Author Topic: Most Beautiful Airplane Ever Built (Read 9724 times)

Bob Zambelli · « **on:** March 23, 2007, 10:42:14 AM »

There was a recent poll form the AOPA to determine people's opinion as to the most beautiful full size aircraft ever constructed.

Hands down winner (drum roll please) was the Beech 17,

Better know as the STAGGERWING.

Needless to say, I'm not surprised!!

Bob Z.

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2007, 01:48:25 PM »

Sounds quite right to me also. Its for sure been my favorite for years.
Lee TGD

Paul Smith · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2007, 02:18:12 PM »

I read a book in which it was noted that the wife of the Emperor of Japan looked up at a formation of Boeing B-29's making contrials high above and remarked that that was the best-looking airplane she had ever seen.

Chris McMillin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2007, 02:25:20 PM »

This one visited VSC.
Owner Dave Passannante brought his two boys Joe and John whom are C/L stunt flyers too.
Chris...

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2007, 04:56:34 PM »

There are just to many to choose from. Maybe if you knocked it down to several categories I might be able to choose. The Ryan SCW has always impressed me. Here's a shot of one I borrowed that has an inline motor. The Ryan STA is pretty sharp looking also. Among airliners I've always been a fan of the Lockheed Constellatons.

Bob Disharoon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2007, 05:06:47 PM »

The lockheed Connies are my favorite as well..In 1963 I flew from d.c. to England on one of them..a charter flight...took about 20 hrs. total and the seating was VERY tight.This may have been one of the last commercial flights for the Connie..Ill never forget it!!...BOB

Paul Smith · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2007, 06:27:13 PM »

The AOPA voters can be expected to vote for something they can identify with, hence the Beech 17, and other single engine GA stuff.

The Lockheed Constellation is a real beauty, for those of us who can afford one.
Homeland Security makes it tough to fly your own B-29.

Marvin Denny · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2007, 07:23:15 PM »

My vote goes to the "Magnesium Overcast"

Bigiron

Trostle · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2007, 09:06:04 PM »

Depending on classification of aircraft, there are several on my list of "most attractive" aircraft.

Small racing planes: Original Shoestring
Prop driven warplanes: De Havilland Hornet/Sea Hornet (without the "bulged" nose on some)
Jet warplanes: Boeing B-47 Stratojet
Other: Republic XF-12 Rainbow (designed for reconnaisance role, contemplated as an airliner)

Keith Trostle

Joe Gilbert · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2007, 09:01:39 AM »

The Spartan Executive is another super airplane. Just did not build very many of them

Chuck Feldman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:10:37 PM »

Great Lakes Biplane

Chuck Feldman

Jim Pollock · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:24:24 PM »

Well, Well,

There are certainly a lot of choices! I guess my vote for bet looking full size aircraft would be:

Drum Roll!: The - SR-71

A classic case of form fitting function - exactly!

Now, for my Idea of best looking model - there is absolutely no contest here - - The Minado!

Jim Pollock

Garf · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2007, 07:10:57 PM »

I have always liked the DeHavelline Dragon Rapide.

Ralph Wenzel (d) · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2007, 03:13:43 AM »

Quote from: Bob Zambelli on March 23, 2007, 10:42:14 AM

There was a recent poll form the AOPA to determine people's opinion as to the most beautiful full size aircraft ever constructed.

Hands down winner (drum roll please) was the Beech 17,

Better know as the STAGGERWING.

Needless to say, I'm not surprised!!

Bob Z.

Wow! Bob, you're asking for a lot of grief on his one!

Best looking PRODUCTION light plane- - Sure - - the Staggerwing Beech
Best looking Homebuilt - The "Emeraude"
Most beautiful warbird has to be the Spitfire, even though my favorite is still the JUG!
Most beautiful Commercial Passenger plane is the Super Constellation - - Someone challenge THAT selection!!!

All the above are just opinions, but they are all MINE!!!

Phil Bare · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2007, 08:41:39 AM »

Best looking airplane??...........Howard DGA..no, wait, Clipped Wing Monocoupe 110 Special, oh wait, F 86 Sabre Jet..........dang , Supermarine Racer.....P 51 Mustang....
Ryan STA Special.......Nieport 17.......Spad.......Corsair, Jug, Taylorcraft..hmmmmmmmmmmm this is hopeless..like choosing the best looking one hundred dollar bill......they are all beautifull

the original Steve Smith · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2007, 01:21:28 PM »

I don't know why but the Sea Fury has always looked good to me. That clipped elliptical wing looks great and the round nose with recessed spinner - wow.

A close second would be the CAP 10B

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:19:49 PM »

I'd hafta go with any of these.

Phil

Glen Wearden · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:25:56 PM »

To me, the most beautiful planes ever built were the ones that flew me home from both tours in Vietnam. Glen

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:26:54 PM »

Phil;

That is an awesome sight,were you there or is that second hand. I downloaded that one it's gettin framed and hung in the shop.

"Billy G"

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2007, 06:32:54 PM »

To me the most beautiful plane is the "Fork tailed Devil"
the P-38.

Clancy

john e. holliday · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2007, 08:23:30 PM »

Not being a full scale pilot I have a hard time picking one. Number 1 to me because I got to go for a ride in one and I also had a semi-scale version would be the "Staggerwing Beech". For commercial plane and I am still awed everytime it flies over is the restored Lockheed Constellation that is based in KCMo. For twin engine fighters it is a toss up with F7F Tigercat, P-38 Lightning and The Black Widow. For single engine fighters nothing beats the P-51 Mustang. My choices. For model planes it has to be Steve Wooley's "Argus". DOC Holliday

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #21 on:** March 26, 2007, 06:20:41 AM »

Bill G,

I took that picture at the 2005 Sun-N-Fun airshow, Lakeland, Fl. It's what they call a heritige fly over. It was a very heart grabbing sight to behold , there were probably 40-50 thousand people roaming the airport facility and when they did it the place became nearly silent except for the national anthem. They made several passes.....this was my best picture of the day.

Phil

phil c · « **Reply #22 on:** March 26, 2007, 07:21:39 AM »

I like the Waco SRE bipes better than the Staggerwing. Lighter looking lines, daintier. The Staggerwing is a hunk.

Emeraudes are really pretty home builts. The CAP series were developments of the E.

Nothing beats a Spitfire IX for me.

For airliners the Constellation was the last pretty one. Everything else is just a barrel on a wing.
Well, maybe a lumpy barrel like the 747.

Bill Little · « **Reply #23 on:** March 26, 2007, 07:59:00 AM »

I am having "brain lock", but I believe the proper designation is the Lockheed Sirius "Winnie Mae" with the "Eagle" paint job!

That was an AWESOME looking plane to me!

Other categories: Super Connie, P-51D, SR-71

Bill <><

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #24 on:** March 26, 2007, 10:56:01 AM »

What a great bunch of replies - as stated, the poll was for the most beautiful aircraft ever built, period.

But, if the poll was broken down to categories, here are my personal favorites/opinons:

Most beautiful overall ---------- Staggerwing
Piston warbird ------------------P-47
Meanest looking ---------------- P-47 (With full ordinance and 8 machine guns)
Jet warbird--------------------- F-104
Piston airliner------------------- Super Connie
Jet airliner---------------------- Dehaviland Comet (RIP)
Heavy bomber ----------------- B-29
Medium bomber ---------------- B-25
Jet bomber -------------------- XB 70
Helicopter --------------------- none
Low wing ---------------------- Piper Warrior PA28-151 (I'm prejudiced!)
Classic all metal ----------------Spartan Executive
Seaplane ---------------------- Clipper
Awsome/exotic/ultimate -------- SR 71
Uniquie ------------------------ Bugatti 100
Cutest ------------------------ Ercoupe (looks like a little toy)
Biggest waste in time/material/money - Hughes Hercules (Sproose Goose)

OK, guys - let's have some more commentary.

Bob Z.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #25 on:** March 26, 2007, 11:36:35 AM »

Bob;

I see there are no Helicopters listed, I can tell you this, when I was a crewchief aboard a Boeing Vertol CH-46 overseas I know a lot of "Marines" who grew to love them when getting pulled out of harms way. They were big slow and not the prettiest thing, but a welcome site none the less. If it were Army it would be the 46's big sister the CH-47.

"Billy G"

Bob Disharoon · « **Reply #26 on:** March 26, 2007, 05:38:06 PM »

I saw that flyover at the end of last years air show near Cape Canaveral. National anthem, all standing, the old vets, not even a baby crying, hot tears down my cheeks, and my "girl" under my arm....good stuff..BOB

Dennis Vander Kuur · « **Reply #27 on:** April 03, 2007, 01:53:57 PM »

Not the most beautiful flying machine ever built - the Huey helicopter. It was butt ugly, noisy, slow, and easy to hit. But UH-1H "Gator 536" never failed to bring my Army butt home from many a combat assault. There were also a multitude of GI "grunts" who were either surrounded, wounded, tired, or sick to whom the rescuing Huey was the most beautiful sight in the word.
DennisV

steve pagano · « **Reply #28 on:** April 03, 2007, 02:12:05 PM »

yowza! this is a tuff one! As for the best model my vote goes to Bob Hunt and his Genesis but as for real planes............i have a list i cant choose from

1. B-47
2. Sr-71 (i did a school report on it

)
3. B-25 (Also did a school report on the Doolittle raid)
4.P-40
5.F-18