There is a reason why airplanes mostly look the same, these are some of the most bizarre looking airplanes ever designed. Subscribe to Talltanic http://goo.gl/wgfvrr 8. NASA Hyper III This bizarre looking flying machine was created in the 60’s by NASA as a re-entry vehicle for their space modules. It was designed to imitate a pop out wing. In December of 1969( a few months after the Summer of 69, Bryan Adams I thank you)the Hyper III was launched from a helicopter at 10,000 feet. It flew about three miles, turned around, came back and landed. After the three-minute flight it was not flown again as NASA decided to end the project and cancel the program. 7. Northrop YB-35 The Northrop YB-35 was an early version of Luke Skywalker’s X-wing fighter. OK you got me, no it wasn’t. It a was flying wing bomber designed during World War II. I feel as if a five year old were in the room while it was being designed and said “ Dad, I want more propellers!” and the engineer replied, “Sure son” And there you have it. The Northrop was an experimental heavy bomber for the US Air Force. They only built a prototype. 6. De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle This sweet looking ride was built a single soldier recon mission vehicle. Although, it looks like you could bring it down with your trusty Red Ryder BB Gun(Christmas Story reference) “you’ll shoot your eye out kid!” This was built by the US in the mid 1950s and was intended to be flown by inexperienced pilots with a minimum of 20 minutes of instruction. However, it was quickly determined that the craft was much more difficult to fly than had been expected, and would not be safe in the hands of an inexperienced pilot. As more test flights were performed it was also determined it wasn’t that safe for experienced pilots either and they trashed the concept altogether. 5. Caproni Ca.60 Noviplano You know when you go out to your favourite pub for wing night where you can eat as many wings as you stuff yourself silly with for just 10 bucks! Well, that really has nothing to do with this tremendously winged aircraft. It’s wings, wings and more wings. Did I mention it has wings? This charming lady was from the early 1900’s as they tried to get boats to fly...This lovely girl flew once...then crashed...then was towed to shore...then burned to the ground, all the same day. I wonder if any of these designers were in on the Titanic build? 4. Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster When I first heard the name of this plane, I thought it would mix up a wicked batch of salsa...or maybe a really delicious kale and spinach smoothie. I was wrong. It was built as a high speed bomber in 1944. It is probably one of the most normal looking planes of this bunch, with the exception of the propeller in the rear. Although if an enemy fighter approached from the rear it might confuse the pilot thinking they were flying head on. 3. Bartini Beriev VVA-14 It’s beefy looking. This is the dude you want with you walking down a dark alley at night. Developed in the 70’s by the Soviets as a vertical take-off water and land aircraft.Designed to be able to take-off from the water and fly really fast over many miles, it was designed to fly mostly at high altitudes, but also have the be capable of 'flying' just as well above the surface of the ocean. The VVA-14 was designed by Italian-born designer Robert Bartini in response to a perceived threat by the United States Navy Polaris missile submarines. 2. McDonnell XF-85 Goblin I know what you’re thinking. This was the plane of Spiderman’s arch nemesis the Green Goblin! No, it was actually an American prototype fighter plane engineered during World War II by McDonnell Aircraft. It was supposed to be launched from the bomb bay of the giant Convair B-36 bomber as a defence fighter. The XF-85's main function was to defend bombers from enemy planes(or in WWII lingo….BOGEYS!). There was a tremendous need for this as US bombers were shot down a lot. Two prototypes were built before the project was ended. 1. Snecma Flying Coleoptere (C-450) The name of this fantastically scary looking craft actually means beetle in french.It was developed by the French company SNECMA in the 1950s. It was a one man plane, that wasn't a big hit with the ladies then and now. It was designed to take-off and land vertically. Obviously there was no need for a runway and they didn’t need much space .The only prototype built was completely trashed the ninth time it was flown and by the looks of this ugly beast, it’s probably just as well.

• published: 08 Feb 2016
• views: 141