WW11 the most aesthetically attractive aircraft.

[Peej]

Got to update my earlier post. It's still the Lanc. Just had them both fly over my house together. Fantastic sight and sound

[stona]

I don't see much difference in the design principles and overall look of the various European aircraft, including of course the RAF and Luftwaffe's. All the designers were familiar with each others work if they didn't know each other personally. For example Beverly Shenstone of Supermarine and Spitfire fame had worked in Germany with Alexander Lippisch and for Junkers. Lippisch very nearly came to work at Supermarine as late as 1938. Instead he went on to design the Me 163.

Form follows function which is why the Spitfire and Bf 109 are both small aircraft fitted with the most powerful engine available, substantial armament (for the time) and of limited range.

American aircraft were different. Fighters were much bigger and some had the benefit of a few more years development before being committed to the fray. The two principle 'heavy' bombers were designed on somewhat different principles to our Halifax and Lancaster (the Germans hardly did four engine strategic bombers) and as a result looked different and carried a fraction of the bomb load.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

For me it's the Bf 109G-2

Just something about the looks...

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[Guest]

I would agree with you Doug. I have always categorized aircraft like cars. This is an the aesthetic appeal.

German very BMW austere and no frills hard lines.

British a rather like an E Type Jag soft lines.

American. Ford Mustang. Very stated in its purpose.

Not an expert by any means but German Machines were it seems very follow each other. Whereas British machines seem to diversify. Mosquito with its Balsa Sandwich shoot a bit away and it all held together. Swordfish with material and dope as the Hurricane. Spitfire with the countersunk rivets. Wellington with geodetic framework,shoot a bit away and it still has integrity.

That has inevitably opened up another can of big worms. Good fun and interesting.

Laurie

[Guest]

The Me-262.

With the jet engines and tricycle landing gear it was years ahead of anything else in the skies (with the possible exception of the Meteor).

Like the Titanic, she just has nice lines and is easy to look at.

[stona]

For me it's the Bf 109G-2

The G-2 is close enough to the F for me to have no problem agreeing with you, as far as Luftwaffe fighters go

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

For me is the Stuka

Don't think is just because I have finished this model today...I posted she was my favorite one on the first post of the under construction thread!

The reasons...?

There's something that I cannot explain...I love her "silhouette", she looks robust and estilized at the same time, fascinating! Just take a look at the landing legs

The flaps out of the wings, the short space between the cabin and spinner...

The Stuka is my plane

[Guest]

I would agree with you Doug. I have always categorized aircraft like cars. This is an the aesthetic appeal.German very BMW austere and no frills hard lines.

British a rather like an E Type Jag soft lines.

American. Ford Mustang. Very stated in its purpose.

Oh Laurie, you do make me chuckle! How can you compare WWII aircraft to cars built 20 years+ later?

In machinery form is dictated by function. And to a lesser extent, the technology on hand.

The idea that racial stereotypes affect how something is built surely

belongs back in the past? No BMW that I've owned could be described as 'austere'!

A good and thought-provoking thread!

[Guest]

I`ve always liked the Focke Wulf Condor, there is something about this aircraft that has always fascinated me, It really is a lovely looking aircraft.

[Guest]

Oh Laurie, you do make me chuckle! How can you compare WWII aircraft to cars built 20 years+ later?In machinery form is dictated by function. And to a lesser extent, the technology on hand.

The idea that racial stereotypes affect how something is built surely

belongs back in the past? No BMW that I've owned could be described as 'austere'!

A good and thought-provoking thread!

Ah dear Patrick you missed the point of the thread.

"WW11. The most aesthetically attractive aircraft".

Having practised in the architectural profession for 50 years I am aware of of the influence of technology in design plus a whole host of other wretched things. But the question was/is, although you can with pleasure expand the parameters, the pleasing of the design to the eye no more no less.

Laurie

[Guest]

The G-2 is close enough to the F for me to have no problem agreeing with you, as far as Luftwaffe fighters go Cheers

Steve

Yep. Close call between an F-4 and a G-2...

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[Guest]

But the question was/is, although you can with pleasure expand the parameters, the pleasing of the design to the eye no more no less.Laurie

Perhaps I'd understand it better if posts were written in English! :P

[flyjoe180]

My personal top ten:

1. Early Supermarine Spitfires (I-V) - who can say that elliptical wing is not a thing of beauty?

2. de Havilland Mosquito - The most beautiful twin engined aircraft of the Second World War. The entire aeroplane just looks right from any angle.

3. P-51D Mustang - The classic clean shape of arguably the greatest American fighter is an icon in its own right. It would make almost any list.

4. Avro Lancaster - The big stick in the British arsenal with all the bits in the right place and the twin tail fins.

5. Bf-109F/early G models - Beautifully rounded and shaped, before they stuck on all those bulges and gondolas.

6. Hawker Hurricane - Harking from an older generation of fighter, but it always looks right to me and deserves a place due to it's lovely wing shape and tidy profile.

7. Douglas C-47 Dakota - Curves and shape that belies its role as a transporter. Another true icon.

8. Hawker Tempest V - Even with that huge intake under the nose, the Tempest V just looks awesome. A mixture of power and beauty.

9. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress - It was either this or the He111 for me, but the Fort wins because, like the C-47, it is shaped beautifully and truly purposeful.

10. Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk/Warhawk - Like the Hurricane, from an older generation but another icon. Nicely shaped with a 'classic' Second World War style canopy. Like the others, almost anyone can identify a P-40.

[Guest]

Now what about the weird ones.

Catalina Flying Boat

Walrus

Lysander

Swordfish

Constructed all of these. Like them all but they are off beat with a fascination.

I do not know much about German aircraft but a few as I have seen would go on my list.

One that I do like is the Heinkel HE111 with all that "glass". This is from school boy days looking at ircraft books.

Laurie

[yak face]

Ive thunk long and hard about this one and whittled it down to three contenders . The Mosquito , the ME 262 ,the Spitfire , the Macchi 202 folgore,the Mitsubishi KI 46 Dinah,the BF 109F, OOPS!! - it started as 3 but as I typed the list just grew!!!! If I HAD to choose a number one I guess it would be the Mosquito (even then I had last minute doubts and nearly picked the ME 262 !!) The slender fuselage and delicate tail , combined with the neat installation of the twin Merlins is a purposeful yet sleek package.The method of construction (mainly plywood skinned ) also contributes to an extremely smooth finish with very few visible panel lines . An excellent thought provoking thread weve got here , just shows the difference in peoples ideas of what makes a beautiful aircraft, plus the bonus of making us remember some we might have forgotten ,although thats a bit of a double edged sword- its making me want to start looking for kits of them!!! Tony