Space Shuttle Columbia, Shuttle Enterprise Free Flight
(1977) The Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise flies free after being released from NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) over Rogers Dry Lakebed during the second of five free flights carried out at the Dry... More
NASA Lifting Bodies on Lakebed, Armstrong flight research center
(November 30, 1968) The wingless lifting body aircraft sitting on Rogers Dry Lake at what is now NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. From left to right are the X-24A, M2-F3 and the HL-10.... More
Bohn-Meyer Math and Science Odyssey
Read Feature Paul Jones, senior research chemist at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base and Krista Esse, a student at Lancaster«És Amargosa Creek Middle School, get some hands-on experim... More
Miscellaneous: EC03-0163-16 The mural was created...
EC03-0163-16 The mural was created to celebrate the achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright and to commemorate a century of powered flight. Central to the composition is the 1903 Wright Flyer. ''On Dec. 17, 1... More
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden - portrait. NASA public domain image colelction.
Dr. Hugh Latimer Dryden, had many titles after his name in his lifetime. In 1949 he became the director of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Dr. Dryden received many accolades and awards b... More
B-29 mothership with pilots - Payne, Butchart, Walker, Littleton, and ...
This photo shows the B-29 in the background with Dick Payne, Stan Butchart, and Joe Walker standing in front of it, Charles Littleton and John Moise squatting. The Boeing B-29 was the first U.S. aircraft to be ... More
X-1, NASA history collection. NASA public domain image colelction.
E49-007A roll-out of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, bomber with the Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-2 mated and ready for flight. NACA Flight 33 was flown on September 23, 1949, as a pilot familiarization flight ... More
X-1, NASA history collection. NASA public domain image colelction.
E49-0004The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-2 Sitting on the ramp at NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station with the Boeing B-29 launch ship behind. The painting near the nose of the B-29 depicts a stork carryin... More
X-1, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
E-9XS-1 on the ramp with the B-29 mothership in 1949. This is the second XS-1 built; it later was converted into the X-1E. Unlike the XS-1-1, which was flown by the Air Force, the XS-1-2 was flown mostly by Bel... More
NASA P-51D Mustang, Dryden history gallery
EC00-0277-1A white plate on the top of the wing of a restored National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) P-51D Mustang mounts scale airfoil shapes as used by the NACA in the late 1940s for high-speed re... More
NASA P-51D Mustang, Dryden history gallery
EC00-0277-3Bill Allmon of Las Vegas, Nevada, brought his restored NACA P-51D to a reunion of former NACA employees at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center located at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Sept. 1... More
NASA 1946, NASA history collection, Dryden history gallery
Five NACA engineers, headed by Walt Williams, arrived at Muroc Army Airfield (now Edwards AFB) about this date from Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, VA, to prepare for X-1 supersonic research flights i... More
D-558-1 on ramp with research pilots Eugene May and Howard Lilly
Description: In this photograph the Douglas D-558-1 #2 Skystreak is pictured with test pilot Eugene May (Douglas Aircraft Company) on the left and National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) research pil... More
D-558-1 on the ramp. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This 1949 NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph of the Douglas D-558-1 #3 Skystreak was taken in front of the NACA hangar at South Base, Edwards Air Force. NACA had the color of the Skystreaks changed from red... More
D-558-1 on the ramp. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This 1949 NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph of the Douglas D-558-1 #3 Skystreak was taken in front of the NACA hangar at South Base, Edwards Air Force. NACA had the color of the Skystreaks changed from red... More
D-558-2 being towed on lakebed. Experimental NASA aircraft photograph.
Description (1949) In this 1949 photograph a D-558-2 is being towed across Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft is still equipped with a jet engine, used for ground takeoffs. On the tail o... More
X-1, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
E49-001 The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-2 sits on the Rogers Dry Lakebed at Muroc Air Force Base, California in 1949. Some airplane characteristics are: Fuselage length, feet 31.0Wing span, feet 28.0Horizonta... More
Hugh L. Dryden, NASA history collection
Description: Dr. Hugh Latimer Dryden, had many titles after his name in his lifetime. In 1949 he became the director of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Dr. Dryden received many accolades... More
D-558-1 Skystreak, NASA history collection
E49-090 This 1949 NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph of the Douglas D-558-1 #3 Skystreak was taken in front of the NACA hangar at South Base, Edwards Air Force. NACA had the color of the Skystreaks changed ... More
D-558-1 Skystreak, NASA history collection
E-226 The Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak is seen close-up in this 1949 photograph. The D-558-1 made its landing approach at about 210 knots and landed at 143 knots. Despite the (then) high landing speed, the pilots ... More
D-558-1 Skystreak, NASA history collection
E49-00204 NACA test pilot Robert Champine is seen in the cockpit of the Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak with the ground crew. Robert A. Champine was a research pilot with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronauti... More
First NACA test pilot: Howard Clifton Lilly
Description: (1949) In August 1947, Howard Clifton Lilly became the first permanently assigned NACA engineering test pilot at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' Muroc Flight Test Unit at what late... More
December 10, 1949, NASA history collection
Women served as the first computers for the Flight Research Center. Hired because of their math degrees or teaching background, they took raw data from the aircraft--beginning with film traces--and generated pa... More
X-1, NASA history collection. NASA public domain image colelction.
E49-005The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-2 and two of the NACA pilots that flew the aircraft. The one on the viewer's left is Robert Champine with the other being Herbert Hoover. Champine made a total of 13 fli... More
D-558-2 on ramp. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This 1949 NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 #1 at the South Base, Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft was turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics on 31 Aug... More
X-15 Mated to B-52 Captive Flight
One of three X-15 rocket-powered research aircraft being carried aloft under the wing of its B-52 mothership. The X-15 was air launched from the B-52 so the rocket plane would have enough fuel to reach its high... More
X-4 in Flight, NASA history collection
The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight close-up photograph. The two large "X"s seen connected by a line painted on the aircraft were used as an aid in ... More
NASA X-15, Dryden history gallery
EC93-41012-6 NASA research pilot Milt Thompson is seen here with the mock-up of X-15 #3 that was later installed at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Milton 0. Thompson was a research... More
NASA X-15, Dryden history gallery
EC93-41012-5 NASA research pilot Milt Thompson stands next to a mock-up of X-15 number 3 that was later installed at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Milton 0. Thompson was a researc... More
Aircraft Fleet 1950s, NASA history collection
E-1914Early NACA research aircraft on the lakebed at the High Speed Research Station in 1955: Left to right: X-1E, D-558-II, X-1B August 12,1955 NASA Photo / NACA/NASA1950s Fleet Description NASA Identifier: 37... More
Dryden B-52 Launch Aircraft on Dryden Ramp
NASA's venerable B-52 mothership sits on the ramp in front of the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Over the course of more than 40 years, the B-52 launched numerous experimental aircraft, ran... More
X-5 on Ramp, NASA history collection
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base in 1952. The photograph is a left side view of the aircraft on the ramp. The Bell, X-5 wa... More
NASA Aircraft Fleet 1950s, Dryden history gallery
ET61-0145NASA Research Aircraft - D-558-II, D-558-I, X-5, X-1, XF-92A, X-430 March 1952 NASA Photo / NASA 1950s Fleet Description NASA Identifier: 370444main_ET61-0145
NASA D-558-2 Skyrocket, Dryden history gallery
E-2478 The D-558-2 is launched from the Navy P2B-1S (Navy designation for the B-29) in this 1950s photograph. The early Douglas and NACA flights of the D-558-2s used only the airplane's jet engine and took off ... More
NASA B-29 Mothership Aircraft, Dryden history gallery
E58-03663A B-29 #800 with X-1B attached taxi's in off of the lakebed. April 9, 1958 NASA Photo / NACA B-29 Project Description NASA Identifier: 302543main_E58-03663A
X-15 landing on lakebed. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
The North American X-15 settles to the lakebed after a research flight from what is now the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wing... More
X-38 - First Flight, NASA history collection
Reminiscent of the lifting body research flights conducted more than 30 years earlier, NASA's B-52 mothership lifts off carrying a new generation of lifting body research vehicle--the X-38. The X-38 was designe... More
D-558-2 being towed on lakebed. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
In this 1949 photograph a D-558-2 is being towed across Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft is still equipped with a jet engine, used for ground takeoffs. On the tail of the Skyrocket is ... More
X-15 mock-up with test pilot Milt Thompson
NASA research pilot Milt Thompson is seen here with the mock-up of X-15 #3 that was later installed at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Milton 0. Thompson was a research pilot, Chief... More
NASA Aircraft Fleet 1950s, Dryden history gallery
E-2952 This NACA High-Speed Flight Station photograph of the Century Series fighters in formation flight was taken in 1957. The F-100 lower center had originally been built as a day fighter. The later versions ... More
NASA X-1B, Dryden history gallery
E-4097 The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1B rocket-powered research aircraft, one of the growth versions of the original X-1 series, is shown in this 1957 photo on the bed of Rogers Dry Lake adjacent to the NACA ... More
X-4 in Flight, NASA history collection
The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight photograph. The X-4 Bantam, a single-place, low swept-wing, semi-tailless aircraft, was designed and built by No... More
X-5 on Ramp - Front View, Wings Swept
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph, on the ramp in-front of the NACA hangar, shows a frontal view of the X-5... More
NASA D-558-2 Skyrocket, Dryden history gallery
E-1014 This 1953 NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 #2 Skyrocket (NACA 144), prior to flight, being towed under the P2B-1S (Navy designation for the Air Force B-29) lau... More
M2-F1 in flight, NASA history collection
The M2-F1 Lifting Body is seen here under tow by an unseen C-47 at the NASA Flight Research Center (later redesignated the Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California. The low-cost vehicle was the first... More
NASA X-1, Dryden history gallery
E52-0670The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1-2 aircraft on the ramp at NACA High Speed Flight Research Station located on the South Base of Muroc Army Air Field in 1947. The X-1-2 flew until October 23, 1951, comp... More
YRF-84F aircraft on ramp. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This mid-1950s photo shows the YRF-84F on the NACA ramp. The YRF-84F was a prototype of a photo reconnaissance aircraft. It was fitted with a new nose and swept wings from earlier versions of the F-84. A YRF-84... More
X-5 on Ramp - Side View. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph shows the X-5 on the ramp in-front of the NACA hangar. The Bell, X-5 was ... More
NASA X-1, Dryden history gallery
E51-593 The third X-1 46-064, known as ''Queenie,'' is mated to the EB-50A 46-006 at Edwards AFB, California. Following a captive flight on 9 November 1951, both aircraft were destroyed by fire during defueling... More
X-2 in flight after drop from B-50 mothership
The Bell Aircraft Company X-2 (46-674) drops away from its Boeing B-50 mothership in this photo. Lt. Col. Frank "Pete" Everest piloted 674 on its first unpowered flight on 5 August 1954. He made the first rocke... More
NASA X-4, Dryden history gallery
E-17402The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight photograph. The X-4 Bantam, a single-place, low swept-wing, semi-tailless aircraft, was designed and buil... More
NASA Fleet Aircraft, Dryden history gallery
E-1239 A group picture of Douglas Airplanes, taken for a photographic promotion in 1954, at what is now known as the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The photo includes the X... More
NASA X-4, Dryden history gallery
E-17349The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight photograph flying near an approaching cloud bank. The two large ''X''s seen connected by a line painted o... More
Dryden F-8 Research Aircraft Fleet 1973 in flight, DFBW and SCW
F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire (left) and F-8 Supercritical Wing in flight. These two aircraft fundamentally changed the nature of aircraft design. The F-8 DFBW pioneered digital flight controls and led to such comput... More
NASA Research Aircraft - D-558-II, D-558-I, X-5, X-1, XF-92A, X-4
NACA High Speed Flight Station at Edwards AFB South Base. Aircraft are (left to right): D-558-2, D-558-1, X-5, X-1, XF-92A, and X-4. This is an early 1950s color photo of NACA research aircraft in front of the ... More
NASA X-1A, Dryden history gallery
E-1764 The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1A 48-1384 is photographed in 1955 sitting on the Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards, California. This view of the right side of the aircraft shows a middle section that contra... More
NASA D-558-2 Skyrocket, Dryden history gallery
E-3996 This 1950s photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 and the North American F-86 Sabre chase aircraft in-flight. Both aircraft display early examples of sweptwing airfoils. 1950s NASA Photo / NASA photo (copy... More
YRF-84F aircraft on ramp. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This mid-1950s photo shows the YRF-84F on the NACA ramp. The YRF-84F was a prototype of a photo reconnaissance aircraft. It was fitted with a new nose and swept wings from earlier versions of the F-84. A YRF-84... More
D-558-2 being mounted to P2B-1S launch aircraft
This 1953 NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 #2 Skyrocket (NACA 144), prior to flight, being towed under the P2B-1S launch vehicle (NACA 137) for attachment. The photog... More
NASA X-5, Dryden history gallery
E-960 In the center foreground of this 1953 hanger photo is the YF-84A NACA 134/Air Force 45-59490 used for vortex generator research. It arrived on November 28, 1949, and departed on April 21, 1954. Beside it ... More
NASA X-4, Dryden history gallery
E-17350The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight close-up photograph. The two large ''X''s seen connected by a line painted on the aircraft were used as a... More
X-4, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
E-358In this 1950 straight-on view of the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station's X-4 research aircraft, the horizontal tailless design is quite evident. The X-4 Bantam, a single-place, low swept-wing, semi-t... More
NASA X-5, Dryden history gallery
E-810 This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph, a multiple exposure, illustrates the X-5's variably swept wing cap... More
NASA Aircraft Fleet 1950s, Dryden history gallery
E-1239A group picture of Douglas Airplanes, taken for a photographic promotion in 1954, at what is now known as the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The photo includes the X-... More
X-5 on Ramp - Side View. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph shows the X-5 on the ramp in-front of the NACA hangar. The Bell, X-5 was ... More
X-5 on Ramp - Front View, Wings Swept
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph, on the ramp in-front of the NACA hangar, shows a frontal view of the X-5... More
NASA X-5, Dryden history gallery
EC-17351 This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at Edwards Air Force Base in the mid 1950s. The photograph shows the aircraft in flight with the wings swept back. 1957 NASA... More
KC-135 on ramp, NASA history collection
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, besides being used extensively in its primary role as an inflight aircraft refueler, has assisted in several projects at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Californ... More
NASA D-558-2 Skyrocket, Dryden history gallery
E-1013 This 1953 NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 #2 Skyrocket (NACA 144), prior to flight, being towed under the P2B-1S launch vehicle (NACA 137) for attachment. The... More
NASA X-5, Dryden history gallery
E-653 This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base in 1952. The photograph is a left side view of the aircraft on the ramp. January 19... More
X-4 in Flight, NASA history collection
The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight photograph flying near an approaching cloud bank. The two large "X"s seen connected by a line painted on the air... More
Former Dryden pilot and NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong
Famed astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 space mission in July 1969, served for seven years as a research pilot at the NACA-NASA High-Speed Flight S... More
X-15 landing on lakebed. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
The North American X-15 settles to the lakebed after a research flight from what is now the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wing... More
X-4, NASA history collection. NASA public domain image colelction.
E-359In this 1950 view of the right side of the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station's X-4 research aircraft, the low swept wing and horizontal taillest design are seen. The X-4 Bantam, a single-place, low s... More
X-4, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
E50-0401In this 1950 view of the left side of the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station's X-4 research aircraft, the low swept wing and horizontal taillest design are seen. The X-4 Bantam, a single-place, low... More
Lifting body pilots - Jerry Gentry, John Manke, Bill Dana, Cecil Powel...
Posing for this photo in front of the M2-F3 are (Left-Right) Air Force pilot Captain Jerauld Gentry, NASA pilots John Manke and William H. Dana. Kneeling is Air Force pilot Major Cecil Powell. These four pilots... More
X-5 on Ramp - Front View. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph shows a frontal view of the X-5 on the ramp in-front of the NACA hangar. ... More
NASA X-1A, Dryden history gallery
E-2490 The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1A 48-1384 returning from an Air Force test flight over Edwards Air Force Base, California in late 1953. A North American F-86A Sabre as chase plane will follow the X-1A t... More
X-5 Multiple Exposure Photo Showing Wing Sweep
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph, a multiple exposure, illustrates the X-5's variably swept wing capabilit... More
NASA January 7, 1953, Dryden history gallery
The Bell X-1A (serial no. 48-1384) arrived at Edwards Air Force Base. Following completion of contractor testing and some modifications to the airplane, it was turned over to the Air Force for speed and altitud... More
X-4 in Flight, NASA history collection
The NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station X-4 research aircraft is seen in this 1950s in-flight close-up photograph. The two large "X"s seen connected by a line painted on the aircraft were used as an aid in ... More
NASA Research Aircraft - D-558-II, D-558-I, X-5, X-1, XF-92A, X-4
NACA High Speed Flight Station at Edwards AFB South Base. Aircraft are (left to right): D-558-2, D-558-1, X-5, X-1, XF-92A, and X-4. This is an early 1950s color photo of NACA research aircraft in front of the ... More
D-558-2 on ramp. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
This 1949 NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 #1 at the South Base, Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft was turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics on 31 Aug... More
NASA D-558-1 Skystreak, Dryden history gallery
E-17347 The Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak is seen close-up in this early 1950s inflight photograph. Although less well known than the X-1, the D-558-1 could carry out research roles that complemented those of the m... More
D-558-II in Flight with F-86 chase
E-3996 The F-86F performed both pitch-up research and duties as a chase aircraft for the D-558-2. Its stay at the HSFS was brief. It arrived on June 23, 1954, and left on September 10 the same year. The F-86 ha... More
D-558-2 in flight with F-86 chase
This 1950s photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 and the North American F-86 Sabre chase aircraft in-flight. Both aircraft display early examples of sweptwing airfoils. The Douglas D-558-2 "Skyrockets" were amon... More
NASA D-558-2 Skyrocket, Dryden history gallery
E-1113 NACA pilot A. Scott Crossfield next to the D-558-2 after first Mach 2 flight. November 20, 1953 NASA Photo / Read Project Description NASA Identifier: 304971main_E-1113
X-5 Multiple Exposure Photo Showing Wing Sweep
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph, a multiple exposure, illustrates the X-5's variably swept wing capabilit... More
KC-135 on ramp, NASA history collection
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, besides being used extensively in its primary role as an inflight aircraft refueler, has assisted in several projects at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Californ... More
D-558-2 in flight with F-86 chase
Description (1950) This 1950s photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 and the North American F-86 Sabre chase aircraft in-flight. Both aircraft display early examples of sweptwing airfoils. The Douglas D-558-2 "Sk... More
X-5 on Ramp, NASA history collection
This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the X-5 was taken at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph portrays a left wing side view of the aircraft and also shows the pitot-s... More
NASA X-1B, Dryden history gallery
E-2547 The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1B, seen here on the lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, was first flown for 10 flights in a three-month period by eight Edwards Air Force pilots. After being t... More
Aircraft Fleet 1950s, NASA history collection
E-1433In 1954 this photo of two swept wing airplanes was taken on the ramp of NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station. The Douglas D-558-ll is a research aircraft while the Boeing B-47A Stratojet is a productio... More
Pegasus Mated to B-52 Mothership - Front View
NASA's B-52 launch aircraft takes off with the second Pegasus vehicle under its wing from the Dryden Flight Research Facility (now the Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California. NASA B-52, Tail Number... More
NASA D-558-2 Skyrocket, Dryden history gallery
E-1526 This 1954 photograph shows a Douglas D-558-2 under the P2B-1S (Navy designation for a B-29) launch aircraft. The P2B-1S has been lifted on mechanical jacks in the hangar for a possible âfit checkâ or the... More
NASA X-2, Dryden history gallery
E-2820 The Bell Aircraft Company X-2 (46-674) drops away from its Boeing B-50 mothership in this photo. Lt. Col. Frank ''Pete'' Everest piloted 674 on its first unpowered flight on 5 August 1954. He made the fi... More
Aircraft Fleet 1950s, NASA history collection
E-997X-3 center, and clockwise from left: X-1A, D-558-I, XF-92A, X-5, D-558-II, and X-4. August 4,1953 NASA Photo NASA Identifier: 370420main_E-997
NASA M2-F1, Dryden history gallery
EC64-404 The M2-F1 Lifting Body is seen here under tow by an unseen C-47 at the NASA Flight Research Center (later redesignated the Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California. The low-cost vehicle was ... More
NASA Aircraft Fleet 1950s, Dryden history gallery
E-998X-3 center, and clockwise from left: X-1A, D-558-I, XF-92A, X-5, D-558-II, and X-4. August 4, 1953 NASA Photo NASA Identifier: 370432main_E-998
D-558-2 launch from B-29 mothership
The D-558-2 is launched from the Navy P2B-1S in this 1950s photograph. The early Douglas and NACA flights of the D-558-2s used only the airplane's jet engine and took off from the runway. This limited the aircr... More