Hanover Air Show 1964

Photographs from the Hanover Air Show held in 1964, featruring the EWR VJ 101 experimental German jet fighter vertical takeoff/landing (VTOL) aircraft.

EWR (Entwicklungsring Süd) was a German consortium formed in 1959 to build a Mach 2 Vertical Take-Off Interceptor for the German Air Force

VJ stood for Versuchsjäger, (German for “Experimental Fighter”).

The VJ 101 was one of the first V/STOL designs to have the potential for eventual Mach 2 flight.

During the 1950s, as various nations took an interest in developing VTOL-capable aircraft, the German Federal Government issued a request to the nation’s recently revived aviation industries for them to study possible designs for such aircraft.

In response, in 1960, German engine manufacturer MAN Turbo commenced work on a suitable engine in close cooperation with British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Limited

Development of the VJ 101 C was greatly complicated by the changing requirements of the BMVg, who decided to transform the aircraft’s envisioned mission profile from the interceptor role to a more general fighter instead, greatly changing the performance requirements for it to fulfil.

During 1968, development of the VJ 101 was ultimately cancelled.