[breischl]

> clashing shades of horrible colors (for camo)

They tried something similar for ships and a few planes. I think it wasn't very effective as camouflage though, and was more intended to confuse the distance & direction of travel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazzle_camouflage

> had a laughably ugly form

The B-52 was called the "Big Ugly Fat F". The A-10 was called the "Warthog". Both considered ugly but effective.

That said, there probably is some effect, it's just hard to measure.

[V-eHGsd_]

the x-32, the plane that was competing with the f-35 (neé x-35) in the joint strike fighter program looked _weird_; it looks like a pelican opening its mouth. I remember watching a documentary about the JSF where someone said that its looks definitely played a role in it not getting picked.