On 6 May 1959, French aircraft manufacturer SNECMA created aviation history with the successful test flight of their revolutionary Coléoptère vertical take-off aircraft. Unveiled in the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s (FAI) official report, the flight marked the first successful test of a vectored thrust aircraft that was able to take off vertically, hover and land in the same spot. The Coléoptère was powered by two SNECMA Atar 101G engines which produced 4.98 kN (1,125 lbf) of thrust each. The aircraft was able to reach a maximum altitude of 7,800 feet, with a maximum speed of 250 mph. After its initial test … The French SNECMA Coléoptère vertical take-off aircraft, which first flew on 6 May 1959. részletei…