SNECMA Coléoptère

Designed by SNECMA and manufactured by Nord Aviation, the Coléoptère (beetle) was an early attempt at designing a vertical take off and landing aircraft (VTOL). Designed using an annular wing, it successfully undertook eight vertical take off and landing trials. Unfortunately, on the ninth flight, intended to test the transition to horizontal flight the aircraft crashed. The pilot ejected at only 150m and although he survived was badly injured.