Throwback Tech: The world’s most crazy-looking retro flying devices

1950s — De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle

The Aerocycle was a single-person flying apparatus that looked like a Marvel villain’s aircraft. Similar to the Williams X-Jet in the video below, this device was banned shortly after it was developed due to its dangerous method of flight.

1934 – Nemuth Parasol

This kooky contraption was conceptualized by researchers at Miami University. The circular wing was thought to provide flight reliability. The design here influenced how spaceships were made (think Star Trek, etc…)

1942 — “Flying Pancake” – Vought V-173

This flat pancake-like plane was built during World War II when America needed more planes to land on short runway ships.

1958 – Snecma Flying Coleoptere

An annular wing plane that worked with a turbo-reactor and could astoundingly take flight and land while retaining its upright position.  

1959 – Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar

A VTOL flying saucer-shaped aircraft created by the U.S. that was constructed for militaristic uses in 1959.

1968 – Aerodyne

Developed by Alexander Lippisch, this two propeller-equipped aircraft was wingless.

2006 — Lockheed Martin P-791

This aircraft looks like the Michelin man! The Lockheed Martin P-791 had both buoyancy and high speed and was able to float 20,000 feet above the ground for three weeks at a time.

1947 — H-4 Hercules 2 “Spruce Goose”

Weighing in at 200 tons, the Goose’s frame was made of birch wood and built as a fixed-wing seaplane. It was designed by Howard Hughes, a successful filmmaker and businessman.  

1980 – B377PG

NASA used this Super Guppy Turbine as a cargo plane.

1938 — Blohm & Voss BV 141

Although this plane never actually took flight, the asymmetrical concept was innovative. The conceptual design was overshadowed by the Focke-Wulf FW 189 during WWI in Germany.

1979 — Ames-Dryden (AD) Oblique Wing Plane

This plane made it off the ground in 1979 and had a pivoting wing.

1970s — Bartini Beriev VVA-14

This Soviet plane resembled a turtle.

1948 — McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

The Goblin appeared post-WWII and was immediately dubbed the “parasite fighter.” This plane almost joined the air force in 1948 until other aircraft were developed.

1969 — Hyper III 

Hyper III was created in 1969 at the NASA Flight Research Center.

1967 – Dornier Do 31

Developed in West Germany for research purposes, possible transport, and for VTOL tactical support, the Dornier Do 31 was up to par with NATO requisites. In 1970, the project was canned because it did not lie within the Germany's budget.

1950s — Goodyear Inflatoplane 

Goodyear created an inflatable plane for the U.S. Army. Even though this plane was utterly useless due to its lack of durability and balloon-like characteristics, Goodyear got an ‘A’ for effort.

1982 — Northrop Tacit Blue

Nicknamed the “Whale,” the Tacit Blue was revealed in 1996 to appear like an airplane and a space shuttle combo.

2014 — Aerojelly 

As reported by Electronic Products earlier this year, this aircraft was developed by engineers at NYU to undulate through the air like a jellyfish.