Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The 1960's Era 'Dyke Delta' Homebuilt

Dave Williams' beautifully built Dyke Delta at Oshkosh 2010

 I can still remember being somewhere in the EAA campground at Oshkosh in about 1970 or 1971 and hearing John Dyke talking to someone about his Jetsons-like Dyke Delta. Even as a 10 year old I knew this airplane was something very special. I assumed then that the Dyke Delta would be built in large numbers because of its incredible look, its 3-1/2 place cabin, and the relatively high cruise speed of 170mph+ on 180hp. But for whatever reason, this high-performance flying machine never really caught on with homebuilders... only 50 or so have been built from the plans (no kits were available) despite the fact that the prototype for the JD-2 Delta has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flying time since its first flight in 1966.

Dave Williams' Dyke Delta in flight  (photo: eaa.org)
 

 Maybe the look was just too far into the future for people? I don't think that's it, but I did figure that the Dyke Delta is a perfect subject for an Awesome or Ugly poll. As I mentioned in the last AorU poll, every unusual design I've picked so far is one I personally think is awesome. That continues here with the Dyke Delta, which I think is one of the coolest collection of thoughts to ever wind up sitting on the flightline at Oshkosh. You avgeeks in the AirPigz camp usually agree with me, so let's find out again... please answer the poll question below: is the Dyke Delta awesome or ugly??

read more about John Dyke and his Delta in this EAA experimenter article from 2009

Like this post? Tell your friends... use the 'share' or 'email' article links below - thanx : )

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The Vought V-173 Flying Pancake

Is it a flying pancake, bug or just alien?  The 1942 Vought V-173 all-wing testbed

 I admit that my desire with the 'awesome or ugly' posts is mostly aimed at letting you know that I think the particular highly-unusual aircraft design is indeed awesome. But obviously there's no point or purpose to AirPigz without YOU, so that's why I put a poll with this so I can see if the majority of you think like I do. Interestingly, you've agreed with me (sometimes just barely, other times wildly) on every one so far except for the Shorts SC.1 VTOL testbed. I'd like to take a moment and let you know that I think this level agreeability speaks very highly of y'all... I'm impressed that you have such a fondness for unconventional thinking. Bravo!

It doesn't get much more unusual than the Vought V-173!

 This time around the chosen aircraft is the Vought V-173 'Flying Pancake'. There was only one built, with the first flight taking place in 1942. With that high deck angle and those massive props, it's easy to think of this all-wing testbed as a bit of a beast, but the reality is that it weighs about the same as an older Cessna 172 (both the empty and gross weights) and it's only got a total of 160hp coming from two 80hp Continental engines. There was a dream of evolving the design into the Navy Vought XF5U Flapjack fighter which had dimensions similar to the V-173 but it was powered by two 1,350hp engines and had a gross weight over 16,000 pounds! Two XF5U's were built but with the war over and the transition to jet aircraft underway, the Flapjack program was cancelled with nothing more than just some fast-taxi hops being accomplished.

Recently restored V-173 now at the Frontiers of Flight Museum  (photo: NASM blog)

 The one-and-only Vought V-173 was recently restored over an eight year period by retired employees of Vought.  The airplane is owned by the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum but will be on loan for at least 10 years to the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas Texas. You can learn more in this post on the National Air & Space Museum blog.

 I'll add that I am so mesmerized by the V-173 that if I had the resources I would absolutely consider building a flying replica of the aircraft. Can't you just see me arriving at Oshkosh 2017 in a beautiful replica Flying Pancake! This thing has 'me' written all over it : )

 Vote now... do you think the Vought V-173 is awesome, ugly, or awesome AND ugly?

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The 5 Engine, Short SC.1 VTOL (1950's)

Short SC.1 - Britain's first VTOL demonstrator aircraft - first flown in 1957 (1958 VTOL)

 I admit that I'm fascinated by experimental military aircraft from the 1950's... it was such an incredible time of let's learn everything we can! This unusual looking jet, the Short SC.1, is definitely one that fascinates me. It's Britain's first VTOL testbed, built by Short in Belfast in the last 1950's.

 With a delta wing, fixed landing gear and awesome 'spaceship-of-the-future' bubble windshield, the SC.1 was first built with just one centerline mounted Rolls Royce RB108 turbojet engine to allow for conventional takeoff and landing tests. The first flight of this version was on April 2, 1957. The 2nd and only other SC.1 was fitted with four more RB108's mounted vertically in the middle of the fuselage and made its first tethered vertical flight on May 26, 1958. By October of 1958 it had made its first completely free vertical flight. The first vertical to forward-flight transition was made in 1960.

 With fixed landing gear and 5 turbojet engines, the SC.1 was a very unusual jet!

 The SC.1 had a remarkable career as a VTOL testbed and both examples remain today, the first aircraft on display at London's South Kensington Science Museum and the second at Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Northern Ireland. However, it is important to note that the second aircraft did crash in 1963 due to a control malfunction killing the pilot J.R. Green. The aircraft was rebuilt and testing continued thru the late 1960's. All SC.1 testing ended in 1971.

 The SC.1 provided much valuable data on vertical flight and control, tho the use of 4 vertically-mounted engines for lift and just one for forward thrust proved to be an inefficient method... the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 (predecessor to the Hawker Harrier) first flown in 1960, proved that one large engine could be used to provide vectored thrust for both vertical and forward flight.

 I'm voting 'awesome' in the poll, but what do you think of the Short SC.1?

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? Ed Lesher's Record Setting 1960's Era 'Teal'

The late Professor Ed Lesher in his early 1960's record setting homebuilt 'Teal'

 I have a pretty long list in my head of aircraft (and the people behind them) that I hope to do in-depth postings on at some point in the future. That'll most likely happen after I become somewhat wealthy and have lots of extra time - obviously, don't hold your breath! Anyway, Professor Ed Lesher (1914~1998) and his 'Teal' are definitely on the list.

 The all-metal homebuilt Teal that he designed, built, and first flew in 1965 was a significant part of my early years of Oshkosh from 1970 thru 1975. Seems like the airplane was always on display out on the flightline, and as a kid who really enjoyed unusual aircraft design, I spent a lot A LOT of time looking the airplane over. I'll say it right now, I love this little airplane and think it's off-the-scale awesome!

 Not only did the Teal look different, but it was quite effective in accomplishing the goals that Ed had for it: setting records. With its Continental O-200 100 hp engine, it was built to compete in the 500kg (1,102 lbs) class, and by 1968 Ed had captured the records for fastest speed over the 500 km (181.55 mph), 1,000 km (169.20 mph), and the 2,000 km(141.84 mph) distances.

Ed Lesher's Teal, part of the EAA Museum collection, on display at Oshkosh 2012

  Ed and his homebuilt Teal represent the amazing bridge between a talented tinkering man and expanding the envelope of aerodynamic knowledge that the EAA and the 60's and 70's embodied. I wish we could go back to that era right now, I miss it. (don't misunderstand, there's plenty of that going on today, but it was different back then, and I'd say it was better back then)

  So anyway, you know how I feel about the Teal, but what do you think? Is is Awesome or Ugly?

Checking Out Interesting Avgeek Opinions In Recent AirPigz Polls

The 'voted very awesome' Piaggio P.180 Avanti!

 I really enjoy putting up polls for avgeeks to vote in, and I'll admit that it's partly to see what you think and mostly to try to make some sort of point. I've always considered myself a bit of an eccentric thinker... not a bizarre weirdo, but someone who makes a specific effort to look a little deeper and with a longer view in mind. So you can imagine that I'm both surprised and pleased to see that all of the recent polls I've put up have had the majority of votes swing in favor of my point of view. Either I'm getting less eccentric in my old age or there's a lot of really cool thinkers following my work here : )

 With all this in mind, I thought it would be good to point y'all to the AirPigz 'poll' category in case you've missed some of the more recent opportunities to sound off with your avgeek opinions. After you click the category link you can scroll down thru the last year-and-a-half of polls pretty quickly. If you go back too far you might catch some polls that were set up with a different website and they might not even function anymore. The current poll website I've been using has finally been a good and effective solution. 

 The 'Awesome or Ugly' polls have all swung in favor of the unique or odd aircraft that I have presented. I've intentionally picked aircraft that I ultimately felt were awesome in those polls, but I have been pleased to see that there is a lot of agreement there. I'm especially please that the Piaggio P.180 Avanti is running with an almost 85% 'Awesome' rating and only a little over 3% calling it ugly. That gives me a lot of hope for avgeeks everywhere!

The livery poll just barely agrees with my opinion of American's new paint: fail

 American Airlines has been dealing with a fair amount of displeasure over their recent paint change. I just have to say again: this is all you could come up with? I think this was a huge opportunity lost. When you make the commitment to repaint such a large stable of airplanes, and when image is more important than ever, you just can't miss the mark by this much. It's an even bigger deal with the recent American/US Airways merger intent.

 I found this design concept while doing some searching around, and I think it's fantastic, especially when compared to what the airline came up with. I can't seem to find the original source for that design, but I think it's just an unofficial effort by a real person... as opposed to a highly paid staff of advertising professionals who would be happy to tell you how amazing their work is, all while carrying a large check for their 'work' to the bank. Sometimes the world makes no sense at all.

My retro styled logo has been a huge success going up against the current EAA logo

 The EAA logo issue that I've been addressing for quite a long while now has sure been satisfying for me. The original poll (on a more frustrating poll website) was up over 70% approval for my retro styled EAA logo, and now, the new poll I put up back in October 2012 is running over 77% with nearly 400 votes in. That's pretty overwhelming in my opinion. I sure wish I had some power to back up my views.

 If you scroll thru those recent polls in the AirPigz poll category, you'll also see the question about whether a rebuilt 1940's era Piper Cub makes more sense as an LSA than the new Van's RV-12 SLSA. I'm also very pleased to see that the $50,000 Cub is way out in front against two modern factory built LSA's; the RV-12 SLSA and the Tenn-Air CH750 SLSA. I'm not against those other two airplanes in any way, but the rebuilt Cub just makes sooo much more sense for an ailing aviation.

 Anyway. I'm one opinioned dude, and I'm happy to be that way... and I'm sure you have opinions too. So take a few minutes and find the polls that you haven't voted in before and share those opinions!

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The Boeing 307 Stratoliner (Plus CoolPix)

Designed in the late 1930's, this is one of only 10 Boeing 307 Stratoliners built

 The Boeing 307 Stratoliner, the first pressurized commercial transport, would have been a much bigger success if World War II hadn't begun at pretty much the same time as the aircraft was introduced. The Stratoliner was at the cutting edge of aviation design in 1940 but by the end of the war it was quickly being left behind by bigger and faster aircraft like the Lockheed Constellation. However, the Straoliner's older sister, the B-17, became a key player in winning the war and proved without any doubt that this basic aircraft design was extremely capable.

 Only 10 Stratoliners were built, and the only one remaining is on display at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy facility. The recent AirPigz NASM MeetUp gave me my first opportunity to see the Stratoliner up close, and of course it was a real treat to be in her presence. I've always been a big fan of this airplane so it's no surprise that I've voted her to be 'awesome' in the poll below... but what do you think?

(click pic for hi-res) The only Boeing Stratoliner left, on display at the NASM Udvar-Hazy

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The Piaggio P.180 Avanti/Avanti II

The very unique design of the extremely fast 3-lifting-surface Piaggio P.180 Avanti

 I was just finishing up high school back in 1979 when the initial design work was being done on the Piaggio P.180 Avanti, and thanks to Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine I was able to follow along with the development of the airplane. I admit that I loved the airplane way back then and I still do today. The 3-lifting-surface configuration makes this flying machine pretty easy to pick out of a line up! And the updated Avanti II, certified in 2005, injected new life into this design and truly made the airplane a success.

The exotic and very unusual (maybe too unusual?) Piaggio Avanti turboprop

 
 There so much about this airplane that's different than your typical business class turboprop, and interestingly, the max cruise speed that tickles 400 knots means that there aren't any other turboprops that can compete with the Avanti. The P.180 offers jet speeds with a roomy and comfortable cabin with overall enhanced efficiency. And the Avanti fleet passed the 500,000 flight hours mark back in 2010... it's just a really unique and very good airplane.

 But the big question of the day: is the Piaggio P.180 Avanti/Avanti II Awesome or Ugly?

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The 1946 Sud-Ouest SO.6000 Triton

The future is now! (1946 French style) - the Sud-Ouest SO.6000 Triton 2-seat jet

 In the mid 40's the French were running a little behind on their jet aircraft designing... this little 2 seat side-by-side effort was their first jet, making its first flight in 1946. It was designed by Lucien Servanty who would later become one of the primary engineers responsible for the supersonic Concorde. That's a pretty impressive pedigree to say the least! Interestingly, I find the Triton to be one of the coolest looking aircraft because it seems to have so much of that 'futuristic' look that was popular in old films and comic books. It's sleek and simple, with a really small wing and just the right curves. Even the windshield design looks very futuristic to me. And those main gear legs are mounted about half way out those itty bitty wings! Lots and lots of cool going on here.

Only five of the French Sud-Ouest SO.6000 Tritons were built

 With only five having been built, and nothing very remarkable about its performance, the Triton is mostly a curious little sidebar in aviation history. The prototype was actually powered underpowered by a Junkers Jumo jet engine (like used in the German Me 262, tho the 262 had two engines) because the French designed engine intended for it wasn't completed yet. The other Tritons built wound up having a far more powerful British Rolls Royce Nene engine fitted thus improving performance.

Stubby wings and sorta futuristic spacecraft look of the 1946 French SO.6000 Triton

 Regardless of the fact that it was never put into production for military service as intended, I'm voting on the 'awesome' side of the poll on this one for sure! But what about you? Do you say awesome, ugly or both?

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? 1928 Fairey Long-Range Monoplane

The rather large and unusual 1928 Fairey Long-Range Monoplane

 Please vote in the poll at the bottom of the post to let me know if you think the Fairey Long-Range Monoplane is Awesome, Ugly, or both : )
 

 If you've been paying close attention to this fairly new poll feature I call 'Awesome or Ugly?' you'll have noticed that this is only the third posting, but the second one to include an airplane built by Fairey. That's purely a coincidence. I will add however that the trend so far has been for me to post airplanes that I think lean well over on the 'awesome' side of the fence. That may change in the future, but for now that trend continues as I think this 1928 Fairey Long-Range Monoplane is extremely awesome.

 With an internally braced and fabric covered wing with an 82 foot span, the Long-Range Monoplane was an exercise in learning more about how to make an airplane travel very long distances. Two of these 570hp Napier Lion powered aircraft were built, with the first having a tragic accident in 1929 while on a second attempt to set a distance record. The second aircraft was built in 1931 and it then set a long-distance world record of 5,410 miles in 1933. Imagine flying 50 hours or more in an aircraft like this! What an amazing time in the history of aviation.

A lean fuselage, loads of wing and some big wheels: Fairey Long-Range Monoplane

Poll: Awesome Or Ugly? The Late 1950's Fairey Rotodyne

The higly unconventional late 1950's Fairey Rotodyne - vote now: Awesome or Ugly?

 The first ever Awesome or Ugly poll with the 1931 Vickers Type 161 was a rather great success, both for the poll in general and for the Type 161... with about 200 votes, that really interesting 1931 pusher biplane snagged an 'awesome' score of almost 87%. Quite an impressive performance for such an unusual looking flying machine! However, I did have a few voters suggest a third option of both 'awesome and ugly', so you'll note that this new poll centered on the late 1950's Fairey Rotodyne gyroplane includes all three options for you. (poll below video)

 Like the first poll, this one is easy for me - the Fairey Rotodyne is pure AWESOME! The tip-jet powered rotor meant that this big boy could make vertical takeoffs without the need for a tailrotor and then that rotor autorotated in cruise flight, using the twin 2,800 shp turboprops and the small wing to push forward cruising to speed to about 175 mph. With a cabin capacity of 40 passengers, the Rotodyne was big enough to offer some serious practicality potential. However, those tip-jets were extreme loud during the few minutes they were used during takeoff and landing which seems to have led the program to cancellation even tho the aircraft performed amazingly well. Watch the video below, and then cast your vote in the second Awesome or Ugly Poll!