Air Pictorial 1958-02
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??? - The Evolutiion of the Ryan Vertijet
Стенд для испытания системы управления
This simple steel tubular structure, which is still in use as a test rig for developing control systems, provided support for the first of the jet reaction control systems installed on the test vehicle predecessor to the X-13.
The test rig was fitted with a delta wing, refined jet reaction system and a cockpit, which enabled test pilot Pete Girard to sit upright atop engine's forward end. The cockpit was made from a scrap B-47 fuel tank.
The undercarriage was replaced with a "tail-sitting" rig, and the first free hovering flight took place on 28th May 1956.