The Farfadet (elf) convertiplane had separate engines driving the propeller and - through compressed air fed to the tips - the rotor for vertical take-off and landing. In horizontal flight the compressor engine was shut down and the aircraft flew as an autogyro with most lift generated by the fixed wing. According to the French Wikipedia, first vertical flight on 29 April 1953 without nose engine; Artouste nose engine fitted summer 1954; first transition to horizontal flight 2 December 1954; speeds of 260 km/h reached; aircraft damaged a few months later and not repaired, by then re-registered F-BBGD. Prototype 02 damaged during ground test and never flown. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)