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The Doak Model 16 experimental VTOL aircraft flown by Jim Reichert makes a test flight in 1958 at Torrance Airport, California. Doak Aviation Similar to the Doak oval-shaped VTOL design, the Bell D-2022 concept for a ducted fan assault helicopter was not taken up by the Pentagon. Bell Aviation wards beneath the aircraft and to the rear for horizontal flight. While the development of this concept appears to have been under- taken in conjunction with the USAF, there is no indication of exactly what role was envis- aged for this aircraft. Although nothing came of his flying disc, Doak continued to work on VTOL projects and by 1954 a series of new designs had been completed for aircraft with swivelling ducted fans that were capable of providing lift and horizontal flight in excess of anything avail- able from a helicopter. With considerable assistance from the company’s chief engi- neer Norman Nelson and aerodynamicist/ test pilot Jim Reichert, a more practical design emerged and this attracted a develop- sized in peacetime, diversifying into items for By 1950 Doak had secured official interest ment contract with the US Army that was the general consumer market. Although they _ in the development of a new two-man flying _ issued on 10th April 1956. The funding made continued to manufacture a wide range of disc aircraft, which utilised ducted fan it possible to complete a proof-of-concept aviation components, Edmond Doak became _ propulsion. Doak expected the aircraft to prototype known as the Doak M-16, but offi- increasingly interested in helicopters, ducted _ have a full VTOL capability and envisaged the cially designated VZ-4DA, with the serial fans and VTOL concepts, with ideas of mov- use of two contra-rotating co-axial rotors number 56-9642. ing the company into the bigger league of air- inside a central duct, which would eliminate The VZ-4DA was 32ft (9.75m) in length and craft constructors. any torque problems and channel air down- _ had a wingspan of 25ft 5in (7.74m). The gross The Doak Model 16 experimental VTOL aircraft flown by Jim Reichert makes a test flight in 1958 at Torrance Airport, California. Doak Aviation Similar to the Doak oval-shaped VTOL design, the Bell D-2022 concept for a ducted fan assault helicopter was not taken up by the Pentagon. Bell Aviation sized in peacetime, diversifying into items for By 1950 Doak had secured official interest the general consumer market. Although they __ in the development of a new two-man flying continued to manufacture a wide range of disc aircraft, which utilised ducted fan aviation components, Edmond Doak became _ propulsion. Doak expected the aircraft to increasingly interested in helicopters, ducted _ have a full VTOL capability and envisaged the fans and VTOL concepts, with ideas of mov- use of two contra-rotating co-axial rotors ing the company into the bigger league of air- inside a central duct, which would eliminate craft constructors. any torque problems and channel air down- 90 Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft