Cool and Ugly Looking Airplanes

[Ambidexter]

A couple of helicopters.

Sikorsky CH-54 Skycrane - Ugly

Bell AH-1 Cobra - Cool

 

[say1988]

I don't like many helicopters, they look so awkward. There are some exceptions though:

The more traditional helicopter shape (especially that of attack helicopters with the sharp edges) doesn't cut it. Looks even better on MASH, but still nice.

Though it is an impressive site (even in videos) when you see a fleet of helicopters moving in on an objective (Apocalypse Now, We Were Soldiers, etc..), IMO when going for the impressive shot, it beats a fleet of fixed wing aircraft hands down. And I definitely would not want to see the front end of a Hind/Apache who didn't want to be my friend.

 

[mr_lewington]

In terms of Helicopters, nothing is cooler looking than the Hind, but perhaps that's its own thread

 

[Dachs]

In terms of Helicopters, nothing is cooler looking than the Hind, but perhaps that's its own thread

That is not an 'airplane', it is clearly a flying tank. Learn your Soviet-era military doctrine!

 

[Taras Bulba]

That is not an 'airplane', it is clearly a flying tank. Learn your Soviet-era military doctrine!

I'd say this was more of the flying tank, if you ask me

 

[Dachs]

I'd say this was more of the flying tank, if you ask me

Red Bull gives you wiiiiiiings:

 

[Taras Bulba]

Red Bull gives you wiiiiiiings:

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

that's freakin' awesome! I want one!

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Too bad it didn't work. Gotta credit the Reds for trying, though.

 

[privatehudson]

One of the local photography firms where I live was owned by a gentleman who spent WW2 taking photos of experimental aircraft and formations like the paratroopers. One of his jobs was to photograph this experimental "flying-jeep" during test runs. Without assistance it was impossible to do more than lift the front wheels from the ground, only by being towed behind a fast car or plane could it get and remain airborne, but even then only at very low heights.

They might have ironed out the problems but before further tests could be carried out various gliders were in production (inc the Hamilcar which could carry a light tank) making it redundant.

 

[Ambidexter]

Here's a some other odd-looking aircraft, the Lockheed X-26:

the Stearman-Hammond JH:

and the Hall PH:

 

[Azkonus]

Two cool pictures from TuAF

Spoiler :

Spoiler :

 

[Annex]

Cant decide if this is cool or ugly. maybe a bit of both.

 

[Dachs]

The Salamander eh? I'd go for all ugly. As for cool:

Spoiler cool :

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

I've always had a soft spot for the PBY Catalina.

 

[citedon]

This is still on the drawing board, but it looks interesting.

 

[Dachs]

This is still on the drawing board, but it looks interesting.

I think that the ekranoplan has already been cited in either this thread or the Ships one.

 

[say1988]

I've always had a soft spot for the PBY Catalina.

Cool aircraft, with a great history. But horrifyingly ugly. So many great stories about them, though

That is another aircraft, that I like. Not the best looking, but like the Catalina, an great airplane with tons of interesting stories.
No it is not primarily a military plane (though it was used extensively), but that was the best looking pic on wiki

 

[Longus]

The English Electric F6 Lightning

Very fast. Very Pretty.

 

[Annex]

I like the C-17

Spoiler :

 

[Azkonus]