Different path to V/STOL

I was watching program about secret aircraft design of Allied forces during World War II, and they mentioned Vought V-173 / XF5U-1.
Called Flying Flapjack or Flying Pancake, it was very pioneering aircraft that has STOL capability, capability that is appealing for carriers and small airfield near the front.
I was wondering if the concept of Flying Flapjack is revived today, would it had good military application to it?
I mean Flying Flapjack concept seemed more efficient in term of fuel economy and more forgiving in piloting than current V/STOL concept which the Harrier embodies. I believe appeal of Flyng Flapjack is there, because unlike Harrier, which depends on brute power of its engine to achieve V/STOL, Flying Flapjack uses its aerodynamic design to achieve it.

http://www.unrealaircraft.com/wings/cv_flapjack.php
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f5u.htm
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/aircraft/flapjack.htm