Most Beautiful Aircraft

[Cold_Collation]

This would have left the whole wing free for fuel.

Oo, all the way to the end of the street and back, then.

 

[Rapierman]

Oo, all the way to the end of the street and back, then.

Yep I think the crashes off Flamborough proved that, Binbrook, quick spin round the north sea, right we are at Flamborough, she is empty mate, we are going swimming.

BBC Inside Out - Disappearance of RAF pilot

Incident English Electric Lightning F Mk 6 XS926, 22 Sep 1969

First flown by J. Cockburn on 30-1-67 at BAC Samlesbury. Delivered to 5 Squadron, 20-3-67. Crashed, 22-9-69 when spun into the North Sea 60 miles off Flamborough Head, North Yorkshire. Pi...

aviation-safety.net

Accident English Electric Lightning F6 XS894, 08 Sep 1970

XS894; C/N 95240 first flown by R.P. Beamont 18-3-66 at BAC Samlesbury. To 5 Squadron, 3-1-67 as 'F'. Crashed into sea 5 miles north of Flamborough Head, 8-9-70. Pilot, Capt William Schaf...

aviation-safety.net

 

[Yokel]

Shades of Nimrod MRA4 there, in that if you put enough appendages on it, it'll be stable... somehow.

The above wing tanks were to increase its range - the Lightning had point defence type roles. However the normal wing configuration did not lend itself to low speed flight, which would have been needed for the Sea Lightning landing on a carrier. Therefore variable geometry was proposed.

 

[skeetstar]

There is no way that abortion belongs on this thread.

 

[Karamoja]

Not a bad looking aeroplane, the Breguet 1001 Taon. It was the French entry for a NATO competition for a new strike fighter that was eventually won by the Fiat G-91.

 

[Yokel]

There is no way that abortion belongs on this thread.

The Lightning did have a sort of brutish appeal due to its clean lines and sheer engine power. The two seaters retained this. The redesign needed to make it carrier capable would have ruined its angry appearance, without making it particularly suited to the naval role.

This brings us back to my aircraft of what makes an aircraft aesthetically appealing? Most of us have an instinct for recognising streamlined shapes, as well as balanced things. Symmetry is attractive.

 

[Browning Bow]

There is no way that abortion belongs on this thread.

Dunno quite like it myself.

 

[smartarse]

This is nice

 

[robinrocket111]

This is nice

View attachment 672552

Like a Beaufighter with a more elegant nose!

 

[Yokel]

Dunno quite like it myself.

You quite like what? The proposed Sea Lightning?

The Lightning was designed to get off the ground quickly and climb rapidly to do a short range intercept, operating from major bases with long runways. It did not need things like good low speed handling. I think that it was mainly intended to defend the V bomber bases so it did not need too much range, and this helped with the exceptional climb rate.

However low speed handling is needed for carrier operations and the flight profile is different. How much heavier would the aircraft be after the mechanism for variable geometry and a strengthen fuselage and undercarriage were added, as well as the extra fuel needed for the naval fighter mission?

 

[Cold_Collation]

You quite like what? The proposed Sea Lightning?

The Lightning was designed to get off the ground quickly and climb rapidly to do a short range intercept, operating from major bases with long runways. It did not need things like good low speed handling. I think that it was mainly intended to defend the V bomber bases so it did not need too much range, and this helped with the exceptional climb rate.

However low speed handling is needed for carrier operations and the flight profile is different. How much heavier would the aircraft be after the mechanism for variable geometry and a strengthen fuselage and undercarriage were added, as well as the extra fuel needed for the naval fighter mission?

You do reach a point where a clean sheet of paper is needed/preferable.

I'm always dubious when the 'We can do this, if we change this, this and this...' card is played.

For maritime, it's best to start from scratch. The right answer, in all respects, was the F-4.

 

[UKAviationGroup]

Just in case its not been covered.

I have see this up close.

Now a wreck and no more transporting round the world and a real eye opener when it lands/takes off.

 

[Browning Bow]

Just in case its not been covered.
View attachment 673477
I have see this up close.

View attachment 673479
Now a wreck and no more transporting round the world and a real eye opener when it landed/took off.

 

[Civvy Scum]

Not a bad looking aeroplane, the Breguet 1001 Taon. It was the French entry for a NATO competition for a new strike fighter that was eventually won by the Fiat G-91.

View attachment 672463

Looks like an overgrown Gnat.

 

[Civvy Scum]

This is nice

View attachment 672552

Looks a bit nippy

 

[tiv]

Looks like an overgrown Gnat.

It was up against the Gnat in the competition won by the frugley FIAT G91

 

[Karamoja]

Looks like an overgrown Gnat.

Actually the Gnat was also in the competition.

 

[Karamoja]

Just in case its not been covered.
View attachment 673477
I have see this up close.

View attachment 673479
Now a wreck and no more transporting round the world and a real eye opener when it lands/takes off.

Perhaps but hardly beautiful is it?

 

[CaptainRidiculous]

Looks like an overgrown Gnat.

gnat could have dome an airshow inside that hull!

 

[Grim_Squeaker85]

Perhaps but hardly beautiful is it?

I dunno. There is something about it that appeals. Maybe not beautiful but not ugly. Something something.