Bugly: Similarities in Aviation and the Animal Kingdom

No offense to the men and women who fly, maintain, or build them, but some helicopters look an awful lot like bugs. They're oddly shaped, have antennas, and, of course, fly. And a lot of them are ugly. That doesn't mean we don't love them; sometimes, we love them because of their hideousness. But the comparison still stands.

So below, we look at some helicopters and the insects (or other creatures) they resemble.

Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane

Photo: http://www.indiandefence.com/forums/u-s-europe/32621-sikorsky-picks-erickson-airframe-production.html

Everyone knows this comparison. The Erickson Air-Crane is, of course, a dragonfly.

Dragonfly

Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonfly

 

Kamov Ka-32

Ka-32

Photo: http://www.avia-russia.com/kamov-ka-32a11bc.html

The Ka-32, especially when yellow or orange, bears a striking resemblance to a honeybee.

Bee

Photo: http://www.controlling-pests.com/bee-control.html

 

CH-47 Chinook

CH-47

Photo: http://thebrigade.thechive.com/2011/01/12/chances-are-the-ch-47-chinook-was-there-23-hq-photos/ch-47-chinook-920-0/

This monster of a helicopter clearly looks like a sperm whale, even when it's not in the water.

Sperm Whale

Photo: http://www.movingplanets.com/world/animals/sperm-whale/

 

AH-64 Apache

AH-64

Photo: http://defence.pk/threads/8-cool-facts-about-the-apache-helicopters-iaf-will-acquire.243445/

Yes, it could be a bug, but the Apache looks even more like a jumping spider.

Jumping Spider

Photo: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/earth/9633339/Insects-close-up-captured-by-photographer-Dusan-Beno.html

 

Kaman K-Max

K-Max

Photo: http://defense-update.com/20140220_collaborative_robotic_test.html 

Don't you think this flat helicopter looks just like a mayfly?

 Mayfly

Photo: http://winterbournetheflytyer.blogspot.com/ 

 

CH-53

CH-53

Photo: http://www.defense.gov/photos/newsphoto.aspx?newsphotoid=9487

Finally, the CH-53 makes an awful good swordfish, don't you think?

Swordfish

Photo: http://www.hdwallfree.com/swordfish-widescreen-hd-wallpapers/

 

Now tell me: What is your best comparison?

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