The Convair XFY-1 was Convair's proposal to fill a US
Navy brief which called for a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off
and Landing) interceptor aircraft.
Commonly referred to as the 'Pogo', the XFY-1 was an unusual
design which was characterized by its four vertical and
horizontal surfaces which were almost the same size. At
the end of each wing was a small castor wheel for landing
and moving the aircraft on the ground. The Convair XFY-1
Pogo had no conventional landing gear, however in the
event of an emergency belly landing the lower fin could
be jettisoned.
The vertical take off and landing position of the XFY-1
meant that entry and exit of the aircraft was complicated.
To give the pilot a more natural seating angle when the
aircraft was in the upright position, the ejector seat
was mounted on an adjustable fitting which could be moved
through 45 degrees.
After over 250 tethered test flights conducted inside
an airship hanger, the first free flight was conducted
in August 1954. In November 1954 the XFY-1 Pogo undertook
the first flight with a transition to normal horizontal
flight and back to vertical.
Despite its unconventional appearance and layout, J.F.
Coleman, the test pilot, reported that the Convair XFY-1
Pogo was one of the best handling aircraft he had ever
flown, in conventional flight mode.
By the time Convair XFY-1 Pogo had been developed enough
to be a feasible design the US Navy had lost interest
in the aircraft, and the project was canceled.
Similar and related vehicles:
Moller M400 Skycar
PALV
Avrocar
Bell X-22
NASA AD-1
H-4 Spruce Goose
Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant
Leduc Ramjet
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