Mr Hippo, what have you got against the Hawker Hunter, nominated by at least two of us and still, for me, unquestionably the most beautiful combination of form and function that has ever flown, unless you are including gliders, of course, which we seem not to be. Concorde, VC10, many others in your list, OK they look nice, especially Concorde. But none touches the Hunter.
Beagle and Brain Potter thanks for those very knowledgeable posts; fascinating.