5 Amazing Oddball Flying Machines

4 years ago Technology

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/41675/2160390170102347975S600x600Q85.jpgPhoto:
Clément Ader's flying machine. Taken by Stephane Delbecque

In honor of Yves Rossy, the Swiss man who flew over the Alps on a personal jet-powered wing Wednesday, Environmental Graffiti was inspired to search for some of the other strangest devices that have carried men aloft. Obviously we have missed quite a few, so we'd appreciate it if you could help us out by dropping some more examples of weird flying machines in the comments.

5. The Gyrocopter

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/7744/2571112220103329676S600x600Q85.jpgPhoto:
Image from wikipedia

I know, it's not exactly in the spirit of Yves to have a conventional aircraft on the list at all, but look at the thing. It's got a helicopter rotor, and a pusher propeller, and they're almost universally ultra light. James Bond famously flew one in Never Say Never Again, but we're still left with the feeling that this is one of the dorkiest ways imaginable to transit the skies.4. The Lockheed XFV

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/29016/2679648490103329676S600x600Q85.jpgPhoto:
Image from Wikipedia

The XFV, which was a 1950s experiment designed to protect convoys from marauding Soviet submarines in the event of war, was designed to take off and land from the deck of a ship while completely vertical; a space-saving innovation that would have allowed each convoy to protect itself instead of requiring aircraft carrier escorts. Unfortunately, only one prototype was ever built, and it flew only 32 times, never vertically.3. Chance Vought's Umbrella Plane

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/43112/2173136520103329676S600x600Q85.jpgPhoto:
Image from UnrealAircraft.com

This is, in all likelihood, the first attempt at building a flying saucer, on this planet anyway. The "Umbrella Plane" failed miserably, having no aerodynamic principles applied to its design at all. However, the designer, Chance Vaught, went on to design multiple fighter aircraft for the U.S. before and during WWII, using a "trial and error" method that we clearly see backfiring here.

2. Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/41118/2168273010103329676S600x600Q85.jpgPhoto:
Image from wikipedia

The pregnant guppy, of which there were may iterations, including a modified 747,was first designed as a transport for the Apollo program, delivering parts from far-flung contractors to the assembly point in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The aircraft itself, which was a Boeing 377 in a previous life, was designed and built in Van Nuys, California by an independent contractor who believed that he could win a government contract if he had the right equipment. He was right.1. NASA AD-1

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/40354/2712486410103329676S600x600Q85.jpgPhoto:
Image from Wikipedia

The AD-1 was designed to prove a highly unusual concept: that aircraft could pivot their wings obliquely in flight. It flew 79 times, and gathered a substantial amount of data on how the wings behaved aerodynamically in that circumstance, as well as looking f'ing weird. The strangest discovery? Pivoting the wing reduced fuel consumption.Environmental Graffiti is up for four bloggers’ choice awards. You can vote for us for best entertainment blog, best blog of all time, best geek blog and best animal blogger.

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Comments

Old Comments

Roy says

Jun 8th, 2009 at 12am
Bloody brilliant site...just FYI the Gyrocopter that James Bond flew was in the film 'You Only Live Twice' and he flew a jetpack in the film 'Thunderball' but the best flying machines were the Paragliders in the film...I ferget. Thanks again!! Cheers Roy

Jim Horn says

May 17th, 2008 at 12am
A further note on the NASA AD-1 "Scissorswing" - it was built by the then-fledgling Scaled Composites, Inc. under Burt Rutan. They've since become better known for later designs they've done - the nonstop world-circling Voyager (1986) and Global Flyer (2006), SpaceShip One, and many more. Burt is legendary - Google "Rutan Boomerang" for an example.

Ned Flanders says

May 17th, 2008 at 12am
Vought F5U Flying Flapjack http://tinyurl.com/59wj7w

Jimmy says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
woah they are really cool! i love the first one.

Stefan says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
It was You Only Live Twice, not Never Say Never Again.

Bizhack says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
Great list! The Gyrocopter (or 'Little Nelly') was seen in You only Live Twice and not Never Say Never Again. Dorky maybe, but it took on and defeated a load of proper helicopters :)

John says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
James Bond flew a gyrocopter in You Only Live Twice

Ben says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
Good catches, everybody-- all I could remember was that he was in Asia, and that the opening scene of "Never" was in Hong Kong. Shows me to trust my memory and not do research.

wtf says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
I like how the first one apologizes for including an aircraft, and then all the rest are aircraft too.

Revelation says

May 16th, 2008 at 12am
I like the umbrella plane. I don't know if its aerodynamics were that stupidly thought out. With a big gust of wind and some twine it would make a bitchin kite. Having said that, when it comes to flying kites, I'm rubish. People would be mashed into the ground, there would be fires, and children crying.