Unfazed by the bleak winter landscape, the Royal Danish Air Force goes about its business back in the mid-1960s. The F-104G, R-707, is from Eskadrille 726. The PBY-6A, number L-861, after many years of service, has been restored and is preserved in a museum. 

“All hail our benevolent master…we are not worthy”

“Just me, kids. Oh, and watch that prop blade”

When asked to generate two images of the “ugliest 1930s airplane“, Artificial Intelligence really had all the answers. So…Where to start… First of all, instead of creating the “ugliest” airplane of the 1930s, AI came up with what is actually a rather pleasing design. Then there are the children. In photo #1, they appear to be prostrating themselves and hailing the arrival of the not-at-all-ugly plane as if it is the mothership bringing their overlord from Planet Varzon-7 or some such place. In pic #2, the kids have stopped with the hosannas and now seem somewhat disappointed and subdued. No doubt they have seen the pilot who, rather than being an exotic space creature from a distant galaxy, looks like anybody’s grandpa. Of course, the children might also be somewhat alarmed that the aircraft has just thrown a prop blade, and it is headed their way.

Apparently, AI has never heard of birdstrikes.

AI also thinks airplanes live like geese on a pond. And…AI’s version of a 3-bladed prop needs work.

Conversely, when AI was asked to come up with a couple of images for the “prettiest 1930s airplane“, the results are seen here. The planes are not bad-looking, but it is tough to make an accurate judgment, as AI is obviously incapable of discerning beauty from not. (See results for: “ugliest 1930s airplane”) Now, AI has generated quite a lovely landscape, which is so pretty that the airplanes are ruining the view. Moreover, like the “ugliest” planes of the 1930s, the “prettiest” ones also have their share of AI-created major mechanical malfunctions.

And don’t forget…every day, there is an increasing number of people who require the services of AI to help them spell…AI.

If you were in a band back in the day, it seems that all you had to do was phone your local Air Force base or airport, and they would cheerfully supply an airplane for your photo shoot.

Lots of excellent album art here, as well as great music (for the most part, but to each his own). 

Update: Here is a most worthy addition to the topic supplied by fellow aviation enthusiast Carrie.  Nothing says, “holiday romance” like a vacation adventure in a nuclear bomber. Thanks, Carrie!

Such survival suits are still in use today with the Air Force, Navy, etc. (“Poopy Suits,” we called them). This ad poses a bit of a question: what type of mechanical difficulties might necessitate “getting into cold water” some “10 miles off coast” to effect repairs to your aircraft? You would be in the open sea; what are you going to fix bobbing around like a cork?  But this ad dates from 1919; flying machines had a bad habit of suddenly not working, and one had to be ready for anything.