World's ugliest airplanes?

[stepwilk]

I'm taking nominations for what our amply-informed group considers to be the world's ugliest aircraft. I will start the bidding with my nomination, the 1931 Stipa-Caproni Flying Barrel.

Whether the aircraft was good, bad or indifferent need have no influence on your choices. The Sikorsky Skycrane, for example, was probably a superb heavy lifter but would win no beauty pageants.

What think you?

[mr fish]

i'd say the BLOHM&VOSS BV 141 wins by a mile!!!

[chiglet]

Breguet deux ponts?

[seacue]

The PL-12 Airtruk from Australia would seem to have no competitors in the ugly competition.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/2/7/3/0578372.jpg

[irishair2001]

What about the Budd Canestoga AKA The Metal Abortion :eek:

[caped crusader]

The AEW Nimrod. Looked like a duck billed platypuss!

[Noyade]

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6562/dammitc.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/dammitc.jpg/)

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/8171/seddonmayfly1.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/seddonmayfly1.jpg/)

[Tankertrashnav]

The Airspeed Ferry must be up there with a chance

Airspeed Ferry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airspeed_Ferry)

One of the early products of author Nevil Shute's company. By the time they produced these

File:Airspeed Ambassador G-AMAD BKS 1965.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Airspeed_Ambassador_G-AMAD_BKS_1965.jpg)

they had obviously learned a thing or two about design, but Shute was long gone by then.

[18-Wheeler]

For new aeroplanes, the A380.
Beaten badly with an ugly stick.

[zlin77]

Yes, another vote for The A380................

[Krystal n chips]

The prime candidate for the award......I could be biased here.....has to be the ATP....ugly in engineering and design and the biggest heap of junk ever to masquerade as an aircraft.....fit for only one use.....as a ground target !.

[Fantome]

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/8171/seddonmayfly1.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/seddonmayfly1.jpg/)

Blimey Brown, they've built my damned doodles!

Transavia Airtruck - a beautiful functional ugly duckling and popular with aerial ag.

by Lynette Zuccoli
This article appeared in the December 2001 issue of the Falco Builders Letter.
http://www.seqair.com/Hangar/Zuccoli/Legends/Stipa3.jpg
Beauty and the Beast. Falco sleeps with fascist Gee Bee
Sitting around our lunch table about six years ago, our usual subjects of discussion, sex, rock 'n roll and anything politically incorrect, was interupted by Guido, who had found a picture of the most bizarre and ugly plane we had ever seen. It was published in a book by Giorgio Evangelisti.
The aircraft was the Stipa Caproni, designed by Luigi Stipa and built by the Caproni factory in Italy. We were all astonished when Guido announced, "We must have one of those!".
No-one we knew wanted to build it. So we sought someone who was creative, imaginative with not a great sense of embarrassment, and Bryce Wolff was the chosen one.
Work was commenced shortly after using the available information at hand, then in January 1997, Guido was lucky enough to personally meet with Count Gianni Caproni. He generously gave us information and plans, although very scant, we were able to proceed with the project.
Sadly, Guido left us in March 1997, but his dreams and purpose were strong, and we were motivated to carry on.
We purchased the Italian Simonini racing engine, a bit ironic as it was for a very slow aircraft. The engine was suitable for the 65% scale replica of the original, which we did not consider building as it went into the "too hard basket" as we did not have "Experimental Category" in Australia at that time. Also, the original was rather large, with the fuselage standing at over 12 feet tall and wing span at about 50 feet.
http://www.seqair.com/Hangar/Zuccoli/Legends/stipa2.jpg
Consenting Aviators: Lynette Zuccoli and the Stipa Caproni.


They flew the replica too - lLegends in Our Own Lunch Times: The Stipa Caproni (http://www.seqair.com/Hangar/Zuccoli/Legends/Legends.html)

[aviate1138]

Curtiss-Goupil Duck - and it flew! :rolleyes:

Curtiss-Goupil Duck (http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/farmer/120/duk.html)

[3REDS]

The Dornier 228.
The saying "if it looks right it will fly right" is flawed after you have flown the Do228.

Photos: Dornier 228-212 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/National-Cartographic-Center/Dornier-228-212/1646841/&sid=4da13ef1dda858f221218cc17d9939a1)

[Albert Driver]

...and yet another vote for the A380.

[brakedwell]

Bristol Frightener.

[treadigraph]

Actually the Air Truck is a positive beauty compared with its older brother:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/ZK-BPVa.jpg


Of modern aircraft, the Piper Jet looks pretty horrible.

[John Farley]

Some would say there is no such thing as an ugly woman only one that does not perform as you hoped.

[A30yoyo]

Aviation Traders Accountant

Aviation Traders Accountant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_Traders_Accountant)


I see people are ganging up on the A380....I think its more stylish than the 747 ...(and the new flexy wing on the 747-8 will take a bit of getting used to)

[fesmokie]

I don't think any aircraft is Ugly. It's what's inside that counts.lol It's only Ugly if you wreck it.... then your most likely the stupid one. :E;)

[By George]

Sorry Mr YoYo, that A380 looks like a Sperm Whale with 'Down Syndrome' while the dear old 747 is a thing of real beauty. I must admit though, it looks like my ex-wife has been biting the engine cowls on the -8.

[DB6]

The 'Hunchback'. Il-20.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n107/DB6Mk2/300px-Ilyushin_Il-20_attack_aircraf.jpg

The Seamew's not exactly a looker either.....

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n107/DB6Mk2/180px-Seamew_Side_view_in_flight.jpg

[odonnell abu]

Without doubt the ugliest aircraft ever built is the Lancaster. Horrible black evil machines!

The A380 is beautiful.

[stepwilk]

Incoming...

[Fangio]

Are you referring to the Pilot's reference to the ATP which was "Avro Taking the P*ss" or more politely, "Another Technical Problem"?

[Agaricus bisporus]

I can only conclude that you've never seen a Do228, let alone flown one...

Most who've seen pitures of it think it not bad looking. Those of us who have flown it love it. It is a delight to fly.

Where are you coming from???

[isi3000]

Has to be the A380 :=

[Noah Zark.]

This must be in with a chance!

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=159758&d=1200132094

[stepwilk]

So what is it?

[Noah Zark.]

It's a Rutland Reindeer!

[Warmtoast]

Does this count? (Lunar Landing Research Vehicle)

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/LunarLandingResearchVehicleLLRVinFl.jpg

[treadigraph]

Ladies and gents, herewith the winner...

http://imagebank.ipcmedia.com/imageBank/f/flying_slow_GAL38(1).jpg

GAL Fleet Shadower. Sort of Nimrod precursor... Definitely should have been smothered at birth or left to cower in its carrier bag.

Please don't have nightmares.

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

Think Treadi has it....

:)

[al446]

And that was designed before LSD came along?

[aviate1138]

The 1911 Vedo Villi might be considered?

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/Picture3-4.jpg

[merlinxx]

Oi treaders, you having wet dreams again ?:=:E

[CathyH]

I LIKE them!

[PPRuNe Pop]

No off topic stuff please, and no thread creep. Thank you.

[glad rag]

No off topic stuff please, and no thread creep

What about luxury interiors to counter such ugly accusations? Fair play and all that chap ??:suspect:

[Noyade]

No off topic stuff please, and no thread creep.My apologies.

Some French examples...

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/2542/bess.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/bess.jpg/)http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4699/bl1.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/bl1.jpg/)http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1152/french2.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/french2.jpg/)http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9569/lastscanhv.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/lastscanhv.jpg/)http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/7893/french3.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/french3.jpg/)

[seacue]

Surely a requirement for this thread is that the ugly duckling be able to fly.

[India Four Two]

I've been trying to get a picture of a Beech 1900 for a while and finally saw one at Wellington.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/Beech1900D.jpg

Beech clearly had a lot of drag and stability issues with this one. Either that or it has the optional "float kit" already installed ;)

[mseyfang]

The Shorts Skyvan at least deserves consideration:

R.F.SAYWELL CANADA (http://www.saywell-canada.com/Shorts-Skyvan.htm)

[forget]

India Two Four's Beech 1800 has to be high on the list. You wouldn't admit to being part of the design team would you?

'Hmmm, not quite right. Let's try this'.
'Nope. How about this?'
'Really! What about this?'
'This?'
'OK. What about this?'
'Right, how abou.....................

[Bushfiva]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Fokker_V.8.jpg/300px-Fokker_V.8.jpg

Fokker V.8 - not so much ugly I guess, as... wrong. "Fokker, who was his own test pilot, flew it twice. It never flew again."

[treadigraph]

Bushfiva, I suspect that's a photo a certain Mr Elbert Rutan may have studied in his childhood... "Boy, I sure can do better than that..."

[one11]

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/nighthawk.jpg

The first aircraft to carry the name Supermarine, the Nighthawk Zeppelin killer from 1917.

Fortunately the company proved capable of learning from its mistakes.

[lpokijuhyt]

I would have to say the ol' Jew Canoe (Westwind, Israeli Aircraft 1124) is a really ugly business jet.

[aviate1138]

The Germs had one or two uglies in WW1 - this one for instance....... a 4 engined monstrosity.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/Picture7-3.jpg

The unfortunate Linke-Hoffmann R1 whose wings folded during testing.

[Jhieminga]

When you say 'ugliest', do you mean the design itself... or the paintjob? Or can it be both??

http://tandem-company.de/assets/images/Pink2.jpg

[stepwilk]

"...the ol' Jew Canoe..."

We called it the Yom Kippur Clipper, but it least it was prettier than that misshapen original Hawker, to say nothing of the swept-forward Hansa Jet.

[A30yoyo]

http://www.mycity-military.com/thumbs/111859_tmb_113574010_farman_jabiru.jpg

has got to be a contender

[descol]

the 380's relation ?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/Warminster_PA_SuperGuppy.jpg

[WaspJunior]

Surely the Antonov An2 must be a contender considering it aint that old. What about some of the Yaks too even the Nanchang CJ-6 looks sleek compared with a '52.

I know they're very capable etc. but this is about looks.....:}

[Torque Tonight]

I know this is about aeroplanes but perhaps I might be allowed to introduce a helicopter so ugly that when I saw one in the flesh it made my skin feel itchy. (And yes, I know you cheeky b-----s wil say all helicopters are ugly (not true) and make the old joke about the earth repelling them - but I think this might actually be the ugliest aircraft ever built.)

The CH-37, a true minger of the skies:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/HR2S_Marines_debarking_NAN11-57.jpg

[stepwilk]

How can anything with R-2800s be ugly? That alone gives it a bye...

[DHfan]

Noyade beat me to it - virtually anything French from the 1930s.

[DB6]

There are some real pugs there, but I reckon those Airtrucks take the 'Bulldog Licking Piss off a Nettle' prize.

[Noyade]

Maybe not the ugliest, but unusual... the Stout Amphibian...

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/13/41455127.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/41455127.jpg/)

...and from Blackburn...

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/5920/23738273.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/23738273.jpg/)

[Noyade]

The Cyclogyro...

Ugly as hell vs beautiful (aircraft photos) - ED Forums (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=46839)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5755/940147.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/i/940147.jpg/)

[Panop]

Don't forget the Maxim Gorki (Tupolev ANT-20) (http://flyghistoria.se/tupolev_ant20E.html)

And whilst we're at it no one (certainly not sober, I hope) ever accused the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II (http://www.theaviationzone.com/images/vintage/c124/bin/c124_02.jpg) of being a beauty. And let's not forget the Blackburn Beverley (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1189462/).

The much maligned Deux Ponts (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6017998&nseq=1) had a certain "je ne sais quoi" in comparison.

We may have a winner with the Lysander P.12 (http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/farmer/120/lysander.html) . It was apparently designed to repel any German invaders in WW2 - I am sure it would have done!

The last one comes from a site I just found which is full of inspiration - Paul's Ugly Aircraft Shrine (http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/farmer/120/index.html).

[alisoncc]

And let's not forget the Blackburn Beverley (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1189462/).

Pushing your luck there. The Bubbly was a nice aeroplane. Flew from Singers to Melbourne via Cocos Islands, Port Hedland, the Alice, in January 67. Total trip time - 10 days after waiting for engine spares in Cocos. Flying in a Bubbly is the only way to see the red centre of Oz - Brmm, Brmm, Brmm, Brmm ................ Took a full day from Port Hedland to the Alice, then another from the Alice to Laverton. Great if you weren't in a hurry.

[Proplinerman]

The Beech 1900-it just looks all wrong.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Beech_1900_D.JPG/800px-Beech_1900_D.JPG (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Beech_1900_D.JPG)

[DC10RealMan]

The A380 is an ugly duckling which when stretched by 300 feet will develop into a beautiful swan.

[twochai]

The A380 is an ugly duckling which when stretched by 300 feet will develop into a beautiful swan.

En va voir, mon vieu, en va voir! Peut etre un canard, non?

[sharksandwich]

We may have a winner with the Lysander P.12 (http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/farmer/120/lysander.html) . It was apparently designed to repel any German invaders in WW2 - I am sure it would have done!


If it really is possible to die of laughter!


The unfortunate but excellent Optica may be taking to the skies again:


http://www.optica.co.uk/optica.jpg

[aviate1138]

SharkSandwich - are you sure?

Excellent? Have you ever flown one? Just about the most complicated system of trim compensation via removable weights I have ever seen. Maybe that has changed now.

A classic example of a design idea leading to a truly complicated solution. At Farnborough the prototype used nearly the entire runway to take off - in front of thousands of potential buyers! Why are there not many ducted fan designs in use? They are not very efficient. Servicing the engine is not exactly easy - buried inside the ducted fan shroud. Even with the bigger engine Old Sarum airfield seemed rather short two up and no other payload.

Ask Derek Piggott about flying the Optica. I think he called it the Flying Lightbulb.

[chevvron]

When I flew the prototype Optica at Farnborough with Angus McVitie, we used about the same amount of runway for takeoff that something like a C150 would ie not much; certainly we were able to get to 500ft and turn south well before the end of the runway. Angus did the actual takeoff then handed over to me when we had positive rate of climb and we floated down towards Sands at a leisurely 80kt ias. In the vicinity of Waverley Abbey, Angus lowered the flaps and invited me to shut the throttle; there was enough residual thrust from the fan to maintain about 40-45kt ias, and the handling was reminiscent of a T21 but I do recall any change of thrust meant re-trimming too. On return to Farnborough, Angus let me land it - once again similar to a C150 - and we vacated at the 'arrestor' runway (taxiway C nowadays) after I put it on the runway 25 (24 nowadays) numbers.

[SOPS]

Yet one more vote for the A380

[Jig Peter]

For a really complicated back end, what about the Percival Prentice? (Sorry, I haven't a photo, but perhaps the experts might find shots of the prototype and then the production model, specially from 3/4 rear) ...
From a neat "Proctor-ish" fin and rudder to a large squarish thing, then anti-spin strakes and huge lumps out of the elevators, and the upturned wing-tips, all to cope with the airflow from the huge glass-house, which was meant to house a "listening and learning" u/t pilot - a system which never caught on (I wonder why !!!).
Watching Prentices taxi in a cross-wind, waddling round in circles hissing like geese as the pneumatic brakes failed to hold the weather-cocking is just one of many hilarious moments. But the most hilarious was seeing another Prenthawk in loose formation inverted during a barrel roll. Its lurching way of entering a spin was a fascination too ...
Laugh a minute, it was, though you still had to learn to drive properly ... Flying the Pattern B instrument test was most enlightening, with all that power (I jest) the de Haviiland Gipsy Queen could put out was toilsome - but very instructive ...and then, the Harvard ... a young driver's dream ...:):):)

[barry lloyd]

Polikarpov I-15:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll226/tango15_photos/DSC_0102.jpg

[treadigraph]

Sorry,the I-15 aint ugly...

[barry lloyd]

Sorry,the I-15 aint ugly...

Well it ain't pretty!:)

[Load Toad]

It isn't pretty but it looks like a 'plane that bites arses.

[treadigraph]

Well it ain't pretty

OK, I'll concede that!

It put on a very spritely performance at Duxford a couple of years running, with some rather alarming shrieks from the airframe as it pulled out of loops. Hope they bring it back over sometime...

[Double Zero]

I really thought the Airspeed Fleet Shadower had it, but was beaten to it.

I knew relatives of the Test Aircrew on the thing, who saw after all their efforts it's main use was fanning the flames at fire rescue training dumps !

[macuser]

No contest, The Stipa has it!

Caproni Stipa (http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/farmer/120/stipa.html)

[AARON O'DICKYDIDO]

macuser


see post #12.

[Strelnikov]

I agree with the Blohm und Voss BV-141 - the designers had clearly spent too many nights on the strong stuff down Gneisenaustrasse.

I've always loved this ugly bird though - never seen one airborne mind - every one I've seen has been in bits with a confused disgruntled owner attacking it with a spanner in one hand and a woodbine in the other.

http://www.kitcutters.com/Nex/NexFlyingFlea.jpg

The Flying Flea

[Squawk7777]

I kinda like the B&V 141, am intrigued by the asymmetrical design.

Here's my short list (it'll probably get longer the more I think about it)

Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair

http://aviation-safety.net/photos/aircraft/19970404-0-P-d-1-500.jpg

Vickers Viscount (and other similar airplanes with a hump right above the cockpit).

F117

C130

[TowerDog]

Poor Man's Jumbo...:sad:

[evansb]

The Blackburn R-1 Blackburn. So homely, they couldn't think of a suitable model name.

http://vintage-aviation.hp.infoseek.co.jp/uk_blackburn-blackburn_1922.jpg

[Panop]

Vickers ViscountSquawk7777 - you gotta be kidding! A Viscount (especially the 800 series) is a thing of great beauty and class. I also kind of like the C-130 but I realise that comment calls my judgement into question in matters of taste. I won't allow the Viscount's name to be sullied though!

Have a look at this (http://www.airliners.net/photo/British-Midland-Airways/Vickers-813-Viscount/1164432/L/&sid=f94b18bf65df13ba5efaf71dd5aeb281) and tell me that's ugly!

[Planemike]

What has this man been on.............??!!! The Viscount is a truly beautiful aeroplane both visually and in terms of passenger appeal.....

Planemike

[Proplinerman]

The Viscount: couldn't agree more with last two posts; the Viscount was an aircraft of superbly balanced proportions. No way was it ugly in any shape or form.

[Noyade]

Unless of course they turn it into an engine test-bed...

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1314/viscount.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/i/viscount.jpg/)

[Panop]

Unless of course they turn it into an engine test-bed...I hope someone reported them to the RSPCA or whoever it is that deals with cruel experiments to innocent aircraft.

[Noyade]

Reminds me of the character "Pinhead" from the Hellraiser movie series...

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/474/inhumanity.jpg (http://img704.imageshack.us/i/inhumanity.jpg/)

[fdcg27]

Agreed.
The Beach 1900 is the ugliest airpalne you are likely to actually have to look at when at any commercial airport.
The old 99, OTOH, looked pretty sleek.

[chevvron]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shirley it's a Beech 200 not a 1900? Don't know what the dangly bits are for though; some sort of calibrator?

[Noyade]

it's a Beech 200

Yes, the prototype Beech RC-12N electronic reconnaissance King Air.

[stepwilk]

And we're sure that picture hasn't been Photoshopped?

[Noyade]

Photoshopped? Not guilty your honour!

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5214/wmag.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/wmag.jpg/)

[Rico 25]

Try looking up the Fairey Gannet. The AEW version looked even worse!:eek:

[ben177]

Dreamlifter, no contest.
http://ferrantelife.com/Boeing%20Dream%20Lifter.JPG

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Some would say there is no such thing as an ugly woman only one that does not perform as you hoped.
In that case, we have an outright winner...:ok:
http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp265/geoffpaysbasque/nimrod4.jpg
The A380 works.
sv

[twochai]

In that case, we have an outright winner...

Touchey!!!!!

[sixmilehighclub]

Has to be the Beluga surely!

[Squawk7777]

Sorry Panop, didn't mean to insult you but I don't see the beauty or style in it. The nose doesn't strike me as being very aerodynamic or beautiful, and I could go on and on but beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. If you'd ask me the opposite out of the early days of the golden age of aviation I'd go for the Comet on the civilian side and the Victor on the military side. Never liked the "hump" of the cockpit/nose of the Vulcan.

Forgive me, but I cannot see any beauty in it. :confused: :hmm:

[Panop]

No offence take Squawk. I'm sorry you can't see it but then I have my doubts about the Victor (no argument about the Comet though until they Nimroded it!).

Must be a cultural thing - not many US designs had the raised cockpit hump like the Viscount, Vulcan etc. I always felt it added character as well as being practical by raising the cockpit without having to 'blunt' the entire nose.

[shck1]

How about the Blackburn Beverley - A true heap and a pig to service in the heat of Muharraq. The "designer" should have been charged with crimes against good taste and engineering, Even Burt Rutan could not design anything so uuuugly.

[Wander00]

Deux-Ponts was pretty ugly....IMHO

[El Bunto]

This is the 'cleaned-up' variant of the Lavochkin La-200. They needed to make some changes to accommodate a larger radar scanner. http://q-zon-fighterplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Lavochkin-La-200-B1.jpg

[Planemike]

Deux-Ponts was pretty ugly....IMHO

See msg # 3.

If it an "airplane", it has to be American !!! Mind you there are some ugly aeroplanes too....!!

[Basil]

How about the Blackburn Beverley - A true heap and a pig to service in the heat of Muharraq. The "designer" should have been charged with crimes against good taste and engineering, Even Burt Rutan could not design anything so uuuugly.
. . . and the noise in the pax cabin in the tailboom put me off asking for Shacks.

[DHfan]

How about the Blackburn Beverley - A true heap and a pig to service in the heat of Muharraq. The "designer" should have been charged with crimes against good taste and engineering, Even Burt Rutan could not design anything so uuuugly.

See post #60, and defended in #61.

It's no oil painting I agree but I wouldn't call it ugly, especially compared to many of the other contenders.

[CargoMatatu]

And I have to put in yet another vote for the A-380.

[shck1]

After the Beverley how dare anybody insult the Shackleton, this was a true gentlemen's aircraft, leather seats, multi in-flight entertainment screens, full flow air-con - open a window. You could walk around and discuss the progress of the flight with the pilots/navigators and simple to maintain - I know - I spent 7 years on them. I preferred the MK2/T2 and T4, the MK3 was a bit of an abortion and how Avro's swung that past the Ministry as a Shackleton is still a mystery, must have been after a heavy lunch. I flew in a MK3 from Majunga to St Mawgan - spent a few days in Wheelus after we had a nose "red" - boffins said to fly to Luqa with gear down and locked - did wonders for fuel consumption and aerodynamics. Then I decided to go into civil aviation - I certainly had no intention of working so stayed in the airline business for 35 years - Oh great days.

[Herod]

with gear down and locked

I hope you only mean "three Greens" type locked. I once had the pleasure of ferrying an F27 to its engineering base. It had suffered a gear retraction on landing (another story) and had been repaired sufficiently well to fly; on a 24 hour permit. The engineers wanted it to fly with the ground-locks in. "No way, Jose". If I lost an engine on take-off, I wanted that gear retracted, and we talk about engineering damage back on the ground.

[shck1]

No - it was all three down and ground locks in, don't worry about ditching, not too sure whether a Shack could ditch anyway. - Ain't much land between Libya and Malta. 11 on board, minimum "calculated" fuel load and off we went.

[HHornet]

Depending on how strict the rules are for this thread .....
Maybe effective, but surely ugly ?
How about the
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lun-class_ekranoplan ?

[Gipsy Queen]

You have to be quite ancient - like wot I am - to remember it but I nominate the Percival Prentice. Some Percivals were acceptably pretty but not this one.:=

[S'land]

How about the Hunting H-126. Only a blind mother could think it beautiful.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_H.126#/media/File:Hunting_H.126.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_H.126#/media/File:Hunting_H.126.jpg

[ralphos]

I wonder why nobody mentioned Belphegor yet?
I saw it a few months ago from a close distance - ugly as hell...

[broadreach]

What an interesting aircraft, ralphos. It does rather fuzzy up the line between "form follows function" and "sheer f**k ugly". A quick Wikipedia scan indicates it was the Russian clients who were looking for a more effective ag plane than the AN2 and who insisted the new aircraft be jet powered. There must be a story there: the early 1970s bureaucracy specifying a design based on the wishful thinking that a jet powerplant would emerge with the instant response of a piston engine.

One wonders what the Poles would have come up with if left to their own devices. I'm sure it wouldn't have been a jet.

My own vote for, if not the ugliest, the most ungainly of modern aircraft, is the Beech 1900 with all its added airfoils.