In news:1154806836.659230.15370@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com,
riplin@Azonic.co.nz <riplin@Azonic.co.nz> typed:

It failed to lift itself out of ground effect.  That is, it would work
as a hovercraft, but not as a VTOL aircraft. The few times they tried
to fly it showed it to be unstable and almost uncontrollable, as you
would expect (or I would) with a huge enclosed fan acting as a
gyroscope, even the engines were not handed so they too produced
unwanted gyroscope effects.

The Harrier Jump Jet was more sucessful.
-- 
Amanda