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What's the most beautiful plane ever built?

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  • Member since
    June 2011
What's the most beautiful plane ever built?
Posted by high and the mighty on Thursday, December 15, 2011 8:19 AM

Here's the start of a thread that should be fascinating.  What is the most beautiful plane ever built? There are so many terrific choices--my own would include a dozen or more, from the gorgeous XB-70 and the streamlined glass of the Spitfire to the perfect symmetry of the Pfalz D3 and the elegance of the Constellation.  What do you think abd why? 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Houston, Texas
Posted by panzerpilot on Thursday, December 15, 2011 8:47 AM

So many to reflect on, but I am going with the P51D. It just looks like it is going 400Knots, sitting on the ground. The lines on it are perfect. A very close second is the F-16.

-Tom

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Louisville, KY
Posted by pordoi on Thursday, December 15, 2011 8:52 AM

Sukhoi SU-27

 

Don

 

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:08 AM

I would have to go with the P-51D but there are so many others right behind.

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by TD4438 on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:11 AM

The P-40 and B-17 will always be my two favorites.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:27 AM

Duh...

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    July 2010
Posted by jbrady on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:37 AM

DoogsATX

Duh...

http://www.world-war-2-planes.com/images/P-47_infl_600_long.jpg

A baby warthog is beautiful... to its mama... why is the national insignia on the wrong wing?

   

Dre
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: here, not over there
Posted by Dre on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:44 AM

Without a doubt, it is the Su-27 UB Flanker C.  The single-seat B is graceful, but the two-seaters are elegant.

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:50 AM

I dunno...grabbed that off Google image search. Looks like someone reversed the image (look at the tail numbers)

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, TX
Posted by laddjosh on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:50 AM

Well, since you didn't specify that it had to be a warbird, I'm going to say a Dassault Falcon 7X.

It's a 10-14 seat, 3 enigine corporate aircraft.

In my opinion, for a plane to be beautiful it needs to be aerodynamically clean. If a plane has vortex generators, ventral fins, etc. they are there for a reason.and it ruins the look. They are usual there to cover up or mask some bad handling characteristics at slower speeds. The 3 engine Falcon family of aircraft have never had any devices bolted on to enhance handling or subdue bad characteristics, Just a smooth wing and fuselage.

PERFECT

  • Member since
    March 2011
B-58 Hustler
Posted by mhuhtala on Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:59 AM
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:14 AM

It's a toss-up for me between the F-16 and the Pfalz D.III - like 'em both. I'd be hard-pressed to find anything from WWII or any other conflict that can match the clean lines of those two aircraft.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:15 AM

The most beautiful plane is the one you are piloting! Sure you can look at another airplane and dream, but flying the one you've got is the most beautiful because she's yours...goes for wives as well.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:26 AM

HawkeyeHobbies

The most beautiful plane is the one you are piloting! Sure you can look at another airplane and dream, but flying the one you've got is the most beautiful because she's yours...goes for wives as well.

Can't argue with Gerald. Still since I'm not a private pilot I guess have to go with something else though.

Personally, I'll go with the Spitfire Mk XIV. I love the look of the earlier Merlin machines but there's just something about the Griffin spits. They had the grace of the earlier planes but mixed with the gigantic engine and prop a certain brutal appearence. Reminds me somewhat of an orca or mako shark- brute power and elegance at the same time.

IMHO anyway- your mileage may vary...

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:31 AM

Boeing Model 314, the Clippers for Civvie..

and for military.. P-38.. i'm kinda like Doogs.. a tad biased.. lol ( especially the X and Y models..)

[Photobucket]

  • Member since
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  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:33 AM

"And here.. My prize... The Black Widow.. Isn't she lovely and so deadly..."-Vincent Price

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:41 AM

My second thought on this question...The one that brought me home from long deployments overseas! The Freedom Bird was such a beautiful aircraft...even if one felt like they were riding in a livestock trailer packed to capacity! LOL

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Nebraska, USA
Posted by CallSignOWL on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:43 AM

Su-27 Flanker, for sure. IF there ever was a plane that just screamed fighter, this is it!

------------------------

Now that I'm here, where am I??

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:59 AM

Is that the Great Wall one?

Mine would be the Sud Caravelle. The first mid range transport jet in the US.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:14 AM

So many to choose from. I'm still throwing my vote behind theshark-like lines of the Me262, without Adolf's bombs hanging off its undersides of course...

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Dungmaggot on Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:22 AM

I'm a sucker for "ugly" aircraft so I have to go witht he BV 141 or the BV 222.  Both are hideous to look at but innovation, creativity, and thinking outside the box makes them beautiful to me.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wherever the hunt takes me
Posted by Boba Fett on Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:26 AM

Lockheed Super-Constellation in TWA markings.

That is all.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:33 AM

Avro Shackleton!

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Leonardtown, Maryland
Posted by Greenshirt on Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:33 AM

Beech Staggerwing (both civil and military versions)

 

On the bench (all 72nd):

  • 7 Spitfires & Seafires
  • Wellington III
  • N-9H Navy Jenny

  • Member since
    October 2008
Posted by eatthis on Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:41 AM

mean as hell? yes (as is the f14 and the bac lightning)

beautiful? are you BLIND? lol

 

my top 5 in no particular order is

xb70

hunter

 

concorde

 

spitfire

tsr 2

 

 

snow + 4wd + escessive hp = :)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7egUIS70YM

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Thursday, December 15, 2011 12:46 PM

Giddy-up, giddy-up 109!!!!!!

 

Karsten Plat.

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Green Bay, WI USA
Posted by echolmberg on Thursday, December 15, 2011 12:55 PM

Of all the answers here, Hans VH is the only one who is correct.  It's the P-61.  Why?  Because she's beautifully proportioned in every way while, at the same time, so very deadly looking.  She's the total package.

Eric 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Frisco, TX
Posted by B17Pilot on Thursday, December 15, 2011 1:06 PM

Pretty obvious, wasn't it?

  

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Thursday, December 15, 2011 1:07 PM

My choice is the Reggiane Re.2005 Sagitarrio, the sexy Italian first cousin to the P-47.

 

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, December 15, 2011 1:27 PM


   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

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