Fairchild VZ-5

Fairchild · United States · first flew 1959 · light aircraft

The Fairchild VZ-5 was an experimental US Army VTOL research aircraft of 1959 that used deflected slipstream from large propellers to achieve vertical takeoff and landing. It was one of several competing VTOL concepts evaluated in the late 1950s.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• VTOL research aircraft with large flap-mounted lift fans
• High-wing layout with deflected slipstream for vertical takeoff
• Unique 1950s US Army VTOL experimental airframe

High-wing monoplane with oversized propellers along the wing leading edge, conventional tail, and an ungainly high-set fuselage that betrays its experimental origins.

Specifications

• The Fairchild VZ-5 has a length of 10.26 m (34 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.98 m (33 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 296 km/h (184 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed under a US Army contract to explore alternatives to conventional helicopters, the VZ-5 used a turboshaft engine driving multiple large propellers positioned along the leading edge of the high wing. Tilting the propellers and directing slipstream over large flaps enabled transition between hover and forward flight. After evaluation the Army did not adopt the design for production.

Variants

Only a single prototype was built for the US Army evaluation programme.

Where you'll see it

The VZ-5 served only as a research aircraft; it was retired after completing the Army's VTOL evaluation without entering production.

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