Henry Vroman Borst

United States of America

 

Henry Vroman Borst, a 1943 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, had a long career as an aeronautical engineer. He worked at Curtiss Wright Corporation for many years following graduation, rising to become Chief of Aerodynamics.

During this time, he participated in the development of the Curtiss Wright X-19 (a design for which he held several basic patents), as well as the X-100. The X-100 first flew in March 1960 as part of the company’s investigation of the “radial lift force” effect in which the propellers of a convertiplane continue to deliver lift even when swiveled for horizontal flight. The X-100 was a sufficient enough success to lead to the much more sophisticated X-200, two of which were ordered for the Air Force and designated the X-19A. The aircraft first flew in November 1963, and was configured as a fourpropeller, twin powerplant (two Avco Lycoming T55-L-5 turboshafts) executive transport. Although the design had great potential, the Air Force terminated further work after the loss of the first prototype and before full flight transition had been attempted.

As founder of H.V. Borst and Associates, Mr. Borst co-authored numerous technical papers and three books on aerodynamic theory, including Fluid Dynamic Lift. 

Henry Vroman Borst, former Director of Preliminary Design for the Vertol Division of the Boeing Company in Philadelphia, passed away on January 2, 2007.

AHS (VFS) Update: Vertiflite Summer 2007

 

Milestones associated with Henry Vroman Borst
September 12, 1959	First free flight hover of the Curtiss-Wright X-100
November 20, 1963	First hover flight of the Curtiss-Wright X-19