The second Vertijet was demonstrated successfully in front of the Pentagon. In the background is the Columbia Island Marina, with the Humpback Bridge on the right. The Washington Monument is just visible. Photo by: Edward Clark / Life

Don't try this at home but the second X-13 succesfully took off vertically, transitioned to horizontal flight and landed vertically again at Edwards on 11 April 1957, flown by Pete Girard. This was also done near the Pentagon in July 1957. The last X-13 flight was on 30 September 1957 and both airframes survive. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

Slide taken in the outdoor display area at the original museum which was located on Patterson AFB. The X-13 is now on display at the current museum in the Research & Development Gallery.

The X-13 was designed for vertical take-off and landing, tail down, and achieved this but the first of two aircraft was first flown with a temporary tricycle landing gear on 10 December 1955. Photo from: Wright State University

The second of two X-13 Vertijet VTOL experimental aircraft to be built. Powered by a Rolls Royce Avon RA.28.

This is at the store and restoration site for the museum

The X-13 was intended to prove that a jet could take off vertically, transition to horizontal flight and return to vertical flight for landing. It was hoped that such a jet would lead the way for submarine-based aircraft and provide offensive capability should conventional runways be destroyed in an attack. This is the second of two X-13s, completing the first full-cycle flight in April 1957 at Edwards AFB and is now on dispaly in the R&D Gallery of the NMUSAF's new fourth building.

The first of two experimental delta-winged vertical take-off test planes acquired under a USAF programme in the mid 1950s. This example retains the test marking on its fin used to help video recording of its flights.

After WWII, Ryan Aeronautical studied the feasibility of a vertically launched jet fighter for the US Navy. In 1953, the Air Force awarded them a contract to build two jet-powered VTOL aircraft designated X-13. This is the second of those and it became the first jet aircraft to demonstrate a full cycle of vertical take-off, transition to horizontal flight and maneuver, then make a vertical landing on April 7, 1957. 54-1620 was transferred to the US Air Force Museum at Dayton, OH in 1959.