely buy after I win power ball.

 

N10933 is definitely the most beautiful airplane in my hangar prize - and the one I most want to have in my real life (i.e., I am not browsing controller wishing I had something else- I am one lucky guy).

[John Pleisse]

The Cessna 195-B Business Liner. Wish I had the talent to buy, own and even land one.

[David Mazer]

At least one other person mentioned the SR-71, my all time favorite, but I also find the Beech Staggerwing to be a beauty beyond description.

 

 

[scottfromiowa]

Multiple Russian Aces in P-39.  Best served in the ground attack role.  They mounted a tank busting cannon in the P-39.  Like the Allison engine P-51 it just didn't perform well in the flight levels. (Where most BOB battles were fought)....But down low with a pilot that knew the plane they were effective.  Agree that the idea of such a long driveshaft is kooky.  It did have a pilot side exit door

[scottfromiowa]

German pilots were superior in skill (numbers of Experten) during this period.  I agree that 109 was superior to the P-39...but they were not junk down low.  Bud Anderson liked them...but again compared to a P-51 up high...

 

Yes, the Yaks did have wing/looks of a Spitfire.  Probably copied it as they were lend lease too.