An early prototype of the V-22 Osprey – 40 years earlier!

The world’s first vertical takeoff passenger liner.

Although regular readers will remember the incredibly hi-tech V-22 Osprey military helicopter we featured in issue three, this historic video reveals that VTOL technology in its infancy. Like the Osprey, Fairey Aviation’s Rotodyne was an aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing while carrying a large payload. Whereas the Osprey admittedly has state-of-the-art tilt rotors, the Rotodyne featured a combination of static rotor and turboprop engine – and all more than 40 years before the Osprey.