Convair US (USN) Pogo Vertical Take-Off Fighter

Plastic model kit for a Convair XFY-1 Pogo

• Scale: 1:104
• Dimensions (built): Length 184 mm / Wingspan 235 mm
• 36 parts
• Pilot ladder and clear parts included
• Unbuilt, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

One of the biggest obstacles all airplanes have is the need for extremely long runways. Several solutions have been proposed but very few have have been fully successful. One of these solutions was a vertical take off and landing aircraft without the limitations of the helicopter. mainly due to low performance. Two American companies, Lockheed and Convair designed and built prototype of a VTOL fighter which would use a dime to both take off and land. The Lockheed called the XFV “Salmon”, was built and flown normally taking off and landing from a standard runway but never took off vertically. The Convair rendition was successfully tested in 1954 commanded by Convair test pilot “Skeets” Coleman. The flights were successful but extremely difficult to pilot especially the vertical landing operation. It could have been improved but the USAF decided to cancel the project. The aircraft is now exhibited in National Air and Space Museum in Suitland, Maryland, USA.

The original Lindberg version of this peculiar aircraft was released in the mid fifties. Few parts but very easy to build. Practically no interior detail and a very rough pilot figure. The model is, however, very accurate and the contra rotating propellers, like the full size, is a nice feature. The model can be additionally detailed and Atlantis now includes accurate markings. it is a very interesting addition to any collection. Greetings from Colombia.