This Plane Will Take Off And Land On Its Tail. - The Plane is moved up to its vertical take off position... This Fantastic New fighter plane, able to take off and land vertically, was Announced recently by the U.S. Navy. Powered by twin Jet Turbines harnessed to contr-Rotating propellers, the XFV-I can take off vertically from a standing start on its tail, level off to fly and fight at very high speeds, and hover stationary in the air and descend for landing on its tail. The plane uses its four-point, X-shaped tail for a landing gear. A specially designed ground handling cart lifts the plane into its vertical take-off position and Also provides the ladder for the the Pilot to Climb up into the cockpit. March 19, 1954. (Photo by Paul Popper Ltd.).