77 Water Street Biplane
Tuesday, 31st January 2006 by Alex Turnbull
Crazy, but there appears to be a biplane, complete with runway, on the roof of 77 Water Street, NY.
So what's it doing there? NYC Architecture says that it's a a full-size model of a WWI Sopwith Camel, designed by Rudolph de Harak and built in 1969 - primarily to amuse the inhabitants of surrounding scyscrapers, notably the World Trade Center.
You can rotate around the plane on Windows Live Local, but bear in mind that sometimes the other buildings will obstruct your view. For the ultimate in close-ups, here's a fantastic photo from a neighbouring building.
Thanks to Chris and Maté Tamasko.
About the author
Alex has decided that his title will be Senior Vice President of Stuff.
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/LM/LM028-77WATERSTREET.htm
The biplane on the roof sculpture was designed by some guy named Rudolph de Harak and executed by the sculptor William Tarr in 1969 (thanks Jack Ryan). Apparently it’s a full-size model of a WW1 Sopwith Camel, complete with runway. It was put there to amuse inhabitants of surrounding scyscrapers, notably the WTC.
erm… cejay, did I not just say that? And link to that very article? Hmm, must be going mental obviously… 😉
What’s up with the buildings along that street? They all seem to be leaning in towards each other over the road. It must be where two images are joined.
LOOK OUT ITS FALLING DOWN!!!
View Placemark
> View Placemark
It is the end of the world
View Placemark tilts head
View Placemark
Dont look, it will give you a headache…
I’ve been reading GGSS pretty much since you started, and this has got to be the coolest post yet.
A not-terribly-interesting sidenote that hasn’t yet been mentioned: The Sopwith Camel was Snoopy’s weapon of choice in the Peanuts comic strip.
Just zooming around NY and found the Queen Mary 2…not a plane but hugemongous ship…look at it’s size in relation to the buildings!! View Placemark
http://www.wirednewyork.com/cruises/cunard/qm2_new_york_24apr04.jpg
These guys also look quite drunken:
View Placemark
(Sorry guys I don’t know how to insert links to a post)
Actually at night the landing strip lights up. I don’t think it’s every night, but it’s a really cool effect.
http://static.flickr.com/13/91324391_a3fab99b08.jpg?v=0
So does anyone actually know why the buildings appear to lean like that?
I’ve seen the sopwith from head on. Got a great closeup. Look for Sopwith on flickr.com
Apparently the Japanese thought it was a good idea. Seen in Shibuya, Tokyo:
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5402/tokyoplanent5.jpg
Reuben- That plane is apparently atop an electronics school, we posted it a while back:
https://www.googlesightseeing.com/2006/12/15/making-room-in-tokyo/
Biggles flew a camel!