The Manx (named after a well-known breed of stub-tailed housecat)[1] was built to participate in a flight research program investigating problems associated with tailless aircraft.

The partially-swept wings supported the vertical stabilizers of a twin tail, with elevons for pitch and roll control.

An unorthodox aspect of the Manx design incorporated into the aircraft was that the main undercarriage was retractable, while the nose gear remained fixed.

Taxi tests began in early 1940, but inspection revealed serious deterioration of the wing structures, which required extensive repair.

The first flight was terminated early when the canopy was lost in mid-flight, but the pilot managed to land the plane safely.