Here is something I wonder about
: The Armstrong Whitworth AW.15 Atalanta, the first British four-engined monoplane passenger aircraft, had an evolution of the landing gear from a full wheel pant to this curious cycle fender.
http://airwar.ru/image/idop/cw1/aw15/aw15-c1.jpg
What purpose does it serve. It won't contain ground spray, it's too high to shield the top of the tire.
The only comparison that comes to mind is the Tropfenwagen, with it's surfboard shaped fender mounted to the body.