Unique Aeroplanes
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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?
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.
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.
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I42 beat me to the Wendover, so ladies and gentlemen I give you The Hillson FH.40 ..... AKA The Slip Wing Hurricane
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.
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I give you The Hillson FH.40 ..... AKA The Slip Wing Hurricane
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And they are not very unique.
IIRC we never figured out what this was in "What aeroplane " so pretty unique!
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.
Sorry to come back to this but they are either unique or they are not....To me the Percival P 74 helicopter was unique whether it flew or not..... One designed, one built. To me that makes it unique.
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The Slingsby V-Liner would have been a serious contender!
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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!
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I presume the Brittany Ferries Cri Cri never attempted to land back on its Broussard mothership? I would certainly assume too great a risk.