VZ-7

The Curtiss‑Wright VZ‑7 was an experimental vertical‑take‑off and landing (VTOL) aircraft developed in the early 1950s for the United States Army. Originating from the company’s long‑standing involvement in rotorcraft research, the VZ‑7 was built to test the feasibility of a compact, duct‑propelled lift system that could provide hover capability without the mechanical complexity of a conventional helicopter. The prototype featured a short, streamlined fuselage capped with a large circular duct housing a twin‑propeller arrangement driven by a single 210‑hp radial engine. Control was achieved through movable vanes inside the duct and a small rear pusher propeller for forward thrust, allowing speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) while maintaining a hover ceiling of roughly 1,200 m. Although only two airframes were completed and flight testing ceased in 1955, the VZ‑7 demonstrated reliable lift generation and introduced concepts such as variable‑geometry inlet guide vanes that later appeared in modern VTOL drones and tilt‑rotor aircraft. Its data helped shape subsequent U.S. Army programs, notably the VZ‑8 and the more successful Bell XV‑3, cementing the VZ‑7’s role as a pivotal stepping stone in the evolution of practical VTOL technology.

Curtiss-Wright

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification