Let's Remember the Ugliest Plane That Ever Lived

[Domenick]

I had to copy the image and do an image search to discover:

Fairey Gannet AEW.3 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Cool.

 

[F16CrewChief]

How about this NC-131H I photographed at Luke AFB in November 1984?
The aircraft's program manager stated that they were developing the X-29A's flight control software at the time.

He gave me a nice tour of the aircraft during its stop.

 

[magman]

That is the TIFS (Total In Flight Simulator). It was modified and operated by

Cornell Aeronautical Lab circa 1969.They later became Calspan during the numerous

Test Programs. These included the F-16 and the Space Shuttle . I know quite a few

folks that were involved with it. My brother logged a little time in it.

 

[F16CrewChief]

That is the TIFS (Total In Flight Simulator). It was modified and operated by

Cornell Aeronautical Lab circa 1969.They later became Calspan during the numerous

Test Programs. These included the F-16 and the Space Shuttle . I know quite a few

folks that were involved with it. My brother logged a little time in it.

Yeah,

I was pleased to see this aircraft when it stopped at Luke 40 years ago! The aircraft's program manager was amazed that I knew about the aircraft as he said most of the comments he got when the aircraft made a transient stop was how ugly the airplane was.
Have you ever seen a photo of the Boeing nose grafted onto one of these non-USAF Convair 580s: https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/p113637116/h1C28F6F7

The other Calspan aircraft I always wanted to see in person was the NT-33A with the F-94A/B nose grafted on it: https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/Lockheed-NT-33A/319733

They were neat airplanes!

 

[magman]

A Buffalo High School A &P Program

acquired the far lesser know aircraft ;the

F-94 with the T-33 nose .

Some of the students have/had careers

with Calspan.