The Vertol Model 76, better known as the VZ-2, had a peculiar appearance. Most of its tubular framework was exposed, and from the front, it looked like a helicopter.
However, this was a remarkable aircraft that could transition from vertical to horizontal flight thanks to its tilt-wing.
This experimental vehicle was built for the U.S Army in the mid-1950s to prove the concept of Vertical Takeoff and Landing. This footage shows the fragile-looking aircraft hovering during one of its earliest tests, intended to ascertain if it could shift from horizontal flight to a vertical landing.
This revolutionary program lasted almost a decade, in which the VZ-2 completed 450 flights.
