Throwback Thursday Military tests airplane that takes off and lands vertically in 1954

On June 2, 1954, the Convair XFY-1 Pogo aircraft marked a milestone in aviation as the first aircraft to achieve a vertical takeoff and landing (VOTL).

Using plans captured from the Germans in World War II, the Navy and Air Force began designing the aircraft in 1947 with the goal being a fighter that could protect convoys but not require a large landing area. After giving contracts to Convair, for the Navy, and Lockheed, for the Air Force, the finished planes would earn the nickname “Tail Sitter” due to the fact that resembles fighter  planes standing on their tails.

But despite all the effort, the VTOL movement wouldn’t last long with the Pentagon deciding on crafting faster jets and more powerful helicopters instead.