The most unusual aircraft in the history of aviation. The most unusual aircraft photo Experimental aircraft around the world military

Not all planes look the way we used to imagine them. The history of the development of aircraft construction knows many examples that have a completely unusual shape. Similar unusual examples collected inside this post.

One description of the possibilities that the designers bestowed on their monstrous offspring is impressive: vertical takeoff and landing, amphibian, ekranolet ... The VVA-14 of the Soviet-Italian designer Robert Bartini took off in 1972 and was also supposed to have a very impressive payload. Alas, the project turned out to be too ambitious: only one of the two copies produced has survived to this day and is quietly living its life in the aviation museum in Monino near Moscow.

Cetaceous

But the Aero Spacelines Super Guppy is neither tiny nor cheap. This transport aircraft, created on the basis of the Boeing C-97, is capable of lifting up to 25 tons and carrying them over a distance of more than 3,000 km. Released in the amount of only five copies, it is designed to transport oversized cargo, and one of them continues to be in operation to this day - it allows you to deliver large-sized elements of the ISS from factories to the spaceport in Florida.

By and large, the M2-F1 should be called simply a glider of a strange design: it had not only wings, but also an engine. This light and tiny aircraft was created in the early 1960s to test technologies related to the aerodynamics of the "carrying body" layout. The device simply clung to a full-fledged aircraft with a cable - and rushed after it. Unlike our other heroes, he cost the developers literally a penny - only 30 thousand dollars.

Crooked Wing

oblique wing experimental aircraft Ames-Dryden-1 became only temporary: in 1979-1982, this strange apparatus was created at NASA to study the possibilities and prospects of the layout of the "rotary asymmetrically variable sweep of the wing." Certain aerodynamic advantages of such a scheme, indeed, were found, but the disadvantages, apparently, outweighed them, and the project was closed. By the way, the famous designer Burt Rutan, the developer of modern stratospheric vehicles SpaceShipOne and SpaceShipTwo, participated in the work on AD-1.

round beetle

The experimental French Snecma Coleoptere (C-450) is another representative of insects: its name simply means "beetle". A single-seat aircraft with a turbojet engine was created in the late 1950s and had to accommodate one pilot, climb and land vertically. Unfortunately, this is all that the "beetle" was capable of - its flight turned out to be so unstable that there was no point in continuing work in this direction.

The developers of Lockheed XFV solved the old problem of vertical takeoff and landing radically: the experimental turboprop fighter switched to a horizontal position only in the air, and on the deck (it was planned that the aircraft would be based on non-aircraft carriers) remained standing on its powerful tail. No wonder he got the nickname "Salmon". Despite initially successful trials, the program was canceled in 1954.

bomb

The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin jet fighter, developed in the United States in the late 1940s, had to not only move, but also be based in the air, aboard the Convair B-36 heavy bomber. The prototype became perhaps the smallest fighter in history - and, alas, it did not go into the series, and the pilots earned the insulting nickname "Flying Egg".

Dragonfly

The original design, as conceived by British engineers, could make it possible to reduce the wingspan by increasing their number. However, the prototype carrier-based bomber M.39B Libellula, named after the genus of dragonflies, famous flight aces, did not demonstrate the proper abilities. The idea of ​​a four-winged apparatus had to be abandoned.

An experimental VTOL fighter Vought V-173 was created by order of the US Navy during World War II. It was planned that such aircraft could give an effective air wing to sea convoys that could not be covered by full-fledged aircraft carriers. However, the development encountered such difficulties that the war ended before such a device was brought to mind.

asymmetrical

The reconnaissance aircraft Blohm & Voss BV 141, developed in the Third Reich, was produced in the amount of several dozen copies and received mixed reviews from pilots and designers. The crew was placed in the gondola on the right, and the tail unit shifted to the left gave the machine gunner a better view.

From the very day when man first took to the air, he did not stop for a single day in his search for new and more and more perfect forms and designs. Every year, engineers from all over the planet created new aircraft. Sometimes they got something that, it would seem, would not be able to fly.

1. M2-F1

Strange, but it flies. |Photo: blogspot.com. In 1963, the USA tested the M2-F1 aircraft, which they wanted to use to return astronauts to Earth. Engineers jokingly nicknamed their creation "Flying Bath". The dimensions of the device were 6.1x2.89 meters, and the mass reached 454 kg. The Flying Bath was operated by a single pilot. The tests took place for 3 years, after which the project was closed. Now M2-F1 is a museum piece at Edwards Base.

2. Stipa-Caproni

Looks like something from another planet. |Photo: soulblog.ru. This aircraft was created by the Italian engineer Luigi Stipa in 1932. The master called his creation "intubed propeller". Despite a number of bold ideas and good aerodynamic performance, the "flying barrel" could not surpass the existing aircraft in terms of its parameters. Moreover, the car was extremely inconvenient to drive.

3Vought V-173

The first vertical takeoff aircraft. |Photo: mansden.ru. For its characteristic design, this aircraft was jokingly nicknamed the "Flying Pancake". The Vought V-173 was created in 1943 by American engineer Charles Zimmerman and became the first machine with vertical takeoff. The wingspan of the device was 7.1 meters, and the maximum speed could reach 222 km / h. The plane was conceived as a carrier-based bomber. It can now be seen at the Smithsonian University.

4XF-85 Goblin

Bomber watchdog. |Photo: livejournal.com. The smallest jet fighter in history called the XF-85 Goblin was created in 1948 by McDonnell. It was assumed that the egg-shaped apparatus would be placed in the bomber compartment. Only pilots who passed the most severe selection could drive the car - height no higher than 172 cm and weight no more than 90 kg (already in equipment). The project was closed in 1949.

5 Aero Spacelines Super Guppy

It is still flying. |Photo: vistapointe.net. One of the most unusual aircraft in the world, largely due to the shape of its fuselage. The car was created in 1962. The plane looked so strange that every skeptic doubted that the Aero Spacelines Super Guppy could even take off. However, the “Flying Whale” was able not only to take to the skies, but also took 24,500 kg of cargo with it.

6. K-7

The project was closed for a number of reasons. |Photo: mirtesen.ru. The multi-purpose Soviet K-7 aircraft was a real "Flying Monster". They wanted to use it both as a military vehicle and as a civilian one. The length of this giant was 28 meters, and the wingspan was 53 meters. The mass of the apparatus is 21 thousand kg. The aircraft could carry 112 paratroopers or 8.5 tons of bombs. In a military modification, 12 firing points were also installed on it. After 7 successful test flights, during a new test, a disaster occurred that claimed the lives of 15 crew members. Over time, the project decided to close.

7. Inflatoplane

rubber plane. |Photo: popmech.ru. The project of the American company Goodyear from 1956 specifically for the Pentagon. The aircraft is a hybrid of an airship and hot air balloon. Most of the body was made of rubberized nylon. The “rubber plane” was driven by an engine with a power of only 60 hp.
And it's not a joke. ¦Photo: popmech.ru. In the non-working state, the device fit into a small box, which made it possible to carry it even in the trunk of a small car.

McDonnell Douglas X-36 tailless fighter

Monster of the Caspian Sea, The Caspian Monster is an experimental ekranoplan, which was developed by Rostislav Alekseev in 1966.

"Caspian monster"

De Lackner HZ-1- A device that allows you to conduct reconnaissance operations.

De Lackner HZ-1

Stipa-Caproni- The fuselage of the experimental Italian aircraft is made in the form of a barrel (1932).

Stipa-Caproni

Blohm & Voss BV 141- The aircraft that was supposed to be used by German intelligence officers during World War II. Features an asymmetrical design.

Blohm & Voss BV 141

Libellula- Thanks to the double wings and two engines, the pilot had good review, which made it possible to make successful landings on aircraft carriers. 1945

Libellula

North American XF-82– Escort aircraft, consisting of two connected P-51 Mustangs. 1946

North American XF-82

Northrop XB-35- Military development of the bomber was intended for the US Air Force.

Northrop XB-35

Martin XB-51- US assault aircraft, equipped with 3 engines. It features an unconventional design: both engines are located under the nose of the aircraft, the third - in the tail section.

Martin XB-51

Lockheed XFV «The Salmon»- Experimental development, take-off "from the tail" is possible.

Lockheed XFV «The Salmon»

Avro Canada VZ-9 "Avrocar"- The plane is made in the form of a disk, can make a vertical takeoff. US secret project.

Avro Canada VZ-9 "Avrocar"

HL-10- The construction was completed thanks to the Lifting Body Research Program project led by NASA.

Douglas XB-42 "Mixmaster"-The bomber project was created in 1944. The aircraft is capable of flying at very high speeds.

Douglas XB-42 "Mixmaster"

Dornier Do 31– Experimental transporter, vertical takeoff is possible.

Dornier Do 31

Aerodyne Alexandra Lippisha - The aircraft has two coaxial internal propellers. Wings are missing.

Aerodyne

McDonnell XF-85 Goblin- One of the prototypes of a military aircraft. According to the plan of the engineers, the launch was to take place from the hatch of the Convair B-36.

McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

Vought V-173- Military aircraft destined for the US Navy.

Vought V-173

Hyper III– Aircraft with the ability remote control. Developed by NASA.

Hyper III

VVA-14- Amphibious aircraft.

Snecma C-450– Project of French engineers. A distinctive feature is the possibility of vertical takeoff and landing. 1958

Snecma C-450

Ames-Dryden (AD)-1- On the basis of this aircraft, the principles of the variable wing were studied.

Ames-Dryden (AD)-1

B377PG- an air vehicle for the transport of goods.

X-29- A reverse swept wing is used.

Douglas X-3 Stiletto- Used to test a new design to overcome the speed of sound. 1953-1956.

Douglas X-3 Stiletto

Be-200- An aircraft with great functionality.

Proteus– There is a double wing and two engines. Designed in Scaled Composites.

Caproni Ca.60 Noviplano- Nine-winged flying boat. The prototype of the liner, which was supposed to fly across the Atlantic with 100 passengers on board. Equipped with 8 engines. The pontoons along the edges gave stability. The first flight ended unsuccessfully, the plane took off, but just 18 meters after that it crashed.

A300-600ST("Beluga") - An airliner characterized by a wide fuselage. Designed for transporting large loads.

With development aviation industry more and more aircraft designers began to present their seemingly unusual projects. Each of them differs in the concept of the structure, some of them completely changed the laws of aerodynamics and lift.

The most unusual cargo planes

Airplane Super Guppy transporter designed to transport bulky cargo. The aircraft was developed by the American company Aero Spacelines. In total, five copies and two modifications of the aircraft were created.

The airplane, better known as the Model Ship or the Caspian Monster, is an experimental apparatus capable of taking off from the water, which is still the largest in the world today. The aircraft had a steal length of 37.6 meters, the length of the fuselage reached hundreds of meters. The tests took place monthly for fifteen years, but in 1980, due to pilot error, the plane suffered a serious accident, as a result of which, fortunately, no one was injured.

An experimental circular aircraft called the Vought V-173 was built and first flown in 1947. The aircraft had an unusual design that surprised the engineers with its shape and performance. The project provided for the possibility of vertical or shortened takeoff and landing with a small braking distance.

The most unusual experimental aircraft

The unusual project of the large American company Nasa called "M2-F1" from the first days of its existence received the unusual nickname "bath for flights". The main purpose of the aircraft was to use it as a soft landing capsule for astronauts. For the first time, a wingless aircraft took to the skies in August 1963, and a few years later it crashed with the fatal outcome of the pilot.

Between 1979 and 1983, a series of tests of two jet-powered HiMATs were conducted at one of NASA's additional airfields. Each of the devices was half the size of the famous F-16 strategic bomber, but it had greater speed, maneuverability and controllability. At a speed of 400 km per hour and an altitude of more than seven kilometers, the drone made a sharp combat turn of 180 degrees and withstood a maximum overload of + 8g, which was quite high compared to the F-16. To date, both devices are exhibits unsuitable for flight, and are stored in the Nasa estate.

The development of an unmanned aircraft, called the McDonell Douglas X-36, was created in order to test the flight as well as the aerodynamic capabilities of tailless aircraft. The device took to the skies for the first time at the end of the last century, and made a number of successful flights and tests.

The Ames AD-1 aircraft is the first and only aircraft in the world to date equipped with an oblique wing, which is located with a slight deviation to the right along the central axis of the aircraft. For the first time, the device left the earth in 1979, and over the next three years participated in numerous tests. During the research period AD-1 was tested and evaluated by more than 15 pilots. Today, this unusual oblique airplane is located at the museum site of the American city of San Carlos.

The device, named VZ-9-AV Avrocar, is a kind of flying saucer with the ability to perform vertical takeoff, flight and landing. A miracle of technology developed popular company engaged in the production of aircraft. For the first time, the device took to the skies in the late sixties, but just two years later the unusual project was frozen due to low power and flight characteristics.

The fighter, which is built in the form of a flying wing, was built and first launched in 1945 by the American organization Northrop. It was planned to use the aircraft as a strategic bomber, but it crashed on the first flight.

The Boeing X-48 is a test drone that was created by the joint efforts of two of the largest US aircraft manufacturing companies: Boeing, which manufactures aircraft, and Nasa, which manufactures and launches aircraft and rockets. The first takeoff of the aircraft from the ground took place in mid-2007. During the test flight, he climbed to a height of more than two kilometers and successfully landed in the designated place half an hour after departure.

The NASA Hyper III aircraft is another project of the American organization Nasa, created in the late 1970s. The aircraft uses a combined keel and stabilizer system, which, as a result of the combination, are two control surfaces located at an angle of 45 degrees from the fuselage.

The HL-10 is one of the many NASA missions that have been used and designed to study the flight performance of single-fin wingless airplanes after their return from near space.

The development of the Russian military aviation Su-47 modernization "Berkut" is an unusual development of the Russian single-deck combat fighter, which was created in the Sukhoi Bureau. The aircraft has an unusual wing whose sweep has a negative coefficient. The aircraft uses a large amount of composite materials, which reduces the weight of the aircraft by one quarter. The first aircraft was manufactured and launched for the first time at the end of the last century, and it is still used as an experimental model.

The Grumman X-29 is a prototype forward-swept carrier wing aircraft with all control surfaces (roll and pitch). In total, two such copies have been preserved.

The pointed-nosed aircraft, called the Douglas X-3 Stiletto, is an American experimental aircraft, the main task of which was to conduct a series of tests to overcome top speed and maneuverability.

The descent passenger compartment, which was built in 1963 and was part of the American Apollo project, the main task of which was to land on the moon. The device is equipped with one liquid-fuel jet engine.

The most unusual helicopters

The Boeing Vertol VZ-2 is the world's first and only rotary-wing helicopter to use the latest rotating wing concept. The device first flew and hovered in the air in mid-1957. After a series of experiments, the device was handed over for further use at NASA.

The S-72 is an experimental helicopter-airplane, the first flight of which was made in October 1976. After three flights, the funding for the project was terminated.

At the end of the last century, due to the constant needs Soviet Union in terms of transporting wheat and grain, the development and further creation of a huge and lifting helicopter began. In August 1969, a world record for the carrying capacity of such vehicles was achieved on a super-heavy helicopter of the MI V-12 type. The helicopter lifted on board a cargo of 40 tons to a height of more than two kilometers. In total, about eight records were achieved on this twin-rotor helicopter.

It's amazing what kind of aircraft can be assembled with enough effort, pure creativity and a lot of money invested in the project. An overview of the unusual designs of aircraft, helicopters and descent vehicles, from flying saucers to "Caspian monsters". Expensive, experimental and often never left the ground.

Wingless. NASA's M2-F1 project was nicknamed the "flying bath". The developers saw its main purpose in use as a capsule for landing astronauts. The first flight of this wingless aircraft took place on August 16, 1963, and exactly three years later on the same day, the last one took place:

Remote controlled. From mid-1979 to January 1983, two remotely piloted HiMAT vehicles were tested at NASA Air Force Base. Each aircraft was about half the size of the F-16, but had almost twice the maneuverability. At a transonic speed of sound at an altitude of 7500 m, the device could make a turn with an overload of 8 g, for comparison, the F-16 fighter at the same heights can withstand an overload of only 4.5 g. At the end of the research, both devices were saved:

Tailless. The McDonell Douglas X-36 prototype aircraft, built for one purpose: to test the flying abilities of tailless aircraft. It was built in 1997 and, as conceived by the developers, could be controlled remotely from the ground:

Crooked. Ames AD-1 (Ames AD-1) - experimental and the world's first oblique wing aircraft Ames Research Center and Burt Rutan. It was built in 1979 and made its first flight on December 29 of the same year. Tests were carried out until the beginning of 1982. During this time, AD-1 mastered 17 pilots. After the closure of the program, the aircraft was placed in the Museum of the city of San Carlos, where it is still located:

With rotating wings. Boeing Vertol VZ-2 - the first in the world aircraft, using the concept of a rotary wing, with a vertical / short takeoff and landing. The first vertical takeoff/hover flight was made by the VZ-2 in the summer of 1957. After a series of successful tests, the VZ-2 was transferred to Research Center NASA in the early 60s:

The largest helicopter In connection with the needs of the Soviet national economy and the armed forces in the design bureau. M. L. Mil in 1959 began research on a super-heavy helicopter. On August 6, 1969, an absolute world record for lifting cargo was set on the MI V-12 helicopter - 40 tons to a height of 2,250 meters, which has not been surpassed to date; in total, 8 world records were set on the B-12 helicopter. In 1971, the B-12 helicopter was successfully demonstrated at the 29th International Air Show in Paris, where it was recognized as the "star" of the salon, and then in Copenhagen and Berlin. B-12 is the heaviest and most lifting helicopter ever built in the world:

Flying saucer. The VZ-9-AV Avrocar is a VTOL aircraft developed by the Canadian company Avro Aircraft Ltd. The development of the aircraft began in 1952 in Canada. November 12, 1959 made the first flight. In 1961, the project was closed, as officially stated due to the inability of the "plate" to get off the ground above 1.5 meters. In total, two Avrocar devices were built:

Strange looking. Fighter in the form of a flying wing Northrop XP-79B, equipped with two jet engines, was built in 1945 by the American company Northrop. It was assumed that he would dive on enemy bombers and break them, chopping off the tail section. On September 12, 1945, the aircraft made its only flight, which ended in disaster after 15 minutes of flight:

The plane is a spaceship. The Boeing X-48 (Boeing X-48) is an American experimental unmanned aerial vehicle, created jointly by Boeing and NASA. The device uses one of the varieties of the flying wing. July 20, 2007 he first rose to a height of 2300 meters and landed after 31 minutes of flight. The X-48B was the best invention of 2007 according to the Times.

Futuristic. Another NASA project - NASA Hyper III - an aircraft created in 1969:

flying pancake. Experimental aircraft Vought V-173. In the 1940s American engineer Charles Zimmerman created an aircraft with a unique aerodynamic design, which still continues to amaze not only with its unusual appearance, but also with its flight characteristics. For his unique appearance, he was awarded many nicknames, among which was "Flying Pancake". It became one of the first vertical/short takeoff and landing vehicles:

Descended from heaven. The HL-10 is one of five NASA Flight Research Center aircraft used to study and test the ability to safely maneuver and land on a low lift-to-drag craft after it returned from space:

Reverse sweep. Su-47 "Berkut" - a project of the Russian carrier-based fighter, developed in the OKB. Sukhoi. The fighter has a reverse-swept wing; composite materials. In 1997, the first flying copy of the Su-47 was built, now it is experimental:

Striped. The Grumman X-29 is a forward-swept prototype aircraft developed in 1984 by Grumman Aerospace Corporation (now Northrop Grumman). In total, two copies were built by order of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency:

Take off vertically. The LTV XC-142 is an American experimental tilt-wing VTOL transport aircraft. He made his first flight on September 29, 1964. Five aircraft built. The program was discontinued in 1970. The only surviving copy of the aircraft is on display at the US Air Force Museum:

"KM" (Layout Ship), also known abroad as the "Caspian Monster" - an experimental ekranoplan developed in the design bureau of R. E. Alekseev. The ekranoplan had a wingspan of 37.6 m, a length of 92 m, and a maximum takeoff weight of 544 tons. Before the appearance of the An-225 Mriya aircraft, it was the heaviest aircraft in the world. Tests of the "Caspian Monster" took place in the Caspian for 15 years until 1980. In 1980, due to a pilot error, the KM crashed, there were no casualties. After that, operations to restore or build a new copy of the CM were not carried out:

Air whale. Super Guppy is a transport aircraft for transporting oversized cargo. Developer - Aero Spacelines. Issued in the amount of five copies in two modifications. First flight - August 1965. The only flying "air whale" belongs to NASA and is operated to deliver large-sized products for the ISS:

Pointy-nosed. The Douglas X-3 Stiletto is an American experimental monoplane aircraft manufactured by Douglas. In October 1952, the first flight of the Douglas X-3 aircraft took place:

For flights to the moon. This descent module, built in 1963, was part of the Apollo project, which was the first manned landing on the moon. The module was equipped with one jet engine:

Rotorcraft. Sikorsky S-72 - experimental helicopter. The first flight of the S-72 was made on October 12, 1976. The flight of the upgraded S-72 took place on December 2, 1987, but after the following three flights, funding was discontinued:

Airplane-rocket. The Ryan X-13A-RY Vertijet is an experimental VTOL jet aircraft developed in the United States in the 1950s. The developer is Ryan. The customer is the US Air Force. In total, two such aircraft were built: