The history of aircraft design has taken some strange turns over the years, with some of these turns resulting in spectacular successes — others, in catastrophe. However, with failure sometimes comes success, just at a later date and with better technology. As you peruse the following aircraft, though some might at first seem comical in design, be sure to consider the time at which they were constructed and how extraordinarily innovative and creative the theories behind their designs must have seemed to their colleagues. In a few of these aircraft, you may even notice traits similar to modern day aircraft.

1. VZ-9AV Avrocar

Initially a Canadian project, when funding ran short, this oddity became a US military project during the 1950′s. Due to severe instability (the aircraft looked like a hubcap and unfortunately wobbled as one might as well) when flying higher than three feet above the ground, the project was cancelled in 1961.

2. H-4 Hercules (aka. The Spruce Goose)

Ah yes, you’ve probably heard of this one. Howard Hughes’s great plans for a massive transport plane to support the war effort during WWII resulted in the creation of the H-4 Hercules. With wings longer than a football field, this mammoth aircraft did manage to take flight with Hughes himself at the controls. But longevity was not in the Goose’s future, and the behemoth was promptly stashed away in a holding hanger to be kept in flight-ready status for years. After being passed along to several homes since then, she is still on display today at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

3. Martin-Marietta X-24

So we go from mega-plane to mini-aircraft. This funky little wingless aircraft was developed as a joint effort between the US Air Force and NASA during the 60′s and 70′s to test unpowered reentry from space. The aircraft utilized vertical fins for control during its flight. While it might not look like much, this little sucker managed to reach 1036 miles per hour, and had a maximum altitude of 71,400 feet. Just goes to show you that size doesn’t always mean much when it comes to aircraft.

4. AV- 8B Harrier II

With its vertical take off and landing capabilities, the Harrier is probably the best-known and recognizable aircraft on this list. Maybe not so weird looking and interesting in concept or design, the Harrier combines the vertical abilities that its predecessors in the Tailsitter family once sought, with the technological advancements to make their dreams a reality.

A combined effort between Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and British Aerospace, the Harrier AV-8B’s first flight was in November of 1981. As the ‘Most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft in combat,’ and with the capabilities to launch AGM-84 Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and AIM-7 Sparrow AAMs, this weird aircraft has the experience and firepower to back up it’s uncommon design.

5. Vought V-173 (aka. Flying Pancake)

Its nickname says it all. This propeller driven contraption with a wood and fabric frame, developed by Charles Zimmerman, was first flown on November 23, 1942. It never had much success though in the 131 hours of flight time it accumulated, and it now sits in the Smithsonian Institution’s Air Museum.

Elisa is a freelance travel writer for FrequentFlyerCreditCards.com.au where you can get airline loyalty reviews, read Australian airport guides and compare credit cards for frequent flyers.