01/31/2008. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The US Army ordered two of these “fan-in-wing” experimental two-seat VTOL research aircraft (s/n 62-4505, 62-4506) in November 1961. Initially designated VZ-11, these were redesignated XV-5A by the time construction began in June 1962. In 1964, the first conventional flight was made by Ron Gerdes on May 25, the first VTOL flight on July 16, and the first transitions from vertical to forward flight and visa versa were made on November 5.

Ryan 143 XV-5A

The XV-5A had two 2,658 lb (1,206 kg) st General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojets mounted in a duct above the fuselage. For vertical take off the engine efflux was diverted through ducts to drive a fan in each wing and one in the nose, while thrust spoilers aft of the tailpipes enabled the engines to be operated to full power, while the aircraft remained stationary.

The first aircraft crashed during a public display at Edwards AFB, California, on April 27, 1965, killing the pilot. The second crashed at Edwards AFB on October 5, 1966, also killing its pilot. The two aircraft accumulated 138 flying hours in 338 flights in all modes of operation.

While the first aircraft was scrapped, the second was rebuilt to the XV-5B, featuring new main landing gear, revised cockpit layout and removal of the thrust spoiler mechanism. It was re-flown on June 24, 1968 and subsequently transferred to the NASA, registered as N705NA.

Ryan 143 XV-5B (N705NA) (Bob McLeod Collection)

The aircraft is preserved at the US Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Alabama.