The Convair Model 200 was a 1973 design similar in some respects to the F-35. While stealth was lacking, it was designed as a single-engined jet fighter than could be built in both VTOL and CTOL (Model 201A) configurations. For VTOL, the single Pratt & Whiteny JTF22A-30A was equipped with a nozzle that could vector down 90 degrees (as the F-35 engine does), and had an additional two 10,500 pound-thrust lift engines behind the cockpit (the F-35 has a single lift jet). The CTOL versions eliminated the lift jets and the engine nozzle vectoring. Top speed was about Mach 2. Span was 27 ft 10.5 in; length was 51 ft 1.5 in.
The Model 200 was put forward in a US Navy competition for a smallish VTOL fighter than could be carried by the Sea Control Ship, the small aircraft carriers the Navy was planning at the time. Niether the Model 200 nor the SCS were built; but a competitor to the Model 200, the Rockwell XFV-12, was built… and failed miserably.
7 Responses to “Convair Model 200”
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One of my all time favorite concepts. It makes one wonder how things might have been different if they’d picked this one instead of the XFV-12. Ah well.
Looks related to the Rockwell XFV-12 VTOL
F-35B doesn’t use a lift jet, it uses a lift fan driven off of a shaft from the front of the jet engine, like the way a turboprop has its propeller geared to the engine.
Several years back, Lockheed floated an interesting concept…instead of using the fan housing area for extra fuel and avionics on the Air Force and Navy CTOL versions, how about gearing an electrical generator to the engine shaft, and sticking a laser with upper and lower turrets in the lift fan space?
Sounds way too blue sky nowadays when they are having trouble getting sufficient range out of the F-35B version due to weight growth compromising its capability to do vertical landings with the intended fuel load.
The only similarity to the XFV-12 is they’re both canard-deltas. Aside from that it’d be tough for them to be more different.
I should have phrased that better; it looks related to the operational requirement that gave birth to the XFV-12 program.
JUST ANOTHER YAK 141 FORGERY, US DESIGN IS SUCK, BUT X32 WAS THE BEST VTOL ACHIEVEMENT EVER WITHOUT HOT GAS INGESTION INDEED.
they robbed britons for Harrier also – subsonic AV-8 is beyond license, its Pegasus engine only
That’s gonna be bad habit, you know… 😉
The concept artist on the Model 200 VTOL is the Da Vinci of aerospace concept artists — that picture would look unbelievable framed ( about 36″x48″) and on the wall. Wow !… stunning picture ! There is one other painted version online that is equally great. Amazing talent ! — can’t read the name — ?