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Curtiss-Wright VZ-7

VZ-7
Role	VTOL utility aircraft Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Curtiss-Wright
First flight	1958 ?
Retired	1960
Status	Canceled
Primary user	United States Air Force
Number built	2

The Curtiss-Wright VZ-7 (also known as the VZ-7AP^[1]) was a VTOL quadrotor helicopter aircraft designed by the Curtiss-Wright company for the US Army. Like the Chrysler VZ-6 and the VZ-8 Airgeep it was to be a "flying jeep".

Design and development[edit]

The Aerophysics Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Curtiss-Wright, designed an "Aerial Platform" for a US Army Transport and Research Command "Flying Jeep" design competition. The Aerophysics design sat two in tandem between four ducted fan rotors and could also be armed with machine-guns or recoil-less rifles.^[2]

To prove the design concept the US Army ordered two prototypes of a smaller single-seat demonstrator, the VZ-7, which were delivered to the US Army in mid-1958. The VZ-7 had a fuselage with the pilot's seat, fuel tanks and flight controls. On both sides of the fuselage the four propeller/rotors were attached, unshrouded (the aircraft did originally have shrouds, but these were later removed). The VZ-7 was controlled by changing the thrust of each propeller and was maneuverable and easy to fly.^{[citation needed]}

Operational history[edit]

The aircraft performed well during tests but, not being able to meet the Army's standards, was retired and returned to the manufacturer in 1960.

One VZ-7 is part of the United States Army Aviation Museum aircraft collection at Fort Novosel. However, it is not currently on public display due to space restrictions.^[3][4]

Specifications[edit]

Data from Flying Jeeps^[5]

General characteristics

• Crew:1
• Length: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
• Width: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
• Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
• Empty weight: 1,700 lb (771 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,100 lb (953 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Artouste IIB turboshaft engine, 425 shp (317 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 32 mph (51 km/h, 28 kn)
• Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
• Service ceiling: 200 ft (61 m)

See also[edit]

• Lunar Landing Research Vehicle

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar
• VZ-8 Airgeep
• Chrysler VZ-6

References[edit]

• Harding, Stephen (January–February 1998). "Flying Jeeps: The U.S. Army's Search for the ultimate 'Vehicle'". Air Enthusiast. No. 73. pp. 10–12. ISSN 0143-5450.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss-Wright VZ-7.

• https://web.archive.org/web/20111024155224/http://www.vectorsite.net/avplatfm.html