Chrysler VZ-6

Chrysler VZ-6
Role	VTOL experimental platform
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Chrysler
First flight	1959
Number built	2

The Chrysler VZ-6 was an American VTOL ducted-fan test vehicle designed and built by Chrysler for the United States Army Flying Jeep competition.^[1][2]

Design and development

Ordered in 1958 two VZ-6s were built, it was a rectangular-shaped vehicle with two three-bladed propellers inset at the front and back.^[2] The 500 hp Lycoming engine was located in the centre driving the ducted fan propellers.^[2] It was also fitted with rubber skirts around the bottom edge of the vehicle similar to a hovercraft.^[2]

Operational history

The VZ-6 started tethered flight tests in 1959, but these showed that the vehicle was overweight and underpowered with stability problems.^[2] An attempt at a non-tethered flight resulted in the VZ-6 flipping completely over writing off the vehicle but the pilot escaped without any serious injuries.^[2] Both VZ-6s were scrapped in 1960.^[2]

Specifications

Data from ^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
• Height: 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) ^[3]
• Gross weight: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg) ^[3]
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming , 500 hp (370 kW)
• Main rotor diameter: 2× 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar
• VZ-8 Airgeep
• Curtiss-Wright VZ-7
  

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States
  

References

Notes

1. ^ Andrade 1979, p. 176
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} "American airplanes - Ca - Ci". www.aerofiles.com. 15 August 2008. http://aerofiles.com/_ca.html. Retrieved 2010-02-15. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Harding 1990, p.90.

Bibliography

• Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0 904597 22 9. 
• Harding, Stephen (1990). U.S Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.