Nominations needed for Aviation History Magazine article
I'd contend that the Spartan Executive is a serious rival - the essence of 1930s beauty.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dakkg651 made the excellent suggestion that a modern high-performance sailplane should be considered for my most-beautiful list.
Though I have a long-unused glider rating, I've been away from the field for long enough that I have no idea what the most beautiful contenders are today. So, a question: can anybody sailplane-knowledgeable be more specific about exactly which sailplane(s) should be considered?
Though I have a long-unused glider rating, I've been away from the field for long enough that I have no idea what the most beautiful contenders are today. So, a question: can anybody sailplane-knowledgeable be more specific about exactly which sailplane(s) should be considered?
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: flyover country USA
Age: 82
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pigboat:
I had a boss once who was a student at Spartan during the flight tests of the Spartan 12. Don't recall if they ever achieved a TC for it; they at least understood the direction the market was moving.
But what of that lovely yellow/white DGA right behind? THAT is one rugged beauty, and you ignorami who think beauty is a purely visual attribute -
Gee, I don't know what to do with you. I'm not sure you can be cured.
(However, the Spartan 7W and the Gooney Bird are as classy as they come!)
I had a boss once who was a student at Spartan during the flight tests of the Spartan 12. Don't recall if they ever achieved a TC for it; they at least understood the direction the market was moving.
But what of that lovely yellow/white DGA right behind? THAT is one rugged beauty, and you ignorami who think beauty is a purely visual attribute -
Gee, I don't know what to do with you. I'm not sure you can be cured.
(However, the Spartan 7W and the Gooney Bird are as classy as they come!)
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,628
Received 298 Likes
on
166 Posts
Pigboat, agree that the tri-gear Spartan is ugly... don't mess with visual perfection.
Barit1, I like the Howard as well - only ever seen one in the flesh that I can recall (I think there MUST have been several at Oshkosh other than the Mr Mulligan replica when I went, but I was somewhat overwhelmed), which took part in a UK/Australia vintage air rally about 20 years ago. Sadly, I think it was later destroyed in an accident in Australia.
On the upside, I was watching the Gypsy Moths the other week - plenty of DGA action in that!
Barit1, I like the Howard as well - only ever seen one in the flesh that I can recall (I think there MUST have been several at Oshkosh other than the Mr Mulligan replica when I went, but I was somewhat overwhelmed), which took part in a UK/Australia vintage air rally about 20 years ago. Sadly, I think it was later destroyed in an accident in Australia.
On the upside, I was watching the Gypsy Moths the other week - plenty of DGA action in that!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
F4U Corsair !
It was my favourite kit as a Kid ( that & the Lysander )
Picture "borrowed" from www.luftfahrt.ch
It was my favourite kit as a Kid ( that & the Lysander )
Picture "borrowed" from www.luftfahrt.ch
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: flyover country USA
Age: 82
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The prettiest of the smaller twins - Lockheed 12-A
Props to Budd Davisson for his pilot report & photos at Pilot Report: Lockheed 12A Electra Jr.
Props to Budd Davisson for his pilot report & photos at Pilot Report: Lockheed 12A Electra Jr.
So, a question: can anybody sailplane-knowledgeable be more specific about exactly which sailplane(s) should be considered?
I read some years ago a suggestion that modern sailplanes were the ultimate example of "form follows function" and that if the design trends continued, you wouldn't be able to distinguish the different models.
So based on that, I suggest you just pick the LS, ASW or Schemp-Hirth model that appeals to you.
I know it is old, but my bias is towards the Standard Cirrus, mainly because I used to fly one. A world-beater in its time.
When you compare it with modern sailplanes, it is hard to believe the design is 40 years old.
