1954 Convair XFY-1 "Pogo" (Model 5) 138649
5850 hp Allison T40-A with six-blade 16' contrarotating props
My Uncle Robert Shumaker was a Navy helicopter instructors in the 50s. Robert help train Convair test pilot James F. "Skeets" Coleman in helicopters. Coleman was the test pilot for the Convair XFY-1 Pogo. Because the Pogo stood on its tail, it flew like a helicopter in the vertical mode and as regular aircraft at all other times. In the vertical position, the pilot was literally on his back and could not see the ground. Robert had the privilege of seeing the first flight of the XFY-1 from vertical takeoff to horizontal flight then back to a vertical landing. This took place at Brown Field on November 2, 1954. Robert said Coleman moved just a few feet off to the right and started to climb, when at about 25 feet he began to push the nose over. Coleman was warned not to exceed 200 kts, but after he started the transition to horizontal flight, the speed increased so rapidly that he could not get the power off and went over 200 kt. That was faster than the chase planes could go.
The Convair was one of two tail-setting vertical take-off aircraft built in the mid 50's. The other was the XFV-1 (138657) built by Lockheed. Both were powered by the Allison T40-A.
This aircraft is now part of the National Air and Space Museum collection but not on display.
Here are two youtube videos of the flight that Robert witnessed.
