Most Beutiful Aircraft-again

I know this topic has been done but I have some new thoughts.

I would like to say that almost all military planes (excluding transport aircraft) have a certain element of beauty. The recent Russian planes (Su-27 family and MiG-29) have a real elegance about them, one not acheived by western aircraft (Gripen and Rafale excluded). US combat aircraft tend to have a meaty, “I’m gonna kick your head in” appearence which is beautiful itself. The F-15E cannot be ignored, it looks really mean. The F-16 is less good looking, especially with all those stores making it look… er… pregnant, I suppose.

Anyway, the most beautiful aircraft, in my opinion, is and was the SR-71! Truly the most stylish bird to grace our skies.

Ground attack aircraft: Su-24, Tornado and Aardvark have a functionality which contributes to their appearence. Nowhere in other fields of human design (outside the military) do you find machines designed purely out of the need for better performance etc. Cars can be beautiful but the effect is ruined because you know they’re meant to be so. Only in the millitary (espec aircraft) can you find truly beautiful man made objects, designed using only natures tried and tested formula “ignore all else, just make it work!”.

I’d love to hear (read) your thoughts.