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replaced by the BE.53, which was built around an Orpheus turbojet with a larger compressor fan. Wibault was now working for Bristol as a consultant engineer and an initial patent for the BE.53 was applied for on 12th January 1957. Rather sadly, Wibault died soon after becoming the joint patent holder with Gordon Lewis but Bristol Aero Engines now had anew type of engine, albeit with no aircraft to carry it. However Sydney Camm, the chief designer at Hawker Aircraft, took an immediate interest in the project, which eventually brought the creation of a prototype called the Hawker P.1127. This finally led to the world’s most suc- cessful VTOL combat aircraft — the Harrier. ADAM In 1958 Vought and several other contractors began to study methods of diverting exhaust gas from one or two jet engines downwards, through a series of shutters, with the aim of developing a working VTOL system for jet air- craft. The studies seemed promising and, during January 1963, Vought received suffi- cient funding from the USAF and US Army to explore the possible application of this tech- nology to new combat aircraft. Although the company was reforming as Ling-Temco- Vought, the project was considered suffi- ciently important to be maintained and the Dallas Design Office believed it would be pos- sible to construct a military VTOL aircraft that could hover for brief periods; it would also possess good transonic or even supersonic performance in level flight. The ducted flow system was known as Air Deflection And Modulation (ADAM) and Vought began to fund studies that would lead towards an initial proof-of-concept demon- strator that carried the company designation V-460; a supersonic option was also discussed that was called the V-480. In many ways the ADAM concept amounted to a follow-on from Zimmerman’s Flying Pancakes, drawing on most of the original aviation requirements but taking full advantage of advances in propul- sive technology. Company executives within Ling-Temco-Vought felt certain that the V-460 would also appeal to the US Navy and a cam- paign of promotion and lobbying began. Two significantly more advanced propos- als emerged from the design office, known as An early design study for the single-seat Vought ADAM demonstrator using a nose air intake. Ling-Temco-Vought Early concept drawing for the Vought V-460 single- seat ADAM demonstrator. Ling-Temco-Vought ‘Two-seat Vought V-485 ADAM 11 aircraft design. — = 7 s Ling-Temco-Vought / Bill Rose 102 replaced by the BE.53, which was built around an Orpheus turbojet with a larger compressor fan. Wibault was now working for Bristol as a consultant engineer and an initial patent for the BE.53 was applied for on 12th January 1957. Rather sadly, Wibault died soon after becoming the joint patent holder with Gordon Lewis but Bristol Aero Engines now had anew type of engine, albeit with no aircraft to carry it. However Sydney Camm, the chief designer at Hawker Aircraft, took an immediate interest in the project, which eventually brought the creation of a prototype called the Hawker P.1127. This finally led to the world’s most suc- cessful VTOL combat aircraft - the Harrier. Early concept drawing for the Vought V-460 single- seat ADAM demonstrator. Ling-Temco-Vought Two-seat Vought V-485 ADAM 11 aircraft design. Ling-Temco-Vought / Bill Rose Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft