[jim]

Most of these designs were just doodles done during lunch breaks,


If you look at the aerodynamics on some of them they would never get off the ground.

However I would like to see a Horten, Natter, and Heinkel 280 please.

Hey how about an Arsenal-Delane 10, now that is bizarre !!!!!!!!!

[Raven]

If I see it and I like it, I buy it. That is pretty much my policy. I have been playing a lot of Il-2 1946 and there are some sweet planse that I would not mind adding to my collection - even if they never flew.

[skysurfer808]

I'd have to agree with Brother Jim on this one.

Most Luft 46 designs are nothing more than concept art. The only ones that look anything near right are the Focke Wulf Huckebein and the Horten Flying Wing, both of which could be said to have been developed into flyable machines. The Huckebein was said to be a proto-mig 15, while the Horten wing, along with Northrop's wings can be said to be the granddaddy of today's B-2. Last and not least is the Messershchmitt P-1101, the first swing wing airplane to be built, and one which did become flying hardware in the form of the Bell X-5.

Looking at most Luft 46 concepts, they strike me as the fantasies of computer gamers, rather than viable aircraft. The old truism in aviation, if it looks right it will fly right, rings true in this case. Yes, the luftwaffe did design some crazy ones, such as the Bv-141, which did fly okay. But the mojority of Germany's most successful airplane designs were pretty conventional in appearance. Most of all, the Luft 46 creators ignore one crucial facet? Where would the fuel have come from to fly these wonder planes....let alone the air bases. It is something that our oil dependent government ought to ponder as it designs another generation of wunderkraft.

Skysurfer808

[JETFAN]

The twin-engined biplane in the photo, to give it its correct name since it represents an RAF or Royal Navy variant is DeHaviland DeH-89A "Dominie". I think it would make a wonderful addition to the Corgi range of biplanes. It was suggested to and considered by the Pooch but rejected as too labor intensive.I had my first flight ever in an RAF Dominie in 1948, so always had a soft spot for it. If you are ever in the UK, you can sample its delights at Duxford where two operate joyrides, including the one in the photo.