At first, I thought this was an aviation hoax. I always took for granted that there was some kind of physics principle that required airplanes to have the right side and left side mirror images. However, the German Luftwaffe had a reconnaissance plane that was radically asymmetrical. This was the Blohm and Voss Bv. 141. It must have to be the weirdest airplane ever designed, built, and actually flown! Why the Germans decided to design this airplane, I have no idea. But also, the three guys (pilot, observer, and gunner) that rode in the cockpit must have had a lot of daring. They made about 20 of these planes; and they were described as 'operational.'
Actually, symmetry is not necessary. The airplane's center of gravity is between the crew nacelle and the motor-tail assembly. Also, the wings have unequal lengths.
Congratulations on your 700th post! Looking forward to the next 700. As for the airplane, I personally think it's dumb to have a reconnaissance airplane designed with a big old engine nacelle blocking the view to one side of the cockpit ... but maybe that's just me. I also liked Heidi's engineering explanation.
My name is Angélique (or Angel). I'm a Cajun native of New Orleans, LA. I'm a
blonde in my learly 30's. I'm married and full-time stay at home mommy of a daughter. Politically, I'm independent, with contrarian leanings.
I still have some traces of my Cajun/Yat accent despite having been in the groves of academe.
I hope you won't mind my odd sense of humor.
13 comments:
That IS a weird looking plane, looks OK from the side, but from the top or bottom, whew!
Happy 700th post!
too funky! i'm with you - i'd be quite unsettled riding in that!
Actually, symmetry is not necessary. The airplane's center of gravity is between the crew nacelle and the motor-tail assembly. Also, the wings have unequal lengths.
That is one weird looking airplane.
Now on you go to post 750. 3/4 of the way to 1000.
That is the weirdest plane I've ever seen. I think I'd be afraid to fly in it, that it would just list to one side and go around in circles! ;-)
Did the designer use LSD?
i don't think the designer should put that plane on his/her resume'
well done on your 700th - that's a lot of quirky little interesting things.
Selling that turkey would be a major job.
Hmmmm...maybe that's where we got the idea for launching the X-15 along with Werner Von Braun!
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
http://youtu.be/TR5SYp948kw
Congrats on 700!
I always enjoy your posts, Angel.
Its amazing it flew!
Congratulations on your 700th post! Looking forward to the next 700. As for the airplane, I personally think it's dumb to have a reconnaissance airplane designed with a big old engine nacelle blocking the view to one side of the cockpit ... but maybe that's just me. I also liked Heidi's engineering explanation.
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