Goodyear GA-28B VTOL Concept

In the years immediately after World War II, the U.S. Navy became concerned that its supply convoys remained highly vulnerable to enemy air attack. It asked America's major aircraft manufacturers to submit proposals for a tail-sitting VTOL fighter that could be launched off the back of cargo ships to provide combat air support.

The GA-28B was Goodyear's entry into this spirited competition. Like Convair's "Pogo," Goodyear's design featured a single set of large delta-wings. Unlike the Convair design, Goodyear's aircraft also featured three tails instead of the usual one. Another key feature of the GA-28B was that it carried conventional landing gear in its nose and wing pods; these would allow it to launch and land horizontally using conventional airfields as well as vertically off ships.

Goodyear's innovative design was ultimately rejected by the Navy. The two key reasons were that 1) The extra landing gear made the proposed plane unacceptably heavy, and 2) Goodyear -- primarily a rubber products company -- had little experience with fixed-wing aircraft, let alone something as challenging at a turboprop VTOL.

Model kits are supplied unpainted and some assembly may be required.