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Left: Convair Model 49 annular-winged VTOL combat vehicle. This illustration shows the vehicle in operational conditions with the cockpit lowered. US Army Above: Convair Model 49 annular-winged VTOL combat vehicle, designed for the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS) Competition. Allyson Vought Bill Rose with steel plating to protect the crew and its key systems against projectiles up to 12.7mm in calibre. However, this shielding would not have provided any protection against inex- pensive shoulder-launched rockets fitted with high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) war- heads, or other anti-armour weapons. The proposed armament for this aircraft was considerable and would comprise two remotely controlled side turrets fitted with XM-134 7.62mm machine guns fed with 12,000 rounds of ammunition, or XM-75 40mm grenade launchers with 500 rounds. A third central turret contained an XM-140 30mm _ cannon with 1,000 rounds or a launcher for 500 WASP rockets. These weapons could be operated and fired from all positions including in the hover and in level flight. In addition four hardpoints were pro- vided on two of the engine nacelles. These were suitable for 1,200-gallon (5,456-litre) fuel tanks, BGM-71 TOW missiles, Shillelagh missiles or a M40ACIC 106mm recoilless rifle with eighteen rounds. Performance esti- mates for the Model 49 suggest a maximum speed of 400mph (643km/h), a ceiling of 27,000ft (8,230m), an unrefuelled range of 450 miles (724km) and an endurance of about two hours and fifteen minutes. The initial study progressed to the con- struction of a small proof-of-concept demon- strator, which flew in 1962 and was apparently incredibly noisy. The unconven- tional Model 49 finally lost out to the advanced, complex and very expensive Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne attack heli- copter, which in turn lead to the all-weather McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache. During the early 1950s Convair had built an experimental VTOL fighter for the US Navy which was called the XFY-1 Pogo and it was hoped to draw on some of the expertise gained during this project to develop reliable control systems for the Model 49. A striking feature of the Model 49’s design was the fold- ing two-man capsule cockpit, which would be horizontal with the ground while the air- craft was in an upright position and move through 90° to retain this position for level flight. The aircraft would be heavily armoured mates for the Model 4y suggest a maximum speed of 400mph (643km/h), a ceiling of 27,000ft (8,230m), an unrefuelled range of 450 miles (724km) and an endurance of about two hours and fifteen minutes. The initial study progressed to the con- struction of a small proof-of-concept demon- strator, which flew in 1962 and was apparently incredibly noisy. The unconven- tional Model 49 finally lost out to the advanced, complex and very expensive Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne attack heli- copter, which in turn lead to the all-weather McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache. Lockheed AH-56 attack helicopter chosen as winner of the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS) competition in preference to the Convair Model 49. A small number of the aircraft were built and tested, but they were complex and expensive, so never entered production. However, the AAFSS. eventually lead to development of the Apache helicopter. US Army 150 Left: Convair Model 49 annular-winged VTOL combat vehicle. This illustration shows the vehicle in operational conditions with the cockpit lowered. US Army Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft