Vertol VZ-2

The Vertol VZ-2 (or Model 76) was a research aircraft built in the United States in 1957 to investigate the tiltwing approach to vertical take-off and landing. The aircraft had a fuselage of tubular framework (originally uncovered) and accommodation for its pilot in a helicopter-like bubble canopy. The T-tail incorporated small ducted fans to act as thrusters for greater control at low speeds.

VZ-2
Role Tiltwing research aircraft
Manufacturer Vertol (later Boeing Vertol)
First flight 13 August 1957
Retired 1965
Status Preserved
Primary user NASA
Number built 1

Ground tests began in April 1957 and on 13 August, the VZ-2 took off for the first time in hover mode only. On 23 July 1958, the aircraft made its first full transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight. By the time the test program ended in 1965, the VZ-2 had made some 450 flights, including 34 full transitions. The aircraft has been preserved by the National Air and Space Museum in storage at the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility.

Specifications

The VZ-2 in flight in 1958.

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: 1 passenger/observer
  • Length: 26 ft 5 in (8.05 m)
  • Wingspan: 24 ft 11 in (7.59 m)
  • Diameter: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
  • Empty weight: 3,700 lb (1,678 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Avco Lycoming YT53-L-1 turboshaft , 700 hp (522 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 210 mph (340 km/h, 180 kn)
  • Range: 130 mi (210 km, 110 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 13,800 ft (4,200 m)
gollark: Fascinating.
gollark: It was probably handled via some automated tool TJ09 has which just puts in that stuff around the issue.
gollark: More like micromanagement by someone who believes that they have the right to control fansites too.
gollark: (this is now up on the forums).
gollark: ```Unfortunately, it is unavailable, possibly forever, because (according to an email):Thank you for your request to access the Dragon Cave API from host dc.osmarks.tk. At this time, your request could not be granted, for the following reason: You have, through your own admission on the forums, done the exact thing that got EATW banned from the API.This may be a non-permanent issue; feel free to re-submit your request after correcting any issue(s) listed above.Thanks, T.J. Land presumably due to this my server and computer (yes, I should use a VPS, whatever) can no longer access DC. Whether this is sickness checking, scraping, or using EATW's approximation for optimal view count I know not, but oh well. Due to going against the unwritten rules of DC (yes, this is why I was complaining about ridiculous T&C issues) this hatchery is now nonfunctional. Service may be restored if I actually get some notification about what exactly the problem is and undoing it will not make the whole thing pointless. The text at the bottom is quite funny, though.```

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

    • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 191.
    • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 890 Sheet 72.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.