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+--- Thread: Weird and Whacky 30s aircraft - the flying barrel aka bumblebee (/thread-13027.html)
Weird and Whacky 30s aircraft - the flying barrel aka bumblebee - Kornee - Oct 14, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErX-sIjew4A
"A Bizarre Fat Airplane that Changed Military Aviation Forever
The early 1930s saw the most extravagant aircraft with unique shapes and sizes as part of a widely experimental phase in the aviation industry. And still, the Stipa-Caproni stood apart...."
RE: Weird and Whacky 30s aircraft - the flying barrel aka bumblebee - C C - Oct 15, 2022
Didn't realize those old cartoons had a real life inspiration.
RE: Weird and Whacky 30s aircraft - the flying barrel aka bumblebee - Kornee - Oct 15, 2022
Sometimes it's a case of life imitating art, but yeah most likely here the other way round.
I pity the pilot who had to try and land that thing with such inherently restricted downward visibility. Taxiing too.
It's a prime example of focusing on one area of improvement but neglecting the drawbacks.
I have a brother with that problem. Could never talk him out of his single-minded dream of getting whole societies to abandon cars and take to the air in his 'ground breaking designed' flying cars.
Would have made him money if just going after a niche market of the well-to-do wanting bragging rights.
Or even cattle musterers wanting something cheaper to run than choppers.