The Ugliest Aircraft in History
Text by Divan Muller
Over the past 118 years, many stunningly beautiful aircraft have been designed. The Spitfire with its elliptical wings, the delta-wing Vulcan, or French fighters, such as the Mirage 2000 and Rafale, immediately come to mind. Today, we will be looking at the other end of the spectrum. “Ah,” you may say. “As an aviation enthusiast, I am certain there is no such thing as an ugly aircraft!” That’s what I thought, until I discovered these aircraft…
Antonov A-40, USSR, 1942
Does this gliding T27 tank count as an aircraft? Suffice to say it was a frightening concept.
Does this gliding T27 tank count as an aircraft? Suffice to say it was a frightening concept.
AD Scout, Britain, 1915
The Scout was designed to attack Zeppelin bombers. It was developed by the British Air Department.
The Scout was designed to attack Zeppelin bombers. It was developed by the British Air Department.
McDonnell XF-85, USA, 1948
The ‘Goblin’ was an experimental fighter, which would have been carried and launched by larger bombers.
The ‘Goblin’ was an experimental fighter, which would have been carried and launched by larger bombers.
PZL Mielec, Poland, 1973
Nicknamed the ‘Noisy Demon’, this jet-powered agricultural aircraft
was designed for large Soviet farms.
Nicknamed the ‘Noisy Demon’, this jet-powered agricultural aircraft
was designed for large Soviet farms.
Caproni Stipa, Italy, 1932
Also known as the ‘Flying Barrel’, this aircraft contributed to jet engine development.
Also known as the ‘Flying Barrel’, this aircraft contributed to jet engine development.
Bell X-14, USA, 1957
Constructed out of parts from a Beechcraft Bonanza and Beech Mentor, the X-14 was powered by two turbojet engines. It could take-off and land vertically and remained in service for more than twenty years.
Constructed out of parts from a Beechcraft Bonanza and Beech Mentor, the X-14 was powered by two turbojet engines. It could take-off and land vertically and remained in service for more than twenty years.
Ilyushin Il-40, USSR, 1953
It seems form follows function with the Il-40. When its guns were fired, gases entered its air intakes and caused engine flameouts. As a result, the air intakes were moved all the way to the front of the aircraft.
It seems form follows function with the Il-40. When its guns were fired, gases entered its air intakes and caused engine flameouts. As a result, the air intakes were moved all the way to the front of the aircraft.
Bennett PL-11 Airtruck, New Zealand, 1960
Designed to replace Tiger Moths as a crop-dusting platform, the Bennet Airtruck was constructed from surplus Harvard parts. Thankfully, only two examples were built.
Designed to replace Tiger Moths as a crop-dusting platform, the Bennet Airtruck was constructed from surplus Harvard parts. Thankfully, only two examples were built.
Curtis Goupil ‘Duck’ Replica, USA / France, 1916
This aircraft was first designed in the 1880s and was supposed to be powered by a steam engine. It did not fly, but in 1916, Curtis built a flying example with a piston engine, to strengthen the company’s case in a control surface lawsuit.
This aircraft was first designed in the 1880s and was supposed to be powered by a steam engine. It did not fly, but in 1916, Curtis built a flying example with a piston engine, to strengthen the company’s case in a control surface lawsuit.
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-8 ‘Utka’, USSR, 1945
At the top, or perhaps the bottom, of our list, there is the MiG-8. This experimental aircraft was one of the first aircraft to use canards. As a research aircraft, it was quite useful to Soviet aircraft designers, but good looks were certainly not its forte.
At the top, or perhaps the bottom, of our list, there is the MiG-8. This experimental aircraft was one of the first aircraft to use canards. As a research aircraft, it was quite useful to Soviet aircraft designers, but good looks were certainly not its forte.
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