A couple of people have mentioned the Beech Staggerwing:

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...frica/d17s.jpg

Agreed treadders, but what tipped my hand to the Staggerwing was when Spartan stuck a nosewheel on a one-off example. Sacrilege. :=

http://www.airventure.de/oshkosh05/1...utive_1456.jpg

I thought this Waco was quite pretty when I saw it;

("Miss Sonya"...seen at Seattle,King County, August 2006)

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2..._021/waco2.jpg

I think it is still very pretty!

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?

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!)

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!

Two more candidates
 

How about:
Levasseur Antoinette series
Focke Wulf Fw-190

F4U Corsair !

It was my favourite kit as a Kid ( that & the Lysander )
http://www.luftfahrt.ch/images/grenc...4u4corsair.jpg

Picture "borrowed" from www.luftfahrt.ch

The prettiest of the smaller twins - Lockheed 12-A

http://www.airbum.com/pireps/Lockheed12A4.jpg

Props to Budd Davisson for his pilot report & photos at Pilot Report: Lockheed 12A Electra Jr.

Stephan,

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.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...12-56-06PM.png

When you compare it with modern sailplanes, it is hard to believe the design is 40 years old.

My suggestion for a sailplane pic would be one of the larger ones, say a Nimbus 4, dumping water as it races to the finish line in a competition.
Beautiful sight.

Nothing comes close to the staggerwing.
I also like the A380....