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  #1  
Old 04-20-2020, 08:21 AM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
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Default Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Watching the discussion on the RV-4A really brought this saying to the forefront.

Every time I look at a Skyhawk I wonder if we would think it was a good looking plane, if it wasn't so common. (Ok, "good looking" might be the wrong term for the 172 but it isn't ugly.)

The RV lineage is good looking, just not gorgeous, with one exception, in my eye. This is saying a lot when you consider they are mostly straight lines. Other airplanes of similar design and construction material don't pull it off, say the Zenair 601/650 for example.



The side-by-side RV's all look good as either a tail dragger or with a nosewheel.

However, add a nosewheel to an RV-8 and all I can think of is (sorry folks):


In my humble opinion, the best looking homebuilt ever designed (I'm not talking about performance, just looks.) is:


Out of curiosity, what do you consider the best and worst looking homebuilts? (There are plenty of ugly and gorgeous production planes but for this exercise, let's leave those out.)
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  #2  
Old 04-20-2020, 08:34 AM
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Default Blackshape is pretty nice

I have to say I like this one:

http://blackshapeaircraft.com/en/prime/



Looks like a mini Turbine Legend.
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  #3  
Old 04-20-2020, 09:24 AM
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Default



Piper Tri-Pacer is a nice flying plane (looks acquired taste).... and that nose wheel is built like a steel bridge, it never will fold up.
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Last edited by gmcjetpilot : 04-20-2020 at 09:27 AM.
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  #4  
Old 04-20-2020, 10:09 AM
MED MED is offline
 
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rv8ch View Post
I have to say I like this one:

http://blackshapeaircraft.com/en/prime/



Looks like a mini Turbine Legend.
Pretty, but the specs say ?Day VFR, no aerobatics.? Looks like Van?s wins again!
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  #5  
Old 04-20-2020, 10:16 AM
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rv8ch rv8ch is offline
 
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Default Looks

Quote:
Originally Posted by MED View Post
Pretty, but the specs say “Day VFR, no aerobatics.” Looks like Van’s wins again!
True, but I thought it was only about looks! If it's looks and utility and cost, well, the RV-8 is the clear winner!

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Last edited by rv8ch : 04-20-2020 at 10:19 AM.
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  #6  
Old 04-20-2020, 10:38 AM
WingsOnWheels WingsOnWheels is offline
 
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Default

Turbine Legend:


Velocity:
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  #7  
Old 04-20-2020, 12:12 PM
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RV7A Flyer RV7A Flyer is offline
 
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Old 04-20-2020, 12:18 PM
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Even though a nose dragger, it's a 10.



Regarding the Tri-Pacer, it's pretty awkward looking. But its cousin the Pacer is a fine looking airplane.
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Last edited by Low Pass : 04-20-2020 at 12:22 PM.
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  #9  
Old 04-20-2020, 12:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR View Post

Out of curiosity, what do you consider the best and worst looking homebuilts? (There are plenty of ugly and gorgeous production planes but for this exercise, let's leave those out.)
There are myriad ugly homebuilts out there, but far be it from me to criticize *anyone* who has completed their own airplane.

(But remember the old adage...if it's weird, it's French; if it's ugly, it's British; and if it's weird AND ugly, it's Russian ).
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  #10  
Old 04-20-2020, 01:19 PM
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Mel Mel is online now
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Low Pass View Post
Even though a nose dragger, it's a 10.
Nose dragger doesn't count negatively if you can "hide" it!
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