I had to look up more info on the XF5U, and it's fascinating. It used the
rotating propwash to cancel out tip vortices, and thus was able to cruise at
over 400 knots while landing at under 40 knots: the more engine power
available, the wider the range. With big turboprops this thing could hover
like a helicopter and cruise near 500mph. Navy canceled the program in 1945
apparently because they wanted to build big carriers for jets, and were
afraid the XF5U would lead to the little Harrier-style jumper carriers the
Brits use today.

Wouldn't it be cool to have a 300-hp GA version of this that could loiter or
land at 30 knots and cruise at 250?


"Seth Masia" wrote in message
...
Hey, Paul --

That's one ugly little airplane, but to be fair I think we should limit
this competition to planes that were actually produced, or at least that
managed a safe landing.

Under the latter category I nominate the Vought XF5U:

http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplane...t/flapjack.htm

Seth

"Paul Tomblin" wrote in message
...
In a previous article, "Seth Masia" said:
How about the Transavia Airtruck?

Christmas Bullet. Only flew twice, killed the pilot both times.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Life would be so much easier if we could just look at the source code.