Aviation MegaThread!!!!

When you guys come in to land, do you ever feel a need to land and stay to one side of the dotted line and check over your shoulder before you cross it?

I think your politics is clouding your sense of aesthetic.

I think both side were pretty until about the mid 60s when both sides started slapping on a lot of new weapons systems, etc.

Everyone's built ugly bombers. B-52? Come on. Makes a Bear look downright stylish. However, Britains V-bombers were all quite attractive.

Fighters are a wash: English Electric Lightning? I'm British and it still makes me wince.

We won't even start into the A-10.

Pretty is as pretty does, I say.

No way.

Way.

Dude, it's ugly.

Blech.

That might be kinda cool without the boom.

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Political, and marketing, suicide.



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I've always liked the look of the Boeing, though.

:huh

Pretty is as pretty does.

It's like the original R1100RS. I thought it was awful when it first came out, but now, I think it's one of the most beautiful designs I've ever seen.

I think there's an association that happens over time to create the sentiments we deem attractive. You didn't have the chance/experience to develop those sentiments with soviet era aircraft.

I remember the first time I looked at an R75/5 (near the main gate to Plattsburgh AFB, btw) I thought it was the goofiest looking thing I'd ever seen. Now, after tens of thousands of enjoyable miles on /5's I think they're one of the most elegant designs ever created.

Bell X-14

There's a reason that one never made it past the "X" phase.

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When it snows here, the ones over by our school flip up in the air like those tractors in the movie Cars.