Lockheed XV-4 Hummingbird

The Lockheed XV-4 Hummingbird (originally designated VZ-10) was a U.S. Army project in the 1960s, one of many attempts to produce a V/STOL vertical take off / landing jet. At a design speed of 336 mph, the Hummingbird was slower than some propeller-powered transports.

The design used doors at the top and bottom of the fuselage intended to augment thrust ejected into this area with cold air. In theory, a 11,607 lb aircraft could be lifted by a 6,600 lbf engine. Unfortunately, performance was far below the estimates only 1.04 thrust-to-weight in practice and the prototype crashed on 10 June 1964, killing the pilot. The second aircraft was converted to lift jets instead, also crashing after several tests.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Lockheed
• XV-4
• Hummingbird
• US
• Army
• V/STOL
• vertical
• take
• off
• landing
• jet
• experimental
• aircraft

[biukucanoe]

I remember this as a kid. Competed with Ryan XV-5 which had fans in wings with half-trashcan covers. This one blew jets through center hole, but did not result in much "augmentation", and crashed. Then they put in lift engines, and also crashed. XV-5 crashed. And every other V-plane crashed..... Hopefully JSF will work better.

[TripleZ89]

Weird and awesome! ANother forgotten airplane!! Good job!

[TurkishHistorian1923]

Very good ! 5 *

[mfredrock98]

is it empty or engined.how can it fly like that wind..funny video..

[tasoscorsair]

nice video baclavasoldier!