The idea of an aircraft utilizing the wing swiveling about the vertical axis dates back to WWII times, when Dr. Richard Vogt of
Blohm & Voss company proposed the BV P.202 fighter project in 1944. The aerodynamic benefits of such concept are evident: it is ideal
for low speeds in straight position and for high speeds in "skew" position. The unique wing was demonstrated on a small, subsonic
jet-powered research aircraft called the AD-1 (Ames Dryden -1). The aircraft was flown 79 times during the research program.
Powered by two small turbojet engines, each producing 220 pounds of static thrust at sea level, the aircraft was limited for reasons
of safety to a speed of about 170 mph. It was constructed of plastic reinforced with fiberglas.
The final flight of the AD-1 did not occur at Dryden, however, but at the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) annual exhibition
at Oshkosh, WI, where it was flown eight times to demonstrate its unique configuration.