Comments on: 5 Amazing Oddball Flying Machines

By: Roy

Roy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:49:55 +0000

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

By: Ned Flanders

Ned Flanders — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:58:57 +0000

Vought F5U Flying Flapjack

http://tinyurl.com/59wj7w

By: Jim Horn

Jim Horn — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:37:59 +0000

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.

By: protogenxl

protogenxl — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:20:51 +0000

Brian: Peter, if you just let me talk, I’ll explain to you why you shouldn’t do this.

Peter: Later, later Brian, I gotta do something people will remember me for. Which is why I’ve invented a new type of flying machine.

Stewie: You know, I vaguely recall seeing footage somewhere of something exactly like this, which leads me to believe this probably won’t work.

By: Squire Toad

Squire Toad — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:50:06 +0000

The Lockheed XFV most certainly DID both take off and land in the vertical. I personally have seen films of them taking off and landing. Indeed, the first few flights (to check the power train and aerodynamics of the aircraft) were from improvised “horizontal” fixed landing gear. But after that, ALL the flights were from the vertical.

Damned hard it was too, according to the pilot .. but doable.

The films are out there: go google them.

By: Revelation

Revelation — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:38:45 +0000

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.

By: wtf

wtf — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:59:31 +0000

I like how the first one apologizes for including an aircraft, and then all the rest are aircraft too.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:33:04 +0000

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.

By: John

John — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:52:51 +0000

James Bond flew a gyrocopter in You Only Live Twice

By: Bizhack

Bizhack — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:50:31 +0000

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 :)