[Epapazian]

I was evaluating a kit of the Fairey Barracuda recently and I was struck by how ugly this fairly capable RAF torpedo bomber was. Then I ran down the list of WW II planes, excluding biplanes as these really have little chance in a beauty contest with Spitfires, FW-190Ds, etc., and it soon became obvious that the Barracuda had lots of competition for the title of ugliest monoplane used in that epic conflict. Interestingly, the Brits seemed to specialize in this area. Their list of eyesores includes the York, Albemarle, Wellesley, Skua, and Whitley but other countries did their best to compete. As examples, consider the U.S. Vultee A-35 Vengence or Brewester Buffalo; or you might take a look at Italy's Fiat BR-20 bomber, Germany"s BV-141, Japan's Kyushu Q1W1 "Lorna", or the incredibly ungainly Russian TB-3 four-engined bomber/troop transport. What do you guys think? Aside from the Buffalo and Skua, which have already been done in diecast would you buy any of these other "beauties"if Corgi, Dragon, HM, et.al. tried to market them? Would their performance outweigh their looks?

[Shawn 507]

Its the Spitfire, hands down!
- Shawn

[Shamrock]

Sorry Shawn gotta disagree with you. Everyone knows its the Mustang!! Put on helmet, armour shield and wait for incoming

[swoop]

Shawn, That is not a opinion. "IT"S A WISECRACK'. If you don't like anything that is British say so. You have indicated that sentiment on previous posts so Clear the wide the blue yonder and tell us what you really think.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Its the Spitfire, hands down!
- Shawn

If you mean the Spitfire MK.I/hydro (Type 342 ) a hybrid seaplane with twin floats, you may have a point. As I understand it, the RAF was so taken aback by this plane's looks that they hurriedly scrapped it. But then there is the even less well-known experiment the U.S. Army Air Force carried with an early P-51. This attempted to modify the Mustang for hard landings on dirt strips and mated it with fixed main wheels, including spats, from a captured Stuka.

[jim]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I was evaluating a kit of the Fairey Barracuda recently and I was struck by how ugly this fairly capable RAF torpedo bomber was. Then I ran down the list of WW II planes, excluding biplanes as these really have little chance in a beauty contest with Spitfires, FW-190Ds, etc., and it soon became obvious that the Barracuda had lots of competition for the title of ugliest monoplane used in that epic conflict. Interestingly, the Brits seemed to specialize in this area. Their list of eyesores includes the York, Albemarle, Wellesley, Skua, and Whitley but other countries did their best to compete. As examples, consider the U.S. Vultee A-35 Vengence or Brewester Buffalo; or you might take a look at Italy's Fiat BR-20 bomber, Germany"s BV-141, Japan's Kyushu Q1W1 "Lorna", or the incredibly ungainly Russian TB-3 four-engined bomber/troop transport. What do you guys think? Aside from the Buffalo and Skua, which have already been done in diecast would you buy any of these other "beauties"if Corgi, Dragon, HM, et.al. tried to market them? Would their performance outweigh their looks?

In a previous life I posted a poem about the Barracuda and how bad that plane was,

I think both the British and French excelled at building ugly planes in the between wars period.


However for something different how about the DoX flying boat?

Sorry I dont have a photo I can post.

[STARMAN 352ND]

The Type 342 Spitfire MK.I a hybrid plane with twin floats...Hummm i don't like the floats on that Spitfire.






I have to say the Fairey Barracuda is the Ugliest looking thing.
JP

[skysurfer808]

Hey all, glad to be back,

My vote goes to the Bohlm und Voss BV-141.

If symmetry defines beauty, then this thing is definately not a looker.
http://www.vrcurassow.com/2dvrc/sscu...hmundVoss.html

Skysurfer808

[Captain Eddie]

Skysurfer, IMHO, we've got a winner!! or loser...however you want to describe it!

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

Hey all, glad to be back,My vote goes to the Bohlm und Voss BV-141.Skysurfer808

That is one funny looking plane i'll tell ya.
What in the world were they thinking putting the cockpit on the side like that??
JP