That would of been an awesome plane if it managed to do something beyond one test hover before it was scrapped.
NSX23 posted some modern "pushing propeller" planes .
Here are some of their ancestors:
The Saab J21 1943:
and even more advanced the Kyushu J7W Shinden in 1945 with canards wings:
But in aviation, nothing can beat this aircraft family:
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Regular...
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Large...
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Larger...
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err, Largerer...
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Largerest!
The Navy did a manned launch with their electromagnetic accelerator for carriers: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/12/navy-launches-pilot-with-an-electromagnetic-shove/
These planes really are incredibly awesome.