| VZ-3 Vertiplane | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental VTOL aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Ryan |
| Primary users | United States Army |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | December 29, 1958 |
TheRyan VZ-3 Vertiplane, also known by the company designationRyan Model 92 was an American experimentalvertical/short take-off (VSTOL) aircraft built by theRyan Aeronautical Company for theUnited States Army.
The VZ-3 was a simpleproof-of-concept experimental aircraft using blown flaps to achieve a short or near vertical take-off. It was a high-wingmonoplane powered by anAvco Lycoming T53turboshaft engine located inside thefuselage driving two large-diameter propellers mounted, one on each wing. It had aT-tail and originally a tailwheel fixedlanding gear. It had wide-span double retractable trailing-edge flaps, these were extended into the propellerslipstream for takeoff. To enable control while in the hover it had a universally-jointed jet-deflection nozzle at the rear of the aircraft. It was later modified with anose-wheel landing gear.
The VZ-3 could make a near-vertical takeoff within 30 ft (9m) at a speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) and the aircraft could be put into the hover up to a height of 3,700 ft (1,100 m).
The aircraft conducted a 21-flight test program for the United States Army until it crashed in 1959. It was rebuilt with an open cockpit lengthened fuselage and handed over toNASA for further trials. Following retirement the VZ-3 is on display at theUnited States Army Aviation Museum.[1]
Data fromJane's 1976.[2]
General characteristics
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