Entwicklungsring Süd VJ 101
Entwicklungsring Süd · Germany · first flew 1963 · fighter
The VJ 101 was a West German supersonic VTOL research aircraft designed to prove the concept of a jet-powered vertical take-off fighter. It featured two swivelling wingtip engine pods plus two lift jets in the fuselage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Six RB.108 lift/cruise jets with two tip-mounted swivelling pods
- Stubby high-mounted swept wing with anhedral tips
- VTOL research aircraft with cruciform undercarriage
Instantly identified by its twin swivelling tip pods housing two RB.145 engines each, combined with a short high-set swept wing and a relatively large single vertical fin.
Specifications
- The Entwicklungsring Süd VJ 101 has a length of 15.7 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.61 m (22 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by the Entwicklungsring Süd consortium in the early 1960s, the VJ 101C first flew in 1963. The programme demonstrated successful transitions between vertical and horizontal flight, achieving Mach 1.04 in a shallow dive before the programme ended in 1971.
Variants
Two prototypes were built: X-1 (first to fly) and X-2, which added plenum-chamber burning for improved thrust. No production versions were realised.
Where you'll see it
The VJ 101 was a pure research aircraft and never entered service; both airframes are preserved in German aviation museums.
Related aircraft
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