"Best-Looking Bomber?" Topic

Which military aircraft was the best-looking, dedicated bomber? (Fighter-bombers do not count.)

B17

Any era? I was always partial to the Handley-Page Victor.

If we're talking WW2 or prior, it's a toss-up for me between the B-24 and the B-10.

B52

Personally always partial to the B-25 or the A-20.

For modern stuff the Bone.

Damon.

F111

Always favored the B-25 as my father flew in them in the SW Pacific in WW2.

Vulcan

Caproni Ca3

B-17

The Douglas SBD Dauntless.

Ron

B-70

Also, the BAC TSR-2.

Ron

B-58 Hustler or B-70 Valkyrie.

ditto on the Dauntless
Helldiver a close 2nd
JU 88 3rd

B-58

Gotta be the B-17 for me as that was the bomber in which my dad flew (top turret gunner/flight engineer) in WW2.

Jim

B 29

Love the B-17

B-24 Liberator.

B-17. It looks like a no-nonsence war machine.

WWI Gotha Bomber

Modern: B-58
WWII: B-25.

The de Havilland Mosquito and the Martin B-26 Marauder both have very graceful lines.

B24 and B52

Best looking? I'd go with the 'so-ugly-it-is-beautiful' the French Voisin.

The Vickers company created one of those engine in the nose jobs, the Wellesley, I rather like that.

This is easy. It is the B-47 hands down. If you don't believe me just ask the girl from Ipanem.

YouTube link

Boeing B-47 Stratojet: Most Beautiful Bomber Ever.

(Drop the mic.)

B1 Lancer

The Short Sterling has a certain "Je ne sais quoi"

Another vote for the Vulcan.

WW1 Handley Page Type O

WW2 Lancaster with honorable mention to the B24

Post WW2 Vulcan with honorable mention to the B52

Overall, I'd probably go with the Handley Page…

B2 and B52

It's only a trainer bomber if it can't drop nukes!

B-57 (Canberra)

B-24 (I'm a little prejudiced since I live near the site of the Willow Run plant in Michigan that built over 6K of them..one every 58 minutes)

My dad flew in Lancasters and Halifaxes during and after WW2, so I am biased towards them. He always thought that the B17 and Mosquito were the best looking aircraft of his era.

B-52, with the B-47 for first runner-up. But my heart's with the Canberra. I spent years in one of the last units, and it was a great unit.

SM-79.

XB-70 Valkyrie or if looking for a non-prototype, the B-1. Both have beautiful lines.

For me:
1). Mosquito
2). B-26
3). B-58
4). TU-95

Vulcan or Tu 160

Too many to list – Tu-160/Tu-22M are pretty airplanes
in high-speed configuration.

The Tu-4 (never built beyond prototype) also a good-
looking aircraft, for all that it resembles the Valkyrie.

For older aircraft, can't beat the SBD for tactical while
in my mind the Lancaster and B-17 tie for first in the
strat bomber division…

There are strategic bombers and tactical bombers, both dedicated to its specific role.

Best looking strategic bomber: B-1 Lancer
Best looking tactical bomber: FB-111 Aardvark

The B-24 looks like it means business.

I reject the premise of the question. I can't find a way in my mind to compare my visual appreciation of the B-17 and B-29, much less to compare these with the B-70 and the B1-B.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned B-2, I would have put that in the running.

Anyone who says B-52 is confusing form and function. I can't think of any visual virtue it has, other than it's unique arrangement being inextricably linked to getting difficult jobs done perfectly and reliably for generations. That thing is a monster.

He 111 Love the all glass nose.

Lancaster.

Mitchel B-25 all the way.

Amiot 354

I like a lot of different planes for a lot of different reasons. That said, for absolute best looking I've always loved the lines of the Vulcan.

B-36…Props and jets combined on a huge wing.