Ryan X-13 Vertijet
The increasing fear that the US Navy's carrier fleet was vulnerable to attack--especially nuclear attack--led the Navy to consider basing small numbers of aircraft aboard submarines. The submarine, using its inherent stealth, could creep close to enemy shores, launch an airstrike, recover aircraft, and be gone before the enemy could react. This had been done by the Japanese--albeit without much success--during World War II, with large submarines that could carry one or two floatplanes. The problem with the concept was that one or two aircraft was all a submarine at the time could conceivably field.
At the same time, the Ryan Aircraft Company began tinkering with the idea of vertically-launched and recovered aircraft, and the Navy commissioned Ryan to create the F3R, an experimental, vertical take off and landing (VTOL) fighter. The F3R was not really intended to become an operational aircraft, but it could lead to one. The USAF was also interested in a VTOL fighter, and issued a similar requirement. As a result, the F3R was redesignated X-13, and named the Vertijet by Ryan.
For its time, the Vertijet was indeed revolutionary: though other countries were also experimenting with VTOL aircraft, the X-13's use of vectored thrust meant that it would not need to worry about the added weight of lift engines--which would become useless after takeoff and before landing. Smaller jets were installed at either end of the wing to provide roll control, and a delta wing was chosen for maximum lift. It would be hooked to a trailer that could then be towed to wherever it was needed, launch, transition to conventional flight, then return and reverse the process.
The X-13 first flew in December 1955, with a conventional landing gear to make sure the design itself was aerodynamically sound. It was, and the first X-13 was found to be able to transition smoothly between vertical and horizontal flight. The second actually tested the tower-launch concept and flew a full "mission" at Edwards AFB in April 1957.
Though the X-13 had been a success, it was a success without a mission. The Navy abandoned the idea of submarine carriers as being unworkable, and the USAF did not see a need for a VTOL aircraft, especially given the X-13's short range. The aircraft were retired in late 1957. The VTOL concept was not forgotten, however: the Vertijet's use of vectored thrust would have influence on a new design then reaching prototype stage in Great Britain: Hawker-Siddeley's Harrier.
This is the first X-13 prototype, 54-1619, displayed on its launch trailer. Just how small this aircraft is has to be appreciated by seeing it up close. It is kept up in the bare metal finish 54-1619 carried while testing. If it looks a bit crowded in this picture, it was--the Gillespie Annex only has one hangar, and space is at a premium. The other X-13 is at the NMUSAF at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, so now I can say I've seen them both!
Ryan X-13 Vertijet
The increasing fear that the US Navy's carrier fleet was vulnerable to attack--especially nuclear attack--led the Navy to consider basing small numbers of aircraft aboard submarines. The submarine, using its inherent stealth, could creep close to enemy shores, launch an airstrike, recover aircraft, and be gone before the enemy could react. This had been done by the Japanese--albeit without much success--during World War II, with large submarines that could carry one or two floatplanes. The problem with the concept was that one or two aircraft was all a submarine at the time could conceivably field.
At the same time, the Ryan Aircraft Company began tinkering with the idea of vertically-launched and recovered aircraft, and the Navy commissioned Ryan to create the F3R, an experimental, vertical take off and landing (VTOL) fighter. The F3R was not really intended to become an operational aircraft, but it could lead to one. The USAF was also interested in a VTOL fighter, and issued a similar requirement. As a result, the F3R was redesignated X-13, and named the Vertijet by Ryan.
For its time, the Vertijet was indeed revolutionary: though other countries were also experimenting with VTOL aircraft, the X-13's use of vectored thrust meant that it would not need to worry about the added weight of lift engines--which would become useless after takeoff and before landing. Smaller jets were installed at either end of the wing to provide roll control, and a delta wing was chosen for maximum lift. It would be hooked to a trailer that could then be towed to wherever it was needed, launch, transition to conventional flight, then return and reverse the process.
The X-13 first flew in December 1955, with a conventional landing gear to make sure the design itself was aerodynamically sound. It was, and the first X-13 was found to be able to transition smoothly between vertical and horizontal flight. The second actually tested the tower-launch concept and flew a full "mission" at Edwards AFB in April 1957.
Though the X-13 had been a success, it was a success without a mission. The Navy abandoned the idea of submarine carriers as being unworkable, and the USAF did not see a need for a VTOL aircraft, especially given the X-13's short range. The aircraft were retired in late 1957. The VTOL concept was not forgotten, however: the Vertijet's use of vectored thrust would have influence on a new design then reaching prototype stage in Great Britain: Hawker-Siddeley's Harrier.
This is the first X-13 prototype, 54-1619, displayed on its launch trailer. Just how small this aircraft is has to be appreciated by seeing it up close. It is kept up in the bare metal finish 54-1619 carried while testing. If it looks a bit crowded in this picture, it was--the Gillespie Annex only has one hangar, and space is at a premium. The other X-13 is at the NMUSAF at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, so now I can say I've seen them both!