The Vought V-173, nicknamed the "Flying Pancake," was an unconventional, saucer-shaped aircraft designed by Charles Zimmerman in the late 1930s. Developed for the U.S. Navy, its unique "all-wing" ...
What You Need to Know: The Vought V-173, or “Flying Pancake,” defied traditional aircraft design with its flat, flying-wing shape. Invented in the 1930s by Charles Zimmerman, the V-173 was designed in ...
The Vought V-173 Flying Pancake used a circular wing and strong propeller wash to achieve extremely slow flight and very short takeoff distances. Its unusual shape delivered exceptional low speed ...