L90-4341: "The Langley Aerodrome, brainchild of a group led by Samuel Langley. Shortly after this photo was taken, the December 8, 1903, manned tests of the Aerodrome ended abruptly in failure, as it fell into More
Samuel Pierpont Langley (1834 - 1906) and Charles M. Manly (left) chief mechanic and pilot on board the houseboat which served to launch Langley's Aerodrome aircraft over the Potomac River in 1903. NASA Identif More
Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory as it appeared shortly after completion in 1918. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75th Anniversary NASA publication (page 2), by James Schultz. NASA Identifier: L1378
Model of the XN2Y-1 for testing in 15-Foot Spin Tunnel. This was one of two balsa wood models (the other was a 1/12-scale model of the F4B-2) for initial testing and calibration of the new tunnel. Researchers w More
Boeing F3B-1: While most Boeing F3B-1s served aboard the U. S. Navy aircraft carriers Lexington and Saratoga, this example flew in NACA hands at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in the late 1920's. More
Either a F2B-1 or F3B-1, both aircraft were built by Boeing and both were powered by Pratt and Whitney Wasp engines. These fighters were intended for Navy shipboard use. Boeing F3B-1: While most Boeing F3B-1s s More
Installation of Careystone covering at the Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) facility. The corrugated concrete and asbestos panels (1/4 inch thick; 42 inches wide; 62 inches long) which were used as siding and roofing fo More
Melvin N. Gough started his NACA career in the Propeller Research Tunnel. After taking flight training and becoming a reserve navy pilot in the late 1920s he transferred from the PRT to the flight test section. More
Engineer David L. Bacon and physicist Frederick H. Norton, escorted Orville Wright, in hat, around the laboratory during his visit in July 1922. To the right is George Lewis. NASA Identifier: L1767
SPAD VII (Socitete Pour Aviation et des Derives): This SPAD VII, marked as NACA 10, flew at Langley from September 1922 until February 1925. NASA Identifier: L423
Sperry M-1 Messenger: The Army's Sperry M-1 Messenger tested variable-camber wings at Langley in 1926. NASA Identifier: L1313
Bee Line BR-1 Racer: The Bee Line BR-1 was a racing aircraft used to compete in the 1922 Pulitzer Air Race. The aircraft and its sister ship, the Bee Line BR-2, came to Langley and the NACA in 1926. The BR-1 is More
Boeing NB-1: Designed as a primary trainer for the U. S. Navy, the Boeing NB-1 was used by the NACA at Langley starting in October 1926. The float-quipped example used by the NACA was suspended from the NACA ha More
This Boeing PW-9 was built with strong tail surfaces and fuselage for the systematic investigation of pressure distribution. Although the PW-9 designation would seem to mark a military aircraft, the NACA Boeing More
Langley administrative office in 1927. Note the blueprints on the table at right lower corner, and rubber stamp tree on the man's desk in left foreground. NASA Identifier: L2204
Army Curtis Hawk with NACA cowling. This Curtiss AT-5A is equipped to test a NACA cowling, November 1928. It was the work done on the NACA cowling which brought Langley the Collier Trophy in 1929. Although carr More
Pile driving for foundation of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST). In 1924, George Lewis, Max Munk and Fred Weick began to discuss an idea for a wind tunnel large enough to test a full-scale propeller. Munk sketched out a More
Installation of Full Scale Tunnel (FST) power plant. Virginia Public Service Company could not supply adequate electricity to run the wind tunnels being built at Langley. (The Propeller Research Tunnel was powe More
Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction. On June 26, 1929, Elton W. Miller wrote to George W. Lewis proposing the construction of a model of the full-scale tunnel . "The excellent energy ratio obtai More
Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction. On June 26, 1929, Elton W. Miller wrote to George W. Lewis proposing the construction of a model of the full-scale tunnel. "The excellent energy ratio obtain More
Interior view of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. On June 26, 1929, Elton W. Miller wrote to George W. Lewis proposing the construction of a model of the full-scale tunnel. "The excellent energy ratio obtained in More
The Main Committe of the NACA met in Washington,D.C., twice a year, the annual meeting being held in October and the semiannual meeting in April. Among the matters discussed at this semiannual meeting on 18 Apr More
Test of 4" x 20" Clark-Y airfoil model in Full-Scale Tunnel (FST). On June 26, 1929, Elton W. Miller wrote to George W. Lewis proposing the construction of a model of the full-scale tunnel. "The excellent energ More
Doyle O-2 Oriole: The parasol-winged Doyle O-2 Oriole monoplane was flown by the NACA at Langley starting in 1929. The O-2 designation was not a military type number, but rather a company designation. The Oriol More
Modified propeller and spinner in Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. On June 26, 1929, Elton W. Miller wrote to George W. Lewis proposing the construction of a model of the full-scale tunnel. "The excellent energy More
In 1922, at NASA Langley Research Center, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautic (NACA), completed the Variable Density Tunnel (VDT), the world's first wind tunnel in which air pressures could be varied More
Construction progress, aerials of East Area. L5169: Langley's seaplane towing facility (right) and the Full Scale Tunnel (left) were photographed in November of 1930. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75 More
Curtiss XBFC-1 (XF11C-1) Goshawk: The NACA equipped the Navy's Curtis XBFC-1 fighter-bomber with an experimental nose-slot cowling for ground testing in October 1937. Measurements of the XBFC-1's cockpit field More
Picryl description: Public domain photo of vintage Virginia postcard.
Construction of the wood frame for the Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel. The Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel was originally called the Refrigeration or "Ice" tunnel because it was intended to support More
The XF4B-1 was one of two prototypes of the F4B/P-12 series of Boeing fighter aircraft. This aircraft was evaluated at Langley by the NACA in 1930. NASA Identifier: L4588
1930s aircraft owned and operated by the NACA at Langley Air Field: a Pitcairn autogiro purchased in 1931. Photograph published in Engineer in Charge: A History of the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, 1917-1958 More
Fred Weick's homebuilt W-1A of 1934, one of the first aircraft to employ tricycle landing gear. Weick and group of nine other Langley engineers built this small experimental airplane in their spare time to stud More
Vought SU-2 Corsair: The Vought SU-2 Corsair was originally designated the O3U-4, but was reassigned to the scout category of naval aircraft. This SU-2 was tested in Langley's 30 x 60 Full Scale Tunnel in 1934. More
Franklin PS-2 (XPS-2) Glider: This beefy-looking glider is a Franklin PS-2, a pair of which were operated by the NACA at Langley beginning in April 1936. The Navy only ordered half a dozen of these training gli More
Full Scale Wind Tunnel and Tow Basin under construction. L4496 caption: "The Langley complex as seen in May 1930. Under construction in foreground is the Full Scale Wind Tunnel." Photograph and caption publishe More
Langley's drag-cleanup studies of the Brewster Buffalo experimental fighter in 1938 were so productive that the U.S. Army and Navy sent most of their World War II prototype and production aircraft to the Labora More
Weick W-1A: Fred Weick's homebuilt W-1A of 1934, one of the first aircraft to employ tricycle landing gear. Weick and a group of nine other Langley engineers built this small experimental airplane in their spar More
Boeing P-26A at Langley Field for Army Navy day in 1934. NASA Identifier: L10142
Full Scale Wind Tunnel and Tow Basin under construction. L4496 caption: "The Langley complex as seen in May 1930. Under construction in foreground is the Full Scale Wind Tunnel." Photograph published in Winds o More
A Ford Trimotor operated as a transport by the Marines at Langley for Army Navy day in 1934. The military designation of this plane was RR-1. NASA Identifier: L10155
Grumman JF-1 Duck: The Grumman JF-1 Duck was in service with the NACA at Langley during the summer of 1934. The JF-1 was notably different from the later J2F Duck in that the JF-1 had a shorter central float. T More
Franklin PS-2 (XPS-2) Glider: This Franklin PS-2 training glider is about to be towed aloft by the specially modified car in front. NACA researchers used the PS-2 in a study of ground effect on a towed glider. More
Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory: Langley's staff of young engineers wearing shorts to beat the summer heat of Tidewater in 1930. From left to right: Harvey Herring, Irvin Coates, Warren Weiss, Clindon More
Martin B-10B: Although the front turret looks like it may have bee too high, the drag of the Martin B-10 bomber was low enough for it to have been faster than any U. S. Fighter when it was first ordered in Janu More
P-12E, a Boeing aircraft, at Langley Field on Army Navy day, 1934. NASA Identifier: L10143
Gathered together in the only facility big enough to hold them, attendees at Langleys 1934 aircraft Engineering Conference pose in the Full Scale Wind Tunnel underneath a Boeing P-26A Peashooter. Present, among More
Construction of 5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. The 5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel was built to study spinning characteristics of aircraft. It was an open throat tunnel capable of a maximum speed of 80 mph. NACA engi More
This Northrop Alpha fast transport made a brief visit to the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in February 1931. One of Jack Northrop's earlier designs, it resembled some of the Lockheed products of the More
Lockheed/Detroit XRO-1 Altair: The metal fuselage-wooden winged Lockheed XRO-1 Altair carried the distinction of being the first aircraft with retractable gear operated by the U. S. Navy. This aircraft appeared More
The NACA Langley hangar, circa 1933. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75th Anniversary NASA publication, (page 42-43), by James Schultz. NASA Identifier: L8288
Amelia Earhart front row, center on the steps of Langley Research Building in 1928 before a tour. Legend has it that, during the tour, part of her raccoon fur coat was sucked into a high speed wind tunnel. Imag More
Testing a 1/12th scale model of SBN-1 in the 12-Foot Free-Flight Tunnel: The 12-foot free-flight wind tunnel was constructed in 1939 to assist researchers studying the problems of stability and control. The des More
Group photo on steps of Langley Research Building in 1928. Front row, left to right: E.A. Meyers, Elton Miller, Amelia Earhart, Henry Reid, and Lt. Col. Jacob W.S. Wuest. Back row, Left to right: Carlton Kemper More
Manometer for the Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel. The Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel was originally called the Refrigeration or "Ice" tunnel because it was intended to support research on aircraft More
Dr. H.J.E. Reid, Langley Director; Vannevar Bush, NACA Chairman; and George Lewis at Langley, 1938. Vannevar Bush, Henry Reid, George W. Lewis: Vannevar Bush (center) visited Langley on October 21, 1938, just m More
1938 aerial view of East area featuring the towing tank in the foreground. So long that the curvature of the earth had to be taken into account during construction, the towing tank was used for investigations o More
Construction of the Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel. The Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel was originally called the Refrigeration or "Ice" tunnel because it was intended to support research on aircra More
Title, date, and attribution based on similarity to transparency) LC-USW36-203. Formerly titled "A new C-87 transport getting a final check-up preparatory to a test flight at the Consolidated Aircraft Corporati More
Aeronca 65-C Chief: For a month in the late summer of 1939 this Aeronca 65-C Chief underwent flying qualities evaluation by NACA pilots at Langley. NASA Identifier: L18547
Radial Engines: Pratt & Whitney: In the spring of 1939 Langley's Power Plants Division tested a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine to determine the amount of thrust that could be obtained by projecting the wa More
Piper J-3L50 Cub: The Piper J-3 Cub was evaluated at Langley by the NACA in late 1939 to early 1940. The J-3 was used by many World War II pilots as the airplane in which they were first introduced to flight. N More
Republic XP-47F Thunderbolt: The Republic XP-47F was a Laminar-Flow airfoil testbed modified from a P-47B airframe. The aircraft was flown for a few months during 1943 as part of Langley's role in the American More
Brewster XSBA-1: The prototype Brewster XSBA-1 scout plane flew at Langley from 1939 until 1941 and returned a year later with a new wing, one that had increased dihedral. It flew it this form until leaving the More
North American XP-51 Mustang: The North American XP-51 Mustang was the first aircraft to incorporate an NACA laminar-flow airfoil. This is the second XP-51, which arrived at Langley in March 1943. NASA Identifier: L34304
The late 1940s saw increased flight activity, and more women computers were needed at the NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit than the ones who had originally arrived in 1946. A call went out to the NACA Langley, Lewis More
Grumman JRF-5 Goose: The NACA used this Grumman JRF-5 Goose amphibian to shuttle workers back and forth between Langley and Wallops Island. NASA Identifier: L45147
Sikorsky HNS-1 (YR-4B) Hoverfly Helicopter: Sikorsky's HNS-1 helicopter was test flown at Langley in March 1945. This example was initially ordered by the Army, and carries an Army serial number. Jack Reeder, t More
Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat: While not built to the full production standard of other Grumman Wildcats, this Wildcat, the second F4F-3, was used by the NACA at Langley to investigate the cuffs on the propeller blades More
Ryan ST (STA Special): The sporty Ryan ST was flown at Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in research conducted concerning flaps, slats, and internally-balanced ailerons. "NACA 96" ended its flying career More
Boeing B-29B Superfortress: Among the tests Langley performed with this Boeing B-29 Superfortress were dropping free-fall test bodies. Problems with engine cooling limited this aircraft's use in the role, and a More
North American XP-51 Mustang: This XP-51 Mustang built by North American Aviation is the oldest P-51 in existence. It flew for two period at Langley with the NACA, shown here during its later stay between Janua More
Lockheed YP-38 Lightning: Drag cleanup tests were conducted on the Lockheed YP-38 Lightning in the 30 x 60 Full Scale Tunnel in December, 1941. Later models of the P-38 performed stellar service in WW II, but a More
The Lockheed 12A Electra Junior was delivered from the factory had only the fins mounted at the tips of the horizontal tail. Langley tried a center fin to improve the directional stability of its Lockheed 12A E More
Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat: This Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat tested while at Langley a turbo-supercharger, rather than a gear-driven supercharger as was the norm with the F6F. This aircraft served with the NACA for almo More
Grumman XF8F-1 Bearcat: This Grumman Bearcat, the first, the XF8F-1, was tested for directional instability in Langley's 30 x 60 Full Scale Tunnel. NASA Identifier: L42397
Bell YP-39 Airacobra: This YP-39 Airacobra was one of several service-test models of the Bell fighter ordered before major production contracts were given. It arrived at Langley in February 1941 and flew with t More
North American SNJ-3C: This North American SNJ-3C trainer underwent trials at Langley in NACA hands from December 1942 until July 1945. The "C" suffix denoted a tailhook-equipped SNJ-3, which would enable the t More
Curtiss XP-42: This highly modified Curtiss P-36A became the XP-42 when it was re-engined and took part in drag-reduction and all-moving tail research with the NACA at Langley. The last flight of this aircraft More