TYPE: Experimental STOL aircraft

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Continental A-80 engines, rated at 107 h.p. each

PERFORMANCE: 138 m.p.h. at 5,000 ft

COMMENT: The V-173, nicknamed “Flying pancake”, was a Short Take-Off/Landing (STOL) demonstrator, made completely from wood and fabric. It could take-off from  carrier decks under 200 ft. At headwind, it could lift into the air without take-off run. A further development was the Chance Vought XF5U-1