Мировая Авиация 94

Интригующая конструкция в силу ошибочной концепции со взлетом и посадкой на хвостовую часть не годилась для использования на кораблях.

Мировая Авиация 25

СВВП Convair XFY-1 взлетает с открытым фонарем кабины. Фирмы "Convair" и "Lockheed" разработали свои самолеты после запроса ВМС США на создание истребителя с вертикальным взлетом и посадкой, но из-за проблем с реальной эксплуатацией разработка этих машин была прекращена.

Aviation Historian 6 / B.Hales-Dutton - A Day of Triumph and Tragedy

The only XFY-1 to fly, BuNo 138649, hangs on its impressive pair of 16ft (4-88m)-diameter three-bladed contra-rotating Curtiss propellers during a test flight with “Skeets” Coleman at the controls. Taking off presented its own challenges, but reversing back on to a spot on the ground (and ultimately on to a pitching deck, had the type gone into service) required incredibly fine adjustments and a level of airmanship that would have substantially lengthened the training process.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2014-08 / Знаменательные даты августа в истории авиации

Авиация и Время 1995-04 / С.Гинтер, С.Валли - XFY-1 "Пого" фирмы "Конвэр" /Аэроархив/ (1)

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

“Pogo” in level flight over San Diego.

Air Pictorial 1955-11

Striking air-to-air view of the Convair XFY-1 (dubbed "Pogo" by the manufacturers) in horizontal flight. "A space even smaller than the black cross on the 8.100-ft. runway at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, is all the Pogo needs for take-off and landing" say Convair.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

Coleman's first horizontal flight lasted for 20 minutes.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

Испытания катапультируемого кресла на "Пого" проводились перед отправкой на базу ВМС Моффет Филд. Для успешного катапультирования из XFY-1 необходимо находиться на высоте не менее 200 футов. Колеман летал на самолете, не оборудованном катапультой
Using a dummy, Convair engineers ran ejection seat tests against a demarcated board for photographic clarity and better interpretation.

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

Премьерный показ XFY-1 "Пого" на земле 4 ноября 1954г.
Convair's XFY-1 shortly after roll-out, with complete lower fin.
The fruit of US Navy studies into convoy protection carried out between 1947 and 1950, the Convair XFY-1 and its Lockheed rival were both ordered in March 1951. Like its XFV-1 counterpart, the Convair used the massive 5.500 eshp Allison XT40-A-6 and was built to the same exacting pre-production fighter standards. While the Convair machine did not make its first flight until 1 August 1954, Convair's Project Pilot, James F. 'Skeets' Coleman, did ultimately manage a number of transitional flights made from a standing start. The fact that flying this 'tail sitter' straight up off the ground and back down, while virtually reclining on your back with little outside visible cueing, called for a certain degree of intestinal fortitude was confirmed by the award of the coveted Harmon Trophy to 'Skeets' Coleman in 1956. The sole XFY-1 Bu Aer 138648 had an estimated top level speed of 610mph at 15.000 feet

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

One of the XFY-1’s major attributes was the ease with which it could he transported while on the ground. The maintenance and launch trailer incorporated powerful hydraulic jacks to lift the aircraft to the vertical take-off position.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

XFY-1 "Пого" во время наземных виброиспытаний, предшествовавших его отправке на авиабазу ВМС Моффет Филд для ангарных испытаний на привязи
The XFY-1 positioned in the horizontal travel position. The aircraft in the background is the Convair R3Y Tradewind transport, which also used the Allison T40 turboprop.

Авиация и Время 1995-05 / Д.Колеман, С.Валли - XFY-1 "Пого" фирмы "Конвэр" /Аэроархив/ (2)

XFY-1 готовится к полету на привязи в ангаре дирижабля на базе Моффет Филд

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

XFY-1 trial flights being conducted inside the Moffett Field, California hangar.

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

Left, XFY-1 makes a tentative tethered fight suspended from a giant outdoor gantry.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

The XFY-1 prior to its initial flight outdoors on August 1,1954.

Aviation Historian 6 / B.Hales-Dutton - A Day of Triumph and Tragedy

With the XFY-1’s massive 5,500 e.s.h.p. Allison XT40 engine (essentially a pair of T38s geared to drive a contraprop through a common gearbox) running up, Coleman prepares to lift off from the runway at Brown Field in September 1954. Moments later Coleman lifts the XFY-1 into vertical flight

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

November 5, 1954. “Sheets” Coleman publicly demonstrates the XFY-1 at Brown Naval Auxiliary Air Station. It could convert to horizontal flight within 200ft.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

The XFY-1 climbs out at a vertical top speed of 60 knots.

Мировая Авиация 67

2 ноября 1954г.: истребитель Convair XFY-1, построенный по заказу ВМС США, выполнил первый переход из вертикального в горизонтальный полет и обратно.

Aviation Historian 6 / B.Hales-Dutton - A Day of Triumph and Tragedy

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

The XFY-1 rose to a height of 150ft during its first series of flights outdoors.

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

The XFY-1 hovers above Moffett Naval Air Station on its first untethered vertical take-off, August 1, 1954.

Авиация и Время 1995-05 / Д.Колеман, С.Валли - XFY-1 "Пого" фирмы "Конвэр" /Аэроархив/ (2)

Один из полетов во время испытаний на авиабазе Сан Диего. Сентябрь 1954г.

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

Convair's "Pogo" climbs straight up from the Brown Naval Auxiliary Air Station near San Diego, California. Note the wing tip pods and the absence of the ventral fin tip.

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

“Skeets” Coleman demonstrates the Convair XFY-1. Inset picture shows Coleman in cockpit beneath outdoor test gantry.

Aviation Historian 6 / B.Hales-Dutton - A Day of Triumph and Tragedy

XFY-1 во время полета с большой скоростью
Having made the transition from vertical flight, Coleman shows off the Pogo’s pugnacious lines in horizontal flight. Despite the challenges of the aircraft’s unorthodox take-off and landing regimes, Coleman described it as the most manoeuvrable aircraft he had flown; unsurprisingly, however, he found the cockpit uncomfortable.

Мировая Авиация 25

С точки зрения эксплуатации, посадка в кабину вертикально стоящего СВВП являлась довольно непростой задачей - пилоту требовалось совершить довольно рискованный подъем по высокой лестнице. На снимке летчик-испытатель фирмы "Convair" Колмен готовится занять место в кабине XFY-1.

Aviation Historian 6 / B.Hales-Dutton - A Day of Triumph and Tragedy

Колеман в кабине "Пого" после успешного демонстрационного полета
“Skeets” Coleman demonstrates the XFY-1's somewhat awkward seating arrangements in September 1954.

Авиация и Время 1995-05 / Д.Колеман, С.Валли - XFY-1 "Пого" фирмы "Конвэр" /Аэроархив/ (2)

Сборно-разборный ангар "Пого" похож на индейский типи. Ангар оборудован тремя площадками для технического обслуживания
This close-fitting hangar for the XFY-1 included multi-level maintenance platforms.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

The VTOL aircraft concept included a portable hangar for completely self-contained maintenance, shelter and stowage.

Aviation Historian 6 / B.Hales-Dutton - A Day of Triumph and Tragedy

Convair production test pilot John Knebel, who was one of the first pilots to qualify on the Lockheed P-80 and who set a new transcontinental speed record for flying-boats in the Convair R3Y Tradewind.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

The steel test structure built to enable the test pilot to obtain some experience with the novel VTOL characteristics.

Авиация и Время 1995-04 / С.Гинтер, С.Валли - XFY-1 "Пого" фирмы "Конвэр" /Аэроархив/ (1)

Кабина XFY-1 "Пого". К сиденью прикреплен рычаг для поворота кресла во время посадки и обратно во время перехода к горизонтальному полету. На фотографии кресло находится в положении для горизонтального полета. Обратите внимание на большие ручки на раме фонаря - с их помощью пилот выбирался из кабины, когда самолет "сидел на хвосте"

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

Stability and control problems were investigated with models, NACA testing the XFY-1 at their Langley Laboratory.

Air Enthusiast 2007-01 / F.Allen - Bolt Upright /Prototypes and experimentals/

Exploded view of the major elements of the Convair XFY-1.

Мировая Авиация 94

Convair XFY-1

Aeroplane Monthly 1974-10 / B.Gunston - U.S. Navy prop-hangers

Convair XFY-1