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Convair XFY-1 Pogo

Convair XFY-1 Pogo

Convair XFY-1 Pogo


The Convair XFY-1 was Convair's proposal to fill a US Navy brief which called for a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) interceptor aircraft.

Commonly referred to as the 'Pogo', the XFY-1 was an unusual design which was characterized by its four vertical and horizontal surfaces which were almost the same size. At the end of each wing was a small castor wheel for landing and moving the aircraft on the ground. The Convair XFY-1 Pogo had no conventional landing gear, however in the event of an emergency belly landing the lower fin could be jettisoned.

The vertical take off and landing position of the XFY-1 meant that entry and exit of the aircraft was complicated. To give the pilot a more natural seating angle when the aircraft was in the upright position, the ejector seat was mounted on an adjustable fitting which could be moved through 45 degrees.

After over 250 tethered test flights conducted inside an airship hanger, the first free flight was conducted in August 1954. In November 1954 the XFY-1 Pogo undertook the first flight with a transition to normal horizontal flight and back to vertical.

Despite its unconventional appearance and layout, J.F. Coleman, the test pilot, reported that the Convair XFY-1 Pogo was one of the best handling aircraft he had ever flown, in conventional flight mode.

By the time Convair XFY-1 Pogo had been developed enough to be a feasible design the US Navy had lost interest in the aircraft, and the project was canceled.


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