Thursday, November 23, 2017

Convair XFY-1 Pogo

Interesting idea, this was a 1954 experiment in vertical takeoff and landing. Apparently the takeoff part was OK, but it was very difficult to land, as the pilot had to look over his shoulder to see where he was going while being very precise working the controls. 
Three were built, only one flew, mostly in tethered practise liftoffs and landings. It was determined that only very experienced pilots were capable of flying it and although it was capable of speeds approaching 500 mph, jets were the future.

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