WEIRDEST LOOKING AIRCRAFTS
The Beluga
The Beluga, which took its first flight on September 13th 1994 has been transporting Airbus component parts between the company’s European sites for the last 20 years or so. It is known as the ‘Beluga’ due to its resemblance to the white Artic whale. There are only five in the world, each plane is so huge that it can fit the wings of almost any other aircrafts.
The HondaJet Elite
The HondaJet Elite which costs £3.98m is now being delivered to customers globally – features an elegant pointed noise that was inspired by a pair of designer high heels. The plane design process was led by Michimasa Fujino, he sketched the design more than two decades ago after being inspired by a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo-designed heeled shoes.
Edgley Optica
The Edgley EA-7 Optica is a British light aircraft designed for low-speed observation work and is intended as a low-cost alternative to helicopters. The project began in 1974 and it took its first flight five years later on December the 14th. The aircraft’s distinct appearance has led it to being known as the “bug-eye” in some reports.
Lockheed Martin P-791
The Lockheed Martin P-791 is an experimental aerostatic and hybrid airship. It was designed as part of the U.S. Army’s Long Endurance Multi-intelligence vehicle program, but lost the competition to another design.
APRIL 2019 | MANE AEROSPACE, DEFENCE & SPACE | 11