Freaky Flyers

We recently visited the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. With over three hundred aircraft on display it is one of the largest aircraft museums in the world.  Exhibited are the fastest, SR-71, and some of the slowest, Scheibe, but I have decided to show some of the most unique, weird, freaky, or ugly.

The small yellow biplane was constructed to capture the title of "The World's Smallest Airplane".  The Starr Bumble has a wingspan of 6'-6" and is powered by a 85 horsepower engine.

The North American F-107 which never went into production has a unique design with the air intake over the cockpit because the Air force wanted a plane single engine attack plane with a bomb bay as opposed to bombs on pylons outside the fuselage. However, the F-107 design was not adopted. The Air force chose the Republic F-105. 

The aircraft pictured third from the left on the to row is a cargo plane designed and built by Budd, the BR-1 Conestoga.  Budd is well known a a manufacturer of subway cars.  The same technology is used in the manufacture of this aircraft.  Stainless steel is welded together as opposed the the normal technology of riveted aluminum.  The government was concerned about a shortage of aluminum and was investigating an alternatives.  Only a few of the planes were built and they saw service as commercial cargo carriers.

Lastly is the C-119.  These were produced in great quantities but I have chosen to feature this one because of the jet engine attached to the top of the fuselage  for additional lifting power. The C-119 was featured in both versions of the film "Flight of the Phoenix". This had the Pratt and Whitney "corn cob" engines.

On the next row we find this small airliner with pusher engines and a canard wing up front. The Beechcraft Starship, although very innovative with  pusher design and pressurized cabin, was a commercial failure.

Next is the Fairey Gannet.  A quit unusual appearing aircraft.  The bulges for electronic warfare equipment don't give it many points for beauty.  It's powered by a turbo-prop engine with contra-rotating propellers.  This aircraft is usually recognized as the most unattractive airplane ever built.   Simply put...it's ugly!

No one can dispute less than pleasing appearance of the Aero Spaceline 377-SG Guppy.  Built to carry out sized equipment it has spawned other oddly shaped aircraft to carry unusual payloads.

Lastly, is the Bell P-63 Kingcobra.  It is an up scaled P-39. Although it is sleek and attractive I've included it because of it's unique engine placement.  The 12 cylinder Allison is mounted behind the pilot.  Also note the cannon barrel protruding through the propeller hub.

View all the aircraft and more at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona