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In mid-1950s, U.S. Army evaluated several
experimental VTOL flying platforms. These one-man platforms relied on some
small lightweight piston engines for their power and carry a very small
payload. When gas turbines engine became available, its greater
power-to-weight ratio made larger vehicles possible. Army changed their
interesting from flying platform to flying jeep utility vehicle. In 1957,
Army began an investigation into the flying jeep development and awarded
contracts to Chrysler, Curtiss-Wright and Piasecki to develop prototypes with specified weight and speed ranges. Curtiss-Wright responded with their Aerial Platform and was assigned the designation VZ-7AP. It was designed to lift by four propellers. Control was affected by propeller pitch and by vane in the rear engine pipe exhaust. Two prototypes were completed and delivered to the Army in 1958. The VZ-7 was tested during 1959 and 1960. It flights stable and easy to operate, but did not meet the altitude and speed requirements from Army. The program was ended in mid-1960.
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