The squat, angular jet looks ugly as a beetle with quadruple goiters, but airmen on both sides of the Atlantic were studying its unusual shape last week with unusual interest. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara's announcement that the U.S. will contribute some $35 million toward further development of Britain's P-1127 airplane made it clear that the odd craft is well in front in the race to develop a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) plane.
Under hurry-up development by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. since 1959, the P-1127 has convinced Pentagon authorities that it is two years ahead...
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