Chance Vought V-173
This image is from a United Aircraft
Corporation Vought-Sikorsky Division pamphlet, circa
1943. The V-173 was a proof of concept machine design for a
STOL/VTOL fighter as far
back as the
mid 1930s. In fact, a patent was filed by inventor Charles H. Zimmerman
in 1935
for his Flying
Pancake design, (proving that Flying Saucers are nothing new). The full
scale
prototype,
seen above first flew on 4 May 1940. The design led to the
development of the
XF5U-1
experimental fighter but, as was the case with many innovative designs,
the parent
company was far
too busy producing its conventional products (in this case Corsairs and
Kingfishers)
to really devote the time and resources to developing its experimental
brain child.