The original prototype, designated the V-173 (Flying Pancake), was built of wood and canvas and featured a conventional, fully symmetrical aerofoil section (NACA 0015).

In a 139-hour test program it was found that it had unusual flight characteristics and control responses but could be handled effectively. It could almost hover and it survived several forced landings, …

Oct 28, 2024 · Nicknamed the Flying Pancake, the V-173 cut against existing perceptions of what an aircraft was, or could be. As the name suggests, the V-173 was flat, with a flying wing shape that...

He believed that by maintaining a uniform airflow over the entire wingspan (or “pancake” fuselage), the aircraft could take off and land at exceptionally low speeds and still have desirable high-speed …

Jun 11, 2025 · This is the incredible story of the Vought V-173, affectionately nicknamed the “Flying Pancake.” It might seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but this experimental aircraft …

Discover the fascinating history of the V-173, affectionately known as the "Flying Pancake." Designed by Charles Zimmerman at Vought, this unique aircraft was developed to meet the U.S. Navy's...

Apr 16, 2024 · During WWII, some military jets came with unique designs; a good example is the Vought 173 (V-173), the "flying pancake". This aircraft featured a disk-like fuselage and giant wooden …

A flat, disc-shaped body with two massive, slow-turning propellers mounted on its wingtips, giving it the unmistakable look of a flying saucer… or, yes, a pancake.

Feb 10, 2025 · The world of aviation has seen its fair share of unusual aircraft designs, but few are as delightfully odd as the Vought V-173, or as it’s better known, the "Flying Pancake."

V-173 The Flying Pancake Owner - Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Background - The V-173 was built as a prototype technology demonstrator for the XF5-U1, a high speed Navy fighter …