Convair XFY-1 Pogo – Overview

The Convair XFY-1 Pogo was an experimental VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft developed by the U.S. Navy after World War II. It was designed to operate as a high-performance fighter from small warships without the need for a runway.

Design and Development

• The Pogo had delta wings swept at 52 degrees.

• It was powered by a contra-rotating propeller system driven by an Allison XT40-A-14 turboprop engine, producing around 7,100 horsepower.

• The propellers had a diameter of 4.88 meters.

• The pilot’s seat could tilt from 45° to 90° to accommodate vertical and horizontal flight modes.

Test Flights and Issues

• The first tethered flight was conducted on April 19, 1954, by test pilot Lt. Col. James F. “Skeets” Coleman.

• The first free flight took place on August 1, 1954.

• Landing was extremely difficult—the pilot had to look backward and carefully descend.

• The aircraft also struggled with slowing down at high speeds, due to its light structure and lack of air brakes.

Project Cancellation

• Due to technical and operational difficulties, and the emergence of more capable jet-powered fighters, the Pogo project was cancelled in 1955.

• Although it was an important step in the evolution of VTOL technology, it wasn’t suitable for practical deployment.