Ryan VZ-3 Vertiplane
Ryan Aeronautical · United States · first flew 1958 · light aircraft
The Ryan VZ-3 Vertiplane was an American experimental VTOL research aircraft developed for the US Army in the late 1950s, using deflected slipstream over large flaps to achieve near-vertical take-off and low-speed flight.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.43 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1950s VTOL research aircraft with deflected slipstream
- Oversized flaps and deflectors to redirect propeller wash
- US Army VTOL research aircraft
An unusual high-wing monoplane with a very large chord wing and oversized trailing-edge flaps designed to deflect propeller slipstream downward; quite unlike any production aircraft.
Specifications
- The Ryan VZ-3 Vertiplane has a length of 8.43 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.14 m (23 ft).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1958, the VZ-3 explored the deflected-slipstream concept as an alternative to helicopters for vertical and short take-off and landing. Testing revealed handling challenges and the concept was not pursued for production aircraft.
Variants
A single prototype was built and evaluated; no production variants followed.
Where you'll see it
Used purely as a research aircraft by the US Army and NASA; never entered operational service.
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