Unbeatable museum quality best describes our handcrafted Convair XFY-1 Pogo model airplane. After passing through the hands of master craftsmen, the parts are sanded and primed many times. Talented artists then paint on the intricate details with great accuracy. A final coat of clear lacquer protects the Convair XFY-1 Pogo model and gives it a glossy finish. The Convair XFY-1 Pogo model airplane comes with a handsome mahogany-based chrome pedestal, and to ensure that it is ready for delivery, it undergoes various stages of quality control before being placed in its box. The Convair XFY-1 Pogo model airplane is perfect as an addition to a growing collection or as an exquisite gift to a loved one. Convair XFY-1 Pogo History: The Convair XFY Pogo tailsitter was a result of attempts to devise a practical vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) combat aircraft. After World War II, the emerging conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union led the US Army and Navy to study VTOL operations. In 1948, the Navy formally launched a VTOL fighter study. The goal was to develop a high-performance fighter aircraft that could take off and land vertically on fleet oilers, tank landing ships, destroyers, transports and larger ships not otherwise equipped to handle conventional aircraft. In May 1951, after four years of study, the Navy awarded contracts to Convair and Lockheed to design and build experimental VTOL fighters that would be suitable for the use of the armed forces. Lockheed produced the XFV-1 and Convair the XFY-1, nicknamed “Pogo”. Lieutenant Colonel James F. “Skeets” Coleman, a Convair engineering test pilot and Marine reserve, made the first tethered flight in the XFY-1 on April 19, 1954. The Pogo was like no other propeller-driven aircraft before it. No previous plane with a similar weight, size or engine power had ever attempted to take off and land vertically. In the first test flight, for the safety of both plane and pilot, the propeller hub cover was replaced with safety tether lines, in case Coleman would lose control. Another engineer, Bob McGreary, was on the other end of the tethers and would raise them if necessary to prevent the aircraft from falling to the ground. For further safety, four security cables were fastened to each wing. In the next few weeks, Coleman logged almost 60 hours of test flights in the XFY-1. On August 1, 1954, Coleman flew two outdoor test flights. The first conversion to horizontal flight took place on November 2, 1954, during which the XFY-1 flew horizontally for 20 minutes before coming back and landing inside a 50-foot square. This was the first successful VTOL flight in history of an aircraft that was not a helicopter or an autogyro. Coleman was awarded the Harmon Trophy for this feat. Upon later flights with longer durations, however, flaws in the design were discovered. Due to the Pogo's lightweight design, lack of spoilers and air brakes, the aircraft was unable to slow down and stop efficiently after moving at high speeds. Landing was also difficult, as the pilot had to look over his shoulder while carefully working the throttle. Due to these problems, the XFY project was put on hiatus.