Picture of the day

[Dark Alley Dan]

Amazing the progress they made in 21 years.

In my mind, some of the best looking aircraft of all time came out of that period between 1945 and 1970. The whole Century Series, the XB70, the always astonishing SR71/A12. The most jet-looking jets ever. Everything looked like a lawn dart or a hood ornament. Beautiful, fast looking things.

And now we have misshapen tumorous skywhales like this:

A fugly graceless appliance, no style, no class, performing a rigid duty with unerring accuracy. What a soulless glob of an object. I know it's the way of the future and technologically it's MILES beyond anything from 1969, but it stirs in me all the same passions that a soup can would.

Jesus, look at it. Blech.

 

[bogusiii]

A fugly graceless appliance, no style, no class, performing a rigid duty with unerring accuracy. What a soulless glob of an object. I know it's the way of the future and technologically it's MILES beyond anything from 1969, but it stirs in me all the same passions that a soup can would.

Jesus, look at it. Blech.

Tell me they didn't design that front end to look like some kind of a reptile, complete with fangs and a little yellow eye.

 

[grelmar]

Tell me they didn't design that front end to look like some kind of a reptile, complete with fangs and a little yellow eye.

They designed it the way they designed the A-10 - around the payload.

It's a minimalist, aerodynamic, blob, designed to be exactly large enough to carry the optics and electronics surveillance gear it was built to carry, within a specified flight duration at a specified altitude at a specified speed.

Odds are, computer algorithms did most of the design work, and an engineer glanced over the results and said "Yah, whatever" and hit the print key to spin off a hard copy of the schematics.

And speaking of the A-10, and designing around the payload...

 

[camster]

...
It's a minimalist, aerodynamic, blob, designed to be exactly large enough to carry the optics and electronics surveillance gear it was built to carry, within a specified flight duration at a specified altitude at a specified speed...

Aerodynamic, and built to a purpose for sure. I see the beauty in form based on function though. This ain't a particularly ###y bird, but does fit thread n' theme only from the great war..

Forerunner of the drone (pic scooped from http://warnepieces.########.ca/2012/07/the-predators-ancestors-uavs-in-great.html)

What's the difference between a drone and cruise missile? You're happy when the drone returns to base...

 

[Brno8x57]

In my mind, some of the best looking aircraft of all time came out of that period between 1945 and 1970. .

Same could be aid for a lot of automobiles

 

[AP]

Same could be aid for a lot of automobiles

yes!! like this Sugga ( http://www.volvosugga.org/Site/Volv...log/Entries/2013/5/15_Nearing_completion.html )

 

[Bendeco]

yes!! like this Sugga ( http://www.volvosugga.org/Site/Volv...log/Entries/2013/5/15_Nearing_completion.html )

That is cool!

 

[diopter]

North Americian F108 Rapier. Cancelled along with the B70

 

[gerard488]

In my mind, some of the best looking aircraft of all time came out of that period between 1945 and 1970. The whole Century Series, the XB70, the always astonishing SR71/A12. The most jet-looking jets ever. Everything looked like a lawn dart or a hood ornament. Beautiful, fast looking things.

And now we have misshapen tumorous skywhales like this:

A fugly graceless appliance, no style, no class, performing a rigid duty with unerring accuracy. What a soulless glob of an object. I know it's the way of the future and technologically it's MILES beyond anything from 1969, but it stirs in me all the same passions that a soup can would.

Jesus, look at it. Blech.

Yes,I agree it is downright ugly and looks like it would have more wind resistance than a hi cube boxcar. But then who would believe that the big ugly bulbous bow on the front of a ship would make it faster and more fuel efficient?
http://4.bp.########.com/-57mKNcrlvdg/UFLsKcJ2FWI/AAAAAAAAAdo/plqTr14f8t0/s1600/Bulbous.JPG

 

[bearhunter]

DSC 6934 - Canadian Pride.jpg

Sure looks like the AVRO ARROW. Maybe one of them that just disappeared???

 

[fraserdw]

DSC 6934 - Canadian Pride.jpg

Sure looks like the AVRO ARROW. Maybe one of them that just disappeared???

Same scientists. US aviation and NASA scooped all our guys up after the guvermint cancelled arrow.

 

[kjohn]

Boxer Rebellion troops sporting the new-fangled Gew 98. They look like big fellas!

View attachment 48192

 

[shredder]

^^^^I never could figure out what the spike on German helmets of that era was for. Anyone know??

The frickin' bayonet looks like it's a mile long!!!!

 

[purple]

^^^^I never could figure out what the spike on German helmets of that era was for. Anyone know??

The frickin' bayonet looks like it's a mile long!!!!

The helmet was made of leather. The spike was intended to deflect a downwards sword blow to the head. It didn't work too well against shell fragments and shrapnel which prompted the adoption of the steel helmet. Great ornamentation though.

 

[dauph197]

Well… this is not a bayonet! We should find another word! It does not make sense. I found the P1907 way to long but at least, the blade is thin… what about this one?!

 

[grelmar]

Well… this is not a bayonet! We should find another word! It does not make sense. I found the P1907 way to long but at least, the blade is thin… what about this one?!

Sabre Bayonet. They were all the rage back in the 1860's-early 1900's.

Here's a couple of Frenchmen sporting their spiffly new Gras Rifles with bayonets attached, circa 1874(ish)

 

[grelmar]

The idea was to extend reach, as with the bayonet attached it could be used as a pike against cavalry.

And if the going got particularly up close and friendly, you could detach the bayonet and have a good ol' sporting sword fight.

 

[donor]

Guy on the right has his bayonet hanging on belt yet he also has one on his rifle-loaner rifle?

Those staged photos are puzzling sometimes regardless of era or nationality

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Yes,I agree it is downright ugly and looks like it would have more wind resistance than a hi cube boxcar. But then who would believe that the big ugly bulbous bow on the front of a ship would make it faster and more fuel efficient?
http://4.bp.########.com/-57mKNcrlvdg/UFLsKcJ2FWI/AAAAAAAAAdo/plqTr14f8t0/s1600/Bulbous.JPG

The bulb is to hide a satellite uplink antenna. The reason the US has so many UAS's is they control the satellite comms. Little birds need line of sight or maybe an orbiting aircraft loitering on purpose.

As ungainly as they may be, they have a massive advantage over the go-fast fleet. These birds are designed to go-slow, and be stable as possible for their sensors.

 

[shredder]

The helmet was made of leather. The spike was intended to deflect a downwards sword blow to the head. It didn't work too well against shell fragments and shrapnel which prompted the adoption of the steel helmet. Great ornamentation though.

I knew the picklelhaube (sp?) was made from leather and worn both on parade and into battle. BUT, I never thought that the spike was intended to be a defensive item. Learn something new every day!!! Thanks purple!!!