Vertol VZ-2
Vertol, Canadair, and Fairchild all built tilt-wing prototypes, the Vertol Model 76 and VZ-2 flying first in 1957 followed by the much larger Hiller X-18 and Fairchild/Vought/Hiller XC-142A in 1959. Canadair built its CL-84 in 1965. All prototypes proved the efficacy of tilt-wings but none were carried into production.
The Vertol Model 76 and its Successor, the VZ-2, were the first Tilt-Wing demonstrators. The small VZ-2 demonstrator of 1957 may be of sufficient size for some personal air vehicles [PAVs]. The program was funded by the Army Transportation Corps and the aircraft was built under the cognizance of the Office of Naval Research. It was a 3,200 pound TOGW aircraft using one Lycoming T53 turboshaft to drive two 3-blade propellers and two tail fans. It was tested at NASA/Langley Research Center in the late '50s with disappointing results. The wing exhibited stall problems at 25° to 30° incidence which were aggravated during partial power descents. It also exhibited poor ground effect interactions at altitudes below 15 feet.
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