Hughes H-1 Racer

I ran across an image of this plane on Facebook on a "suggested page" post in my newsfeed.  I have a friend in the navy, and either he liked the page, or had friends that did.

In any case, it's a beautifully designed airplane.  I've never been big on airplanes, but this is quite an exception.  Nicknamed the "Silver Bullet," Howard Hughes built the this plane--the H-1 racer--in 1935, in an attempt to set the airspeed record.  He set about designing a highly aerodynamic plane, which led to a number of interesting design features which were new at the time.  This included retractable landing gear, and individually-machined flush-mounted rivets over the body of the plane.  The plane itself had around 1,000 horsepower.

In 2002 a man named Jim Wright built an exact replica of the plane, which is seen in photos above and  below.  It received a lot of attention from the aviation press, and was even slated to be used in the film The Aviator.  But as he was flying home from the air show in Wisconsin where it was unveiled in 2003, the plane's propellor failed, sending Jim into a fatal crash just North of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. 

I can't imagine a more spectacularly beautiful way to die.

I only believe in luck...

when it's good luck, and it's mine.

Found this out running today, while I was staring at the ground stretching.  It's funny.  I've been keeping my eyes peeled here and there for at least a few years trying to find a four leaf clover.  Never have until today.  Definitely an auspicious way to begin the summer.

Mercedes CLS 63 AMG, "The Greyhound"

If I had to drive one car for the rest of my life, I would drive a 2009 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG.

I'll be the first to admit I know very little about cars.  But I know a few things about design and aesthetics, and in my opinion, this car is about as close to design perfection as they come.

Some of the features that that take the CLS to the next level:

• A singular unified shape, defined by a single continuous curve, running the length of the car
• Rather than overly-complex, angular styling, the CLS relies on a few well-chosen curves 
• The arched shape of the body appears to lift and draw out the vehicle, giving the car a naturally aerodynamic and fast appearance
• It isn't ostentatious or aggressive.  Despite its good looks, its design features are still modest by my standards, and it relies more on subtlety than force
• The entire car tapers at both ends.  Small headlights and a tasteful grille dot the long hood of the vehicle.  At the back of the car, a small rounded trunk and shard-like tail lights close the vehicle.

Modest styling from the front that appears to taper to a point

notice the fluting running off the top of the front wheel-well 

With small lights, and a long rounded hood,
the "face" of a CLS instantly conjures the greyhound

the smooth, arched profile of the car is most clear seen from behind

I conclude with a visual metaphor that [I think] explains the styling of the CLS, and in particular, the logic of using an arched profile to define the car.  It is the element that really brings the car to life:

Mercedes CLS 63 AMG [with its trademark arched profile]

Breaching dolphin

Running Greyhound

Sprinting Cheetah

Straight lines do not appear in natures fastest animals.  Only curves.

(all photos belong to their respective owners)