Science: Straight-UpJet

An odd aircraft has been flying, rather tentatively, at Niagara Falls, N.Y. over the past few weeks. It looks like a light private plane with a bulky ashcan suspended under each wing, and helicopter skids instead of wheels. Last week Bell Aircraft Corp. told how it works. It is a jet-powered VTOL (vertical take-off and landing), and Bell believes that from it will develop jet fighters and transports that can rise like helicopters from a small patch of ground, then turn themselves into normal-flying airplanes.

Bell's VTOL has a glider's fuselage and the wing of a light commercial airplane. Hung under the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!