Unique Aeroplanes
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: A small blue boat
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by Jhieminga
I read an article a long, long time ago that explained the thought process that led Burt Rutan to come up with this configuration. I think it started with a generic Beechcraft Baron and then discussed the different issues inherent in that design (or any typical light twin) and how the Boomerang configuration solved that. I wish I could find that article.
rutanboomerang.com and click 'Design' -- I can't post links as a new user.
Definitely quite interesting. I'd think the Boomerang is the most unique civilian light aircraft at least.
re. the pedantry -- every plane is unique in some way -- "only 737 to be completed at 2:14pm on a Tuesday". A plane can be more or less unique depending on the significance of the categories it's unique in.
Surely the Caproni Ca. 60 has to be the most unique, just look at the thing...
A related question might be the most useful/significant one-of-a-kind plane, perhaps the late An-225?
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North UK
Posts: 277
Originally Posted by chevvron
Then there was the CMC Leopard lightweight bizjet. 2 built with twin jet engines and designed to carry a pilot and 3 passengers. Prototype first flew in 1988 followed by the second with more powerful engines in early 1997.Project cancelled on the death of the designer, Ian Chichester Miles, in 2009.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North UK
Posts: 277
Originally Posted by chevvron
I flew the prototype at Farnborough with Angus McVitie; landed it too!!
I did a week's course at Cranfield in the mid-80's as part of my degree, and I'm sure Angus flew the Jetstream sorties that were part of the course.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mostly in my own imagination
Posts: 131
Originally Posted by Shackman
Surely there is only one 'unique' aircraft - The Wright Flyer. Everything else is a descendant.
That would be "powered aircraft"
</pedantically pedantic>
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Derbyshire
Age: 70
Posts: 347
Originally Posted by Krystal n chips
The Westland Wendover would appear to meet the criteria....never heard of it until fairly recently, so looked it up. ...of the first two words that sprung to mind, only me can be repeated.
How about the Percival P.74 helicopter? The only helicopter Percival built, and it refused point-blank to even lift off the ground, let alone fly.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Netherlands
Age: 52
Posts: 2,547
Originally Posted by DHfan
I knew of the aircraft but I'd never heard that name for it.
How about the Percival P.74 helicopter? The only helicopter Percival built, and it refused point-blank to even lift off the ground, let alone fly.
How about the Percival P.74 helicopter? The only helicopter Percival built, and it refused point-blank to even lift off the ground, let alone fly.
And they are not very unique.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Down Under somewhere not all that far from YPAD
Age: 77
Posts: 511
If I may follow the somewhat broader definition, Henri Mignet's Flying Flea is certainly some kind of unique - at least in concept and design; probably some other variation of unique in its flying characteristics. I knew a bloke once who had one. He claimed it was OK so long as you understood it (whatever that meant - he didn't expand and I didn't ask). Quite sad that he died (reportedly of a heart attack) whilst enjoying one of his local flying outings in the aircraft. I guess that's sort of unique too - in the saddest sense.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bolton ENGLAND
Age: 77
Posts: 987
Originally Posted by Self loading bear
Machines that didn’t fly are called a “try”
And they are not very unique.
And they are not very unique.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mostly in my own imagination
Posts: 131
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the XF-85 Goblin
Fairly unique that it was launched from another aircraft, but then again so were Bell XB1 and the X15 ... but ... the Goblin had the distinction of also "landing" on another aircraft!
Fairly unique that it was launched from another aircraft, but then again so were Bell XB1 and the X15 ... but ... the Goblin had the distinction of also "landing" on another aircraft!
