Known as the flying pancake, the flying flapjack, and the Zimmer Skimmer, this was surely a source of one or two flying saucer reports.
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One of the most unusual aircraft ever designed for the U.S. Navy was the Chance Vought V-173, also known as the Zimmerman "Flying Pancake". It was a prototype "proof of concept" aircraft that lacked wings, instead relying on its flat circular body to provide the lifting surface. This multi-million dollar project nearly became the first V/STOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fighter. [continued with more pics]
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Please see:
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplane...t/flapjack.htm