Name that Plane XXXIV

[Terminus]

Probably the strangest one ever built, but Name that Plane:

[Tankerace]

I don't know what it is, but it would hurt like crazy if you sat on it [:D]

[Brigz]

It's a NASA simulator of the Moon lander for the Apollo program back in the 60's. Neil Armstrong nearly died in one such test.

[CapnDarwin]

The Flying Bedstead or the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle. Also the Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig used in the developement of VTOL aircraft.

[Greyshaft]

The Rolls-Royce Thrust-measuring Rig, an experimental aircraft that was first flown in August 1954 and was used help in the development of VTOL (vertical takeoff-and-landing) aircraft. The jetpipes of the two Nene engines were downward turned by 90° to give vertical thrust.

This one is the British version which preceeded similar USA development. The British were inventing a warplane while the US was looking at scientific applications like exploring the moon. Naturally the military version had the greater emphasis and became the (British) Hawker Harrier

[Terminus]

Yup, that there's a Flying Bedstead.