Doak VZ-4
Doak Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1958 · transport aircraft
The Doak VZ-4 was an American experimental VTOL aircraft featuring tilting ducted fans at the wingtips, developed in the late 1950s to explore vertical take-off and landing for military utility roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slender fuselage with conventional tail carried on a boom |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- American VTOL tilt-duct experimental aircraft
- Large tilting ducted fans at wingtips for vertical flight
- Slender fuselage with conventional tail carried on a boom
Narrow fuselage with two large ducted fan housings at the wingtips that tilt for vertical flight; the duct arrangement is unique and immediately identifies the type.
Specifications
- The Doak VZ-4 has a length of 9.75 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 4.88 m (16 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built by the Doak Aircraft Company under a US Army contract, the VZ-4 first flew in 1958 and demonstrated successful transition between vertical and forward flight. It was the only aircraft built by Doak and represented a unique approach to the tilt-rotor concept using ducted fans rather than open rotors.
Variants
Only one prototype was built; there were no production variants.
Where you'll see it
The VZ-4 was evaluated by the US Army as part of the broad VZ-series VTOL research programme but did not lead to a production order.
Related aircraft
- Antonov An-14 Pchelka
- Boeing VC-137 Stratoliner
- Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight
- De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
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