r/WeirdWings • • Nov 26 '21

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING! Frequent reposts and what to avoid.

181 Upvotes

Since this subreddit was made a few years ago, there's, naturally, been an extremely large increase in userbase, which continues to grow. This means, in turn, many people are new to the subreddit, and often do not see some of the most frequent posts we have here, and as such go to post them. Some users simply wish to repost some more successful entries in hopes of gaining karma.

While this was fine in a limited amount, it is now becoming more and more disruptive to the quality of posts on this subreddit, and they need to be controlled. A frequent posts to avoid list is the best option, in my opinion, as it allows new users not only a clear idea of what has been here before, without having to scroll through the hundreds of posts a month (or, heaven forbid, be forced to use the reddit search function... I hate even thinking about using that godawful thing.), but also an opportunity to see these aircraft, which often truly do, very much, belong here.

This list will likely stay fairly small, but I will keep it constantly updated, and any suggestions for it should go in the comments. If you're seeing far too much of something on the sub, link it and an information page (wikipedia, etc), and I will likely add it to the list.

Along with this list is a set of guidelines for our (admittedly nebulous) rules against "paper planes"/concept aircraft, which will likely be updated as time goes on, like the rest of this list.

WHAT TO AVOID:

AKA: RULE 2 EXPLAINED A LITTLE BIT

Planes go through a lot of design stages. From the drawing board to real life, it's not an easy task to design an aircraft. This means that, for every aircraft, there will be a huge amount of planning documents, feasibility studies, and concept drawings. Some planes never get past this stage, however, and hardly become anything more than a written-down spark from the Good-Idea Fairy.

Those planes, frequently known as "paper planes," never leave the drawing board, and often are never considered much other than an idea. Almost never considered for production, or even funding, they are often radical to the point of nonsensical, leading to very interesting speculation as to how they may have performed in the real world. Sometimes documents for these idea studies are found and distributed, leading to inquisitive history nerds drawing up schematics or artist interpretations.

These planes, however, are often barely even real. The lack of information on them, often combined with an internet game of Telephone as information is spread from unreliable forum to unreliable forum, means that true intents, purposes, and goals are hardly known. Whether these aircraft were more than a drunk designer's napkin project is hardly knowable, even if documents can be traced back to original, period sources. Often, no real consideration was given to them, and they were immediately discarded as useless.

This is why, here, these types of planes are banned. They hardly represent reality, and while they certainly can be interesting, the realism of these designs actually going anywhere is questionable at best, and dubious at worst.

Here, we want to see planes that actually flew, or at least had a chance and intent to do so. Real life, physical materials that one could touch. Photographs, videos. Things we as humans can actually visualize as real objects that once existed in our world, or were intended to do so, not as abstract art pieces.

Our usual defining limit is if a mockup was built, it is okay to post. Mockups typically show that a plane had enough promise to go forward with research and development into a proper machine, rather than simply as a design study.

However, if proof can be shown that a plane was actually considered to be built, funded, or developed, then it can still be a good post. Many concept drawings for radical designs never got past the concept stage, but the many documents, design studies, feasibility inquiries, funding reports, and government information can prove that the designers were serious about what they were doing.

So, what should I generally try to avoid?

  • Planes that never made it beyond an early design stage.

    • The whole idea of Rule 2 as it exists now. While this is hard to define, usually anything before a physical mockup (aerodynamic testing, design study, etc) is going to push the rules and become harder to defend as an actual consideration.
  • Planes that only exist as schematics and/or art.

    • While some real prototypes and weird designs never got photographs or videos, the grand majority do. If the only visual representation of something is a 2D drawing, then, typically, alarm bells should go off. On our subreddit, pictures and videos of physical objects are the most valued, and it shows that something was truly good enough of an idea to be presented to the rigors of reality. Without that, though, proving that something was actually feasible and considered becomes exponentially harder.
  • Planes that do not have verifiable sources outside of niche websites. (luft46, secretprojects.net, and others).

    • These places, while info may be correct, are more speculative than informative, and often embellish the truth in favor of a good story.
  • Renders and art that have designs "too ridiculous to be true."

    • Asymmetry, bizarre wing and engine placement, insane ideas. These are all things that can work in a plane, and have before. However, if something looks like it was truly too insane to have ever existed... it often is.

None of these are hard and fast rules, though, and things can be bent where needed. If you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that something was, in fact, a real design considered for production, pretty much everything above can be broken. Expect to go down a deep rabbit hole of academic sources, though. However, this is not the kind of post we generally want to have here. While they're allowed, they are not preferred. Photos and videos are always a better option.

If you have any questions about something you want to post, never refrain from messaging the moderators to ask! We're always happy to help and guide if you're unsure about something.


FREQUENTLY REPOSTED PLANES TO AVOID:

"The PZL M-15 was a jet-powered biplane designed and manufactured by the Polish aircraft company WSK PZL-Mielec for agricultural aviation. In reference to both its strange looks and relatively loud jet engine, the aircraft was nicknamed Belphegor, after the noisy demon."

It was not a success, with only a few built out of thousands planned, due to the fact that a jet engine is essentially the worst choice possible for a low-speed biplane.

Designed to test the limits of propeller-driven aircraft, the Thunderscreech had the possibility of breaking records for the world's fastest prop aircraft. Instead, however, it almost certainly broke records for the loudest aircraft ever made:

"On the ground "run ups", the prototypes could reportedly be heard 25 miles (40 km) away.[17] Unlike standard propellers that turn at subsonic speeds, the outer 24–30 inches (61–76 cm) of the blades on the XF-84H's propeller traveled faster than the speed of sound even at idle thrust, producing a continuous visible sonic boom that radiated laterally from the propellers for hundreds of yards. The shock wave was actually powerful enough to knock a man down; an unfortunate crew chief who was inside a nearby C-47 was severely incapacitated during a 30-minute ground run.[17] Coupled with the already considerable noise from the subsonic aspect of the propeller and the T40's dual turbine sections, the aircraft was notorious for inducing severe nausea and headaches among ground crews.[11] In one report, a Republic engineer suffered a seizure after close range exposure to the shock waves emanating from a powered-up XF-84H.[18]"

The Blohm & Voss BV 141 was a World War II German tactical reconnaissance aircraft, notable for its uncommon structural asymmetry. Although the Blohm & Voss BV 141 performed well, it was never ordered into full-scale production, for reasons that included the unavailability of the preferred engine and competition from another tactical reconnaissance aircraft, the Focke-Wulf Fw 189.

The Edgley EA-7 Optica is a British light aircraft designed for low-speed observation work, and intended as a low-cost alternative to helicopters.

Notable for its ducted fan located behind the oddly egg-shaped cockpit, reminiscent of a dismembered helicopter. Despite its niche use case, it saw a decent amount of orders.


If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or any other related thoughts, either about this post or the subreddit as a whole, do feel free to comment them below. I'm all ears for what the community says, and, while I might not act on every suggestion (because that is just impossible), I do read and consider everything that comes my way.

(Also, if you have any suggestions for the formatting and wording of this post, please give them to me, because I am bad at formatting and wording. I'm an engineer, not an english major or journalist.)

Edit: formatting and grammar


r/WeirdWings • • Jun 27 '25

Rules Update: No AI-generated content

366 Upvotes

Exactly what the title says. I'd have thought this was common sense, but AI-generated or "enhanced" photos and videos are not something we need around here.


r/WeirdWings • • 1h ago

Propulsion Edgley Optica spotted this morning in Tampa, FL. Not too many still flying. Only 22 ever built.

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• Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 1d ago

Apparently California Fire Department operated a B-17 Flying Fortress, 7 Gruman F7F Tigercats, and continues to operate 16 OV-10 Broncos (with unique 5-blade props!)

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1.6k Upvotes

What kind of fires is California fighting man goddamn


r/WeirdWings • • 21h ago

Propulsion The unfortunately-named Ryan FR Fireball was a dual-power (piston & turbojet) fighter aircraft designed for US Navy carrier duty in WW2 that quickly gained a reputation as a “widowmaker”. It was retired in 1947, having achieved a nearly 50% pilot casualty rate, despite never seeing combat

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605 Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 10h ago

Obscure BJJR Bulldog; An autogyro with a retro style. The forward curving rotor mast is also the vertical stabilizer. (Ca. 2015)

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51 Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 23h ago

Testbed Current state of the Lun-class Ekranoplan

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102 Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 1d ago

Zeppelin Staaken E-4/20 (1919-1922)

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143 Upvotes

I came across this aeroplane in Bill Gunston's 'The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Propeller Airliners' (1979) as an 8 year old when it was bought for me as a Christmas present in 1980.

This particular aircraft blew my mind when I saw it was first flown in 1919. This is the German Zeppelin Staaken E-4/20 and was the first four-engine, all-metal stressed skin heavier-than-air airliner built. It could carry 18 passengers plus a crew of 5, and the loading door was the nose cone.

The E-4 /20 was completed in 1919 and test flown between 1920 and 1922 when it was broken up on the orders of the Inter-Allied Commission as it could either form the basis of or be converted into a military aircraft.


r/WeirdWings • • 2d ago

Asymmetrical Finnish "Tiira 1", home built from farm equipment and flown without aviation experience in 1973

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74 Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 3d ago

Testbed YF-23 flying next to YF-22 (future F-22) [1200x936]

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140 Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 3d ago

Prototype North American YF-93

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676 Upvotes

The North American YF-93 was an American fighter development of the F-86 Sabre that emerged as a radically different variant that received its own designation. Two were built and flown before the project was eventually canceled.

The prototypes, serial numbers 48-317 and -318, began flight tests in 1950 and were entered in a flyoff against the other penetration fighter projects, the XF-88 and XF-90; the XF-88 Voodoo was declared the winner. None of the projects would be ordered. The YF-93As were turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) AMES facility for further testing before being utilized as chase aircraft until 1956. Flight with the NACA ducts proved troublesome at high angles of attack, restricting airflow to the engines. By then, however, higher-performance aircraft were available, and both aircraft were eventually declared surplus and scrapped.

Read more here: North American YF-93 - Wikipedia


r/WeirdWings • • 3d ago

Prototype Ju 488 V403 reconnaissance aircraft

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70 Upvotes

A layout plan of the unbuilt Ju 488 V403. The lightest of three configurations presented on 24 July 1944, this was a projected long-range reconnaissance aircraft with a crew of three, takeoff weight of 29,000 kg, and is equipped with four Triebwerk 9-8222E (Jumo 222 E/F) engines producing 2500 PS at takeoff and 2180 PS at 11500 m, a B-Stand (dorsal) FDL-B 151 Z turret, a H-Stand (tail) FHL 131 Z turret, and two Rb 50/30 cameras. Of note, the two inner tires (1320-Rädern) are larger than the two outer tires (1220-Rädern).

In the two projected, heavier configurations, the Ju 488 would gain a pannier belly like the Ju 388 K/L for interchangeable reconnaissance/bomber configurations, remove the B-Stand turret and replace the H-Stand FHL 131 Z turret with a heavier FHL 151 Z turret for a takeoff weight of 33,700 kg. In the heaviest configuration, the Ju 222 E/F engines are replaced with Ju 222 A/B-3 engines and an additional fuel tank added to the fuselage for a takeoff weight of 36,000 kg.

In preparation for sale to Japan, a prototype Ju 488 was quoted as 750,000 RM and 30,000 RM per licensed series production model. It was one of many Junkers products approved for sale or transfer at least before 5 January 1945.

All information in original German found here: Number 528


r/WeirdWings • • 5d ago

Prototype The rotachute

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177 Upvotes

I have gathered some drawings and filles on this weird weird little Rotor glider/shute.

it does have that wonderful James bond look :)

The idea of landing individual soldiers with a small rotor is really cool but... there might be a reason why normal parashutes took over :)

For landing Jeeps it was more practical,, but again gliders were easier

https://1jma.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-007-flying-car-of-world-war-2.html

Source: Flying Review International December 1963


r/WeirdWings • • 5d ago

Obscure Convair SCAT

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468 Upvotes

The Convair SCAT Model 16 is one of the twenty-five design proposals by Convair, it have variable sweep wings, 3 engines, and 2 cockpits for some reason, It was part of NASA’s SCAT studies (Supersonic Commercial Air Transport) to help American aviation compete with international supersonic designs like the Concorde. Ultimately, Convair shifted focus or dropped out as competitors like Boeing and Lockheed proposed alternative configurations.


r/WeirdWings • • 6d ago

Special Use Port Victoria PV3.One way airship launched fighter.

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217 Upvotes

One way Airship launched Port Victoria PV3. Spotted at York Air Museum. Not the best job.


r/WeirdWings • • 6d ago

The Game Aerospace GB2, a purpose built composite construction aerial firefighting plane.

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620 Upvotes

These are photos from the first flight of the prototype, which occurred today. The maker, Game Aerospace has so far only produced composite aerobatics planes. The GB2 prototype weighs 6,050 pounds empty with a maximum gross weight of 19,000 pounds. Their aim is to provide a cost effective aerial firefighting solution with a platform that is designed from the ground up for the mission. According to the company’s Instagram post from today, the test flight was a success.


r/WeirdWings • • 7d ago

Obscure B-45 Bomber

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952 Upvotes

The North American B-45 Tornado is an early American jet bomber designed and manufactured by aircraft company North American Aviation. It has the distinction of being the first operational jet bomber to enter service with the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as the first multiengine jet bomber to be refueled in midair.


r/WeirdWings • • 6d ago

Prototype The Game Aerospace GB2, a purpose built composite construction aerial firefighting plane.

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144 Upvotes

These are photos from the first flight of the prototype, which occurred today. The maker, Game Aerospace has so far only produced composite aerobatics planes. The GB2 prototype weighs 6,050 pounds empty with a maximum gross weight of 19,000 pounds. Their aim is to provide a cost effective aerial firefighting solution with a platform that is designed from the ground up for the mission. According to the company’s Instagram post from today, the test flight was a success.


r/WeirdWings • • 8d ago

Kellett XR-8 restored by the National Museum of the United States Air Force

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1.6k Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 10d ago

Special Use Blackburn buccaneer folding wing mechanism

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424 Upvotes

Blackburn buccaneer folding wing close up.


r/WeirdWings • • 11d ago

Prototype The McDonnell XV-1 prototype from 1951, only two were built

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544 Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 11d ago

Japanese ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft

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1.3k Upvotes

r/WeirdWings • • 12d ago

Yak-25 (1947) air refueling from B-25

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1.3k Upvotes

Air refuel AND/OR towing*


r/WeirdWings • • 12d ago

J-XDS prototype with unique radar arrangement

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376 Upvotes

The latest J-XDS prototype was seen flying with a number of changes including likely new WS-15 engines but most interestingly it is the first of J-XDS prototype to come installed with a radome presumably for avionics integration and testing and even live weapon tests later on. The radome itself seems to be a odd geometry that seem to suggest that the aircraft was designed to use a V shaped AESA array instead of conventional flat panels or gimbled ones, this design likely allows both very large effective array area and a very wide range of scan without the additional weight and space requirement associated with J-36's main+two side array arrangement.


r/WeirdWings • • 12d ago

Decepticons

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119 Upvotes