We’ve seen all different kinds of winglets over the years, but the new scimitar winglet United has started installing this week is by far the coolest in my mind.
Even the name is bad-ass. Let’s get geeky today. What’s your favorite winglet?
Topic of the Week: The Coolest Looking Winglet
30 comments on “Topic of the Week: The Coolest Looking Winglet”
I like the B737 ones, because they are HUGE! In fact, they are higher than the fuselage itself. Look at this to get an impression: http://upload.xandrios.net/814-klm-real1.jpg
Sounds like an airplane-porn day then… :-)
Airbus makes the fence -> Boeing makes blended winglet -> Airbus makes blended winglet -> Boeing makes winglet similar to fence. Coincidence? :-)
I tend to like the old classic no-winglet look
Looks like a saw blade hanging there. Like the whole thing should be spinning and chopping up tree logs or something.
I tend to like the Boeing “blended” version that appears on the 737, 757 and 767. Now it is disappointing to see a 767 without winglets.
The UA version in your photo looks interesting; have not seen this in person yet.
Still, seeing a classic like a 707 or a DC-8 with a winglet is just wrong.
I really don’t have a favorite winglet. They all enhance the look of an aircraft. But, it’s obviously not about aesthetics. It’s about efficiency. But it’s always nice when function and form can blend.
…”this week is by fare the coolest in my mind.” Should it not be the word “far”? Looks like Cranky types fare so often it is automatic to add the “e” even when wanting to say far.
Will-yo – Geez, you’re right. My fingers just naturally add the e on the end! I’ve fixed it.
I like the 747-400 winglets, very angular, as opposed to the ‘curvy – rounded looking’ ones on the 737…
https://www.google.com/search?q=boeing+747+400+winglets&client=firefox-a&hs=OAE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=DVzpUYv2A-eTyQHIh4GQBw&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=629
What is the ‘angle’ of a 747 – 400 winglet ? see this…
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/7605/
767 winglet is also ‘angular’.
https://www.google.com/search?q=boeing+767+winglets&client=firefox-a&hs=7OE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nl_pUfj_D864yAGaloDYCw&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=629
Geeky response, Spiroids! It’s a little futuristic, fashion statement yet functional. http://www.aviationpartners.com/gallery.html
I remember seeing the first winglets and thought Yuck, that’s a marketing ploy! Upon learning about the increased efficiency, I understood. As a frequent flyer I look at planes without them and wonder how why they don’t have winglets and how much money they are loosing.
Nice article on winglets — what are they and why http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/wing.html
Winglets on a 727-200
The A350 winglets are just simply gorgeous. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Airbus-Industrie/Airbus-A350-941/2272238/&sid=945965528dff42bc73a9d0c6eb174cfd
Surely an opportunity to add a “winglet fee” to my otherwise wonderful fare. To be collected at time of boarding. Sorry, credit cards only!
…buffalo…with a side of bleu cheese…;)
OK, that got a big grin out of me.
Looks like an ailevon to me….
Is it just me, or is the split scimitar winglet an evolution of the MD-11 winglet?
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Lufthansa-Cargo/McDonnell-Douglas-MD-11F/2109955/L/
Both pair an upward and outward pointing winglet with a smaller, downward and outward pointing winglet.
Maybe it’s an evolution of Airbus’ wing fences?
The A320 wingtip fence is straight up and down, while the MD-11 and split scimitar winglets have the top and bottom parts at different angles.
I prefer just a raked wingtip similar to the 787. I find something about the wingtip fences attractive both on the A320 and this new Scimitar one.
The coolest winglet? Why the 12 foot monster on the MD-11. With 9′ above the wing and 3′ below, it was truly inspirational to fly this beautiful machine. While flying the 777-300ER (ULR) was a leap forward, the MD-11 was truly a beautiful machine.
I like the sharklets on the A320 series only for the fact that I can’t stand the fence wingtips on the A320. The sharklets make the A320 look like a completely different airplane and a lot more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. With the fence wingtips the A320 wings look short and stubby but now with the sharklets they look long and graceful. It’s amazing how different the plane looks by just changing something as small as that.
Not exactly a winglet, but the pontoons on the end of the Lockheed Constellation Super G are bitchin’.
Of course, the whole plane is a work of art.
The MD-11’s.
IMO, winglets do for planes what rims do for cars ;)
Love it, design porn ;P
Jokes aside though, which aircraft is that wing attached too?
Its amazing how aerodynamics have changed over the years.
It’s on the 737-800. Here’s the link to the details:
https://hub.united.com/en-us/news/company-operations/pages/united-installs-split-scimitar-winglets.aspx
Thanks so much ill have a read at lunch time :)