A converted Anderson Greenwood AG-14 light single-engined pusher aircraft, it provided the test-bed, or test platform, on which to test the boundary layer control system and ducted propeller installation of the planned XV-11 Marvel STOL research aircraft.

One aircraft was converted to XAZ-1 configuration; although underpowered, it provided valuable test data over a year-long flight program.

Initially, a simple conversion, to be designated MA-18, was planned, but it was later decided to make the test bed more closely resemble the final full-scale aircraft, with the resultant changes causing re-designation to MA-18A.

The new wing was made of glassfibre and incorporated the camber-changing mechanism and perforations to allow suction for boundary layer control.

[5][6] After making its maiden flight on 16 November 1962, the Marvelette was used in an extensive test program to evaluate the aircraft and its novel features.