German V/STOL Transport Programs in the Twentieth Century

In the mid-1950s, the German Luftwaffe began to develop a number of Vertical and/or Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft as deterrents in a nuclear threat environment. Subsequently, large V/STOL transports were considered as a way of reducing commercial aircraft traffic congestion. Despite extensive design studies, component tests and even flight testing, none of the designs ever reached production. These large V/STOL transport designs are discussed here.