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Double T
15th May 2009, 03:00
For me there is no hesitation.

The Lockheed Constellation. Any variant except an EC-121.
They were such beautiful aircraft, they take my breath away to this day.
Flat gorgeous with propellors too.
Would you believe this plane first flew in January of 1943?

Tim
Red Admiral
15th May 2009, 11:41
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c84/AviationImages/BevColor.jpg

Blackburn Beverley. Maybe not in terms of looks but I'm told it was great for playing football in the empty cargo space.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c84/AviationImages/7601085961_Breda-ZapataBZ308-_2.jpg

I quite like the Breda BZ.308 from immediately postwar as well. I found some new pics of it on a visit to Filton the other day which I'll have to try and scan.
Ricky
15th May 2009, 13:02
dH Albatrss must get a look-in here:

http://www.johnjohn.co.uk/compare-tigermothflights/photos/DH91_Albatross_2.jpg

though I agree with the Connie being a looker.

Other contenders are:

dH Comet

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Commercial_Aviation/PostWWII/Tran26G4.jpg

Aerospatial Caravelle

http://altijdeenmening.web-log.nl/photos/uncategorized/aerospatiale_caravelle_proto_scan_345151.jpg

DC-3

http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/wonder_of_flight/images/dc3_500.jpg
Ricky
15th May 2009, 13:03
Darn 4-picture limit!

Possibly the mosdt obvious choice - Concorde!

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/media/concordeChronology15.jpg
Lightning
26th May 2009, 18:41
Hi Double T,

For me there is no hesitation.

The Lockheed Constellation. Any variant except an EC-121.
They were such beautiful aircraft, they take my breath away to this day.
Flat gorgeous with propellors too.
Would you believe this plane first flew in January of 1943?

Tim

I agree completely. It looked fast, it was fast, and it had the most graceful lines of any airliner--ever! Its major competition in the airline industry of the 1950s was the Douglas DC-7. They were very closely matched in performance, but for class, there was no comparison. It was the Super Constellation, hands down.

Regards,
Lightning
Nick Sumner
3rd June 2009, 19:35
I'm with Ricky, Concorde.
Ricky
4th June 2009, 10:12
In my opinion, the Connie's lines were slightly marred by the use of radials - a beautifully slick plane with flat-nosed engines?
Lightning
6th June 2009, 22:27
Hi Ricky,

In my opinion, the Connie's lines were slightly marred by the use of radials - a beautifully slick plane with flat-nosed engines?

Take another look at those engine cowlings on the Super Constellation. They are are certainly not "flat-nosed."

Regards,
Lightning
Morgan3
22nd February 2010, 12:16
Nice post, keep up the good work
Kutscha
22nd February 2010, 13:29
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2753752485_9e28026618_o.jpg
Lightning
23rd February 2010, 17:33
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2753752485_9e28026618_o.jpg

Good picture that illustrates my point--nicely cowled with a taper that covers and fairs-in the outer portions of the engine while the streamlined spinner covers the center. The L-1649A "Starliner"--an improved Super Constellation--has even more-streamlined engines.
Ricky
24th February 2010, 10:57
It still looks lumpy compared to a streamlined inline, like those on the Albatross.
Lightning
26th February 2010, 18:50
Hi Ricky,

It still looks lumpy compared to a streamlined inline, like those on the Albatross.


Be that as it may, when it comes to beauty, style, and grace, the Super Constellation is the gold standard against which all other propliners are judged.

Regards,

Lightning