Fantastic Flapjack

Another beautiful abandoned idea: note the fire extinguisher that the man on the left may be eying.

Chance Vought V-173

One of the most unusual aircraft ever designed for the U.S. Navy was the Chance Vought V-173, also known as the Zimmerman “Flying Pancake”. It was a prototype “proof of concept” aircraft that lacked wings, instead relying on its flat circular body to provide the lifting surface. This multi-million dollar project nearly became the first V/STOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fighter. The V-173 blueprints were shown to the Navy in 1939.

– Dave’s Warbirds

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfpTDOAfj7Y”]