YOU THINK THE A380 IS BIG?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:41 am

Have a gander at this beast, proposed by designer Norman Bel Geddes in 1929, as "the airliner of 1940":

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:49 am

It looks like a cross between a plane and a cruise ship. I love the fact that it has a bar and a dining room!

squid · Post by **squid** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:52 am

Wow, does that bring back some memories. As a young boy, and even for a time while I was a teenager, I fancied becoming an aerospace engineer. I used to pour over books on the history of aerospace, and I remember seeing that design in a little paperback issued by Penguin. I never really liked it, but it's a bold idea that clearly never died (there's talk of putting casinos and shopping concourses in some A380's). It always reminded me of one of those old Flash Gordon films.

On the off-chance that anyone cares -- I doubt anyone does -- I think Boeing's probably got it right with the 787. Both planes are wonderful pieces of engineering, but IMHO the 787 is a more elegant approach.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:11 am

Did this thing ever fly?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:25 am

I can imagine that the ride in those staterooms out in the wings could be quite interesting during even light chop or moderate turbulence.

On the other hand, if the staterooms were generally in use for "mile high club" activities, maybe nobody would notice.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:55 am

And I bet that "lookoff" would be real interesting. A bit windy perhaps?

...Dean

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:58 am

No, that never flew, but luxury similar to that was a feature of some of the huge transoceanic Zeppelins, such as the Hindenburg. Back in those days, travel was assumed to be slow, so comfort was an important issue. Later, as heavier-than-air craft were refined, speed became the dominant criteria, comfort, less so.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:01 am

Dean, I think that reads "lookout." They would have a crew member in each wingtip to help the pilot avoid bumping into, oh, maybe a continent or something.

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:02 am

Now that's a concept aeroplane if I ever saw one. I like it. Unfortunately it would never have been very practical. It probably would have been challenging to fly. Look at all those power plants that would need to be synchronized.

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:16 am

I used to collect radios and I always wanted this "Patriot" which was designed by Norman Bel Geddes:

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/11/na/hod_2001.722.11.htm

janglerocker · Post by **janglerocker** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:20 am

Maybe the term "lookout" was meant as a scenic viewing area for passengers vs. a crew lookout? Wouldn't catch me out there, though!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:42 am

How 'bout this one?

Kind of in the same vein...it's a Raymond Loewy pencil sharpener from 1939:

It's got the lowest Cd of any sharpener ever made...

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:25 am

Cool sharpener! Would that be considered deco or streamline?

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:34 am

I think that the sharpener is a great looking design, but look at the table that Paul built.

Now that, is way too cool.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:48 am

Thanks, Brian. It's actually the counter in my office. It's AFG. The table is FG and is at my home.

George, it's definitely from the Streamline design vocabulary.