Topic: The most beautiful aircraft is...?

Just a bit of fun, and no pwizes at the end;

What do you think is the most beautifully designed aircraft ever made? Not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing; but beautiful in that it does exactly what it was intended to do, but with beautiful design. For instance, you might think the C130 is a contender because it's a bit like an airborne Landrover, and has a go anywhere capability. Or you might think the Flying Flea is of it's type and unbeatable and beautiful. Please give your reasons...as many nominations as you like.. 

Spitfire Mk1A - quite simply the most beautiful designed object of all time, not just the most beautiful aircraft. No other aeroplane comes anywhere close.

In the eye of the beholder....

MIG 15

But I do like the Mk IX spit

De Havilland Dragon Rapide. Just simply elegant.

Blimey thats actually quite a tough question.

If it was down to aesthetics and covered all categories then I would probably go for Concorde, but then I have been around Saab Viggens in flight and they are just absolutely awesome.

Beauty is in the beholder and you're just as likely to get someone who rates a Ka52 alongside a Feisler Storch. Both of which I think are beautiful in their own way.

If it was down to just cracking lines you would probably go Fox

DH88 fulfills all your criteria - beautiful(est) lines - did exactly what it was intended to do

No contest. Mk 9 Spit
    Dave C

Mk 9 Spit. Then Hunter (any mark) and Mk II Hurricane......(shocked faces all round  )

DFW T28
Pfalz D12
Mr Mulligan
Bristol Beaufighter
B29

Concord

Ooooh Roger - expected to to plump for an asw, ash or discus maybe...

But I can see where you're coming from...

MkXIV Spit

PDR

MkXIV Spit

PDR

Griffon and pointy fin....yep, nice.

Another vote for the X1V.

m

Buccaneer, Macho and very pactical
Hunter
P51D
Spifire Mk1X

vulcan bomber
Pitts Special S1S
Bucker Jungmeister

De Havilland Dragon Rapide. Just simply elegant.

That is the correct answer. You win 

Hughes H-1, obviously.

In no particular order.

Miles Hawk Speed 6

Miles Hawk Speed 6 by Si Robertshaw, on Flickr
Dragon Rapide

De Havilland DH-89 Dragon Rapide 09 by J.A. Cifuentes, on Flickr
Vulcan

Vulcan by jon ayres, on Flickr

Hughes H-1, obviously.

 raise yo an ASH 25 ....

he he....

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhpGSyuhDz4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhpGSyuhDz4</a>

That was just weird !!

Quite good though 

in the eye of the beholder.......

Early Hawker Hunters.

The pitts S1s



CM

i would say the super guppy and concord

I have three catagories
Bi plane
Sopwith Camel
SE5A
DH82A
WWll
Hurricane
Beaufighter
FW190
Jetage
Seahawk
Hunter
Buccaneer
Phantom F4K (beast)
If I had to choose one it would have to be the Seahawk
John

Early Hawker Hunters.

odd as it seems, I like this:

most of the burt rutan designs are very nice too although strange

Spitfire Mk IX

Hunter - early before the sawtooth LE

Concorde

Mike

Okay my ones in no particular order

Mossie MK IV...beautiful fron any angle

Spitfire XIV....ooozes testosterone

Buccaneer....Did what was promised, hard as nails.

Hunter pre saw tooth...probably the most beautiful jet fighter ever designed.

Tiger Moth...simple, basic, lovely

VC 10--that elegant T tail

Well mine may seem a bit strange to some of you, they are:
Saab Viggen
Britten Norman Islander
Why? because they have both made a big impression on me - the Viggen because I saw it at my first Farnborough air show, the Islander because it was my first plane ride.

It was Farnborough that I saw the Viggen. Its the only aircraft Ive seen take off that has given me the same shiver down the spine that a Vulcan does.

Its so impressive

It was Farnborough that I saw the Viggen. Its the only aircraft Ive seen take off that has given me the same shiver down the spine that a Vulcan does.

Its so impressive

I know exactly what you mean, afterburners cut in and they went vertical until out of sight; boy oh boy was that amazing.....and the noise...,

Gannet

Mosquito FB VI
Hunter
Bronco
A-10
F-15
SR-71

Steve

Well, I seem to be the first for the Avro Lancaster - A machine with a single purpose which it meets to perfection.

After that you can count Concorde for the same reason and the Seahawk simply because it looks pretty!

Finally the MacDac Phantom - Another machine which has a clear purpose and delivers.

EE Lightning - well I think it's beautiful.
Airspeed Oxford

One word.

Hunter

Charlie C

Cessna 172.