Bristolflyer From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 1996 posts, RR: 1 Posted (7 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4170 times:
Having read the numerous threads on the looks of the A380, I thought I'd add my opinion. It isn't a beautiful aircraft, but it's going to be around for ages so we'll get used to it. I'm sure when the 747 came out it looked a bit odd with a bump on the top.
What is it exactly that people think is ugly about the A380 anyway? There's not exactly much you can do to change the aesthetics of an aircraft, it kind comes down to producing a long tube with wings, tail and a few windows!
Sandiaman From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 88 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 4042 times:
Here's my very subjective analysis:
We expect airplanes to look sleek. Personally, I like the 757 and A332 because they look like they were made to fly.
Ask yourself would you rather see a ferrari or a semi-truck?
Another thing. When viewed from the front, the A380 looks like a submarine with its enormous hull that is devoid of frontal passenger windows. Also, the hull and wings are enormous in comparison to the side passenger windows, and this makes the windows seem smaller--not good for claustrophic types.
Finally, we've only seen pictures of an unpainted plane, which is not very flattering to begin with. I imagine there's lots you can do with livery to make the aircraft look inviting to the passengers.
Nothing compares to the "Hunchback of Mukilteo" (the proposed 767X with the aft upper deck--anyone got a pic?)
Sandiaman From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 88 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (7 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3945 times:
I'm not taking this too seriously, but I never thought the 747 was the best looking A/C in the world either. VSX, which A/C looks nicer to you? the A332 or the A380? Oh, and leave the cargo carrying capacity out of it
VSXA380X800 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 421 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (7 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3940 times:
Well Sandiaman, the 3302/300's had been my favorite for a while but that doesn't mean I think the the 380 isn't;t a beautiful aircraft. It Just the people who worship Boeing and start up topics they know is going to be a A vs b wars. Some of us need to start something about the 747 for a change, don't you think
Sandiaman From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 88 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3941 times:
I wish someone would post a picture of the "hunchback of mukilteo", a Boeing proposed configuration of the 767-X.
I don't have a picture of it, but that wins the ugly contest hands down
VSXA380X800 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 421 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (7 years 10 months 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 3878 times:
Another thing. When viewed from the front, the A380 looks like a submarine with its enormous hull that is devoid of frontal passenger windows.
If the A380 is a submarine, The 747 is a fat 50 year old grandma with a double chin and 4 small ____(you can fill that in you self) You know what I'm tired of these threads. I have to say something back if no one will!
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2651 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (7 years 10 months 21 hours ago) and read 3852 times:
I have a book about Boeing that has an artist's rendition of the "hunchback of Mukilteo", I'll try to see if I can scan it onto my computer and then post it here.
Msl747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 411 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (7 years 10 months 18 hours ago) and read 3841 times:
Personally I think the 747 is one of the better looking Aircraft out there, and the A380 isn't horrible looking either, but the point of both these aircraft is to be as economical as possible by carrying the most passengers, not to win a beauty contest, although we might just decide to give them first prize!!!
Msl747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 411 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (7 years 10 months 12 hours ago) and read 3817 times:
I think we need to remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, while some people may think the A380 is ugly others may find it the most beautiful aircraft they have ever set their sights on, either way people are entitled to their opinion.
Spacecadet From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 2901 posts, RR: 16 Reply 10, posted (7 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3801 times:
Well this post is going to sound like I'm taking this really seriously but I'm not... I just feel like really giving my thoughts on this for once instead of just writing "man, that's an ugly plane" for the hundredth time....
Beauty is not strictly in the eye of the beholder. Studies have been done that show there are common traits that a majority of people see as "beauty" - otherwise it would be random chance what buildings are idolized, which men and women become famous for their looks, etc.
Some of it's subjective, but some of it's not. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that most people would think someone with straight, white teeth, symmetrical facial features and clean, smooth skin would be more beautiful than someone with yellowing, crooked and rotten teeth, a crooked, broken nose and a bad case of acne, even just going by my description, without a picture. It may not be completely politically correct to say it, but it's true - some people and some things are just more beautiful than others.
In an airplane, what is and isn't beautiful is more subtle, and maybe more subjective. But planes have lines and curves just like people do, and while there's no ingrained instinct that we have for how a plane "should" look (planes are not natural things, after all), I think people have a tendency to try to assign human or animal traits to the inanimate objects they look at and this is very easy to do with a plane, since it seems to have a face (even down to the "nose"), it has "wings", it has a "tail", etc. We think of planes really as large birds with human faces. And I think we determine beauty on that basis.
I personally think the A380 is an ugly plane, whereas I think the 747 is probably the most beautiful plane ever made. I have always thought that, and I can remember the days when the 747-100 was the current model (just saying people thought it was a great-looking plane from the beginning). It's just perfectly proportioned, and the hump has always given it a strong, sort of masculine look that most planes don't have. I've always thought the way Boeing's standard nose tapers looks just right (Boeing used basically the same nose shape up until the 757; it's just scaled up on the 747).
Now, the 747SP I've always thought was extremely ugly. The proportions are just thrown all out of whack; it doesn't look big and strong, it looks squat and fat. I also don't think the 747-400 looks as good as the earlier models - the extended hump makes it look a bit hunchbacked. But it's still basically a beautiful plane.
The A380, as big as it is, also looks squat and fat. Its body is too big around and it's got that stubby Airbus nose similar to the A320 series (I actually don't think the nose on the A320 line looks so bad; it kind of makes those planes look cute, but it looks out of place on the big A380). Its wings are also too big for its body (huge as it is) - they have to be big, I know, but I'm just talking aesthetics here. Seen from slightly above, the plane looks frankly ridiculous from the pictures I've seen of it leaving the factory.
I don't think all Airbus planes are ugly - I think the A340 is a nice-looking plane (better than the similar A330 - just looks better with four engines), and I think the A320 is cute, maybe even better looking than the 737 (which I've always thought was the worst-looking Boeing aircraft, though it's gotten better looking over the years as its gotten longer and received updated engines and an updated tail). But the A380 is butt ugly and there's no way I'll ever think anything different.
I'm tired of being a wanna-be league bowler. I wanna be a league bowler!
VSXA380X800 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 421 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (7 years 9 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3750 times:
The A380, as big as it is, also looks squat and fat.
Well I hope you mean the -800. The reason why it look "squat and fat" is because of the wing. It was made and designed for the largest variant the -900 and stayed the same because it will prove t be more efficient -800/-700's. The -700 for I fact will look "squat and fat" on all counts.
Its wings are also too big for its body (huge as it is), they have to be big
The same goes for above.
I know, but I'm just talking aesthetics here
Yes..... You are.
"But the A380 is butt ugly and there's no way I'll ever think anything different."
That your problem you have to resolve with your self.
I also don't think the 747-400 looks as good as the earlier models - the extended hump makes it look a bit hunchback.
I don't think the 744 is better looking airplane because all they did was increase the size of the hump .
VSXA380X800 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 421 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (7 years 9 months 4 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3743 times:
GREAT PHOTO
Where Do you find this ?!?!?!?!?!
...I sincerely hope this will not be the case when the A380 enters service.
But I do !
This is so funny!!!! LOL Thi will be passed down to my kids and my kids will pass this down to their kids! And we all will crack up when we see this photo! LOL TubbyBoeing, You did it again.
Tubbyboeing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (7 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 3734 times:
Hehehe VSXA380X800, thanks for that. I had this image on my computer (I think one of my friends' e-mailed it to me). Its pretty cool though, the guy who thought of this must be really clever
VSXA380X800 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 421 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (7 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 3724 times:
The reason why I so excited is because everyone says that the 747-400 is a new aircraft. The only thing that change is a larger hump , some color TV's the cockpit and new engines. The aircraft is still plain OLD 70's to me.
That photo still cracks me up.
I'm adding you to my respected list. ( still cracking up)
New Topic- "747 isugly and old But We Have To Get Use To It"