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The Langley Aerodrome, NASA history collection

The Langley Aerodrome, NASA history collection

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

Langley, NASA history collection, NASA history collection

Langley, NASA history collection, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, NASA history collection

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

Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, NASA history collection

Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, NASA history collection

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

Boeing F3B-1, NASA history collection

Boeing F3B-1, NASA history collection

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

Full Scale Tunnel (FST) and Seaplane Tow Channel

Full Scale Tunnel (FST) and Seaplane Tow Channel

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

XN2Y-1 in the 15-Foot Spin Tunnel

XN2Y-1 in the 15-Foot Spin Tunnel

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

Loftin Collection - Boeing Aircraft, NASA history collection

Loftin Collection - Boeing Aircraft, NASA history collection

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

Portrait of Melvin N. Gough. NASA public domain image colelction.

Portrait of Melvin N. Gough. NASA public domain image colelction.

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

Orville Wright visits Langley Laboratory

Orville Wright visits Langley Laboratory

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, NASA history collection

SPAD VII, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Sperry M-1 Messenger, NASA history collection

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. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Bee Line BR-1 Racer. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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, NASA history collection

Boeing NB-1, NASA history collection

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

Boeing PW-9, NASA history collection

Boeing PW-9, NASA history collection

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

Boeing PW-9, NASA history collection

Boeing PW-9, NASA history collection

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, 1927, NASA history collection

Langley Administrative Office, 1927, NASA history collection

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

Curtis Hawk, NASA history collection

Curtis Hawk, NASA history collection

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

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

Full Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

Full Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

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

Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. NASA public domain image colelction.

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. NASA public domain image colelction.

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

Meeting of the Main Committee of the NACA

Meeting of the Main Committee of the NACA

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 FST

Test of 4" x 20" Clark-Y airfoil model in FST

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

Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction

Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Full Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

Full Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

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

Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. NASA public domain image colelction.

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. NASA public domain image colelction.

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) model. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Doyle O-2 Oriole, NASA history collection

Doyle O-2 Oriole, NASA history collection

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

Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction

Model of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) under construction

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

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

Full-Scale Tunnel (FST), NASA history collection

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

Variable Density Tunnel, Being Used by NASA Staff

Variable Density Tunnel, Being Used by NASA Staff

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

Full Scale Wind Tunnel and Seaplane Tow Channel

Full Scale Wind Tunnel and Seaplane Tow Channel

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

Curtiss XBFC-1 (XF11C-1) Goshawk

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

Vought SU-2 Corsair, NASA history collection

Vought SU-2 Corsair, NASA history collection

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. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Franklin PS-2 (XPS-2) Glider. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Aerials - NACA buildings, NASA history collection

Aerials - NACA buildings, NASA history collection

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

Brewster Buffalo in Full Scale Wind Tunnel

Brewster Buffalo in Full Scale Wind Tunnel

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, NASA history collection

Weick W-1A, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Boeing P-26A, NASA history collection

Boeing P-26A at Langley Field for Army Navy day in 1934. NASA Identifier: L10142

General air views - NACA buildings

General air views - NACA buildings

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

Franklin PS-2 (XPS-2) Glider. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Franklin PS-2 (XPS-2) Glider. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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's engineers wearing shorts in the summer of 1930

Langley's engineers wearing shorts in the summer of 1930

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

Aircraft Engineering Conference 1934 - Full Scale Tunnel

Aircraft Engineering Conference 1934 - Full Scale Tunnel

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

W-1A, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

W-1A, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Pitcairn Autogiro, NASA history collection

Pitcairn Autogiro, NASA history collection

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

Main base chapel, Langley Air Force Base, Langley Field, Va.

Main base chapel, Langley Air Force Base, Langley Field, Va.

Picryl description: Public domain photo of vintage Virginia postcard.

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Boeing XF4B-1, NASA history collection

Boeing XF4B-1, NASA history collection

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

W-1A, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

W-1A, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Curtiss XBFC-1 (XF11C-1) Goshawk

Curtiss XBFC-1 (XF11C-1) Goshawk

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

Ford Trimotor, NASA history collection

Ford Trimotor, NASA history collection

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

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Grumman JF-1 Duck, NASA history collection

Grumman JF-1 Duck, NASA history collection

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

Martin B-10B, NASA history collection

Martin B-10B, NASA history collection

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 aircraft, NASA history collection

P-12E aircraft, NASA history collection

P-12E, a Boeing aircraft, at Langley Field on Army Navy day, 1934. NASA Identifier: L10143

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

Northrop Alpha, NASA history collection

Northrop Alpha, NASA history collection

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. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

Lockheed/Detroit XRO-1 Altair. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.

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

NACA Langley Hangar, NASA history collection

NACA Langley Hangar, NASA history collection

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

12-Foot Free-Flight Tunnel 12 foot Free Flight Tunnel

12-Foot Free-Flight Tunnel 12 foot Free Flight Tunnel

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

The Nov.5, 1928 Visit of Amelia Earhart to Langley

The Nov.5, 1928 Visit of Amelia Earhart to Langley

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

NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection

NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection

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

The Nov.5, 1928 Visit of Amelia Earhart to Langley

The Nov.5, 1928 Visit of Amelia Earhart to Langley

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

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Vannevar Bush Visits Langley, October 21, 1938

Vannevar Bush Visits Langley, October 21, 1938

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

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Langley aerial, NASA history collection

Langley aerial, NASA history collection

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

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

Two-Dimensional Low-Turbulence Tunnel

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

Servicing an A-20 bomber, Langley Field, Virginia

Servicing an A-20 bomber, Langley Field, Virginia

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, NASA history collection

Aeronca 65-C Chief, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Radial Engines: Pratt & Whitney, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Piper J-3L50 Cub, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Republic XP-47F Thunderbolt, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Brewster XSBA-1, NASA history collection

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

Lockheed YP-38 Lightning, NASA history collection

Lockheed YP-38 Lightning, NASA history collection

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

Some NACA Muroc personnel with snowman

Some NACA Muroc personnel with snowman

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

The Lockheed 12A Electra Junior

The Lockheed 12A Electra Junior

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, NASA history collection

Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Grumman XF8F-1 Bearcat, NASA history collection

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

Grumman XF8F-1 Bearcat, NASA history collection

Grumman XF8F-1 Bearcat, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Bell YP-39 Airacobra, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

North American SNJ-3C, NASA history collection

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, NASA history collection

Curtiss XP-42, NASA history collection

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

Lockheed YP-38 Lightning, NASA history collection

Lockheed YP-38 Lightning, NASA history collection

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

The Lockheed 12A Electra Junior

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

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, NASA history collection

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, NASA history collection

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt: This Republic P-47D Thunderbolt was equipped by the NACA with a survey rake to measure propeller thrust in-flight. This rake protruded from either side of the nose just behind the en... More

Grumman JRF-5 Goose, NASA history collection

Grumman JRF-5 Goose, NASA history collection

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: L46931

Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat, NASA history collection

Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat, NASA history collection

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

Douglas B-18 Bolo, NASA history collection

Douglas B-18 Bolo, NASA history collection

Douglas B-18 Bolo: In the spring of 1941 Langley installed an experimental low-drag laminar flow test panel on the wing of a Douglas B-18 bomber. Here, November 1941, the same B-18 was used to test an airfoil (... More

Grumman JRF-5 Goose, NASA history collection

Grumman JRF-5 Goose, NASA history collection

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 HNS-1 (YR-4B) Hoverfly Helicopter

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

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