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
A LMAL carpenter prepares full scale wings for flight research, 1920. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75th Anniversary NASA publication (page 36), by James Schultz. Published in Engineer in Charge, NAS More
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
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)'s first wind tunnel,Located at Langley Field in Hampton,VA,was an open-circuit wind tunnel completed in 1920. Essentially a replica of the ten-year-old tun More
Installing the U.S.A. 35B airfoil test section for testing in the Variable-Density Tunnel(VDT). The VDT Log Book entry for January 3, 1925 notes that this airfoil was installed "for a test with the new big stre More
Fire gutted interior of Variable-Density Tunnel (VDT). On August 1, 1927 a major fire broke out inside the VDT. Clean-up, repair, redesign and reinstallation of equipment took about 8 months. From the Variable More
Model of Sperry Messenger (U.S.A. 5 airfoil) being tested inside the Variable-Density Tunnel (VDT). The tests were run in early January 1925. Testing was suspended on January 15th "until model and airplane coul More
Equipment used for pressurizing the Variable-Density Tunnel (VDT): The VDT tunnel is on the right; the compressors are on the left. Figure 4 in the NACA Technical Report 227 (Part 2) identifies each piece of eq More
Sperry M-1 Messenger: The Sperry M-1 Messenger mounted for testing in the Propeller Research Tunnel, 1927. NASA Identifier: L2067
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
View of the interior of the exit cone of the Variable-Density Tunnel (VDT) during its brief period of operation as an open throat design. After the fire, the VDT section engineers decided to convert the tunnel More
In aviation's youth, instrument panels and controls were models of simplicity - at least compared with those of modern aircraft. The cockpit illustrated is a Fairchild FC-2W2 from 1928. Photograph published in More
Tunnel interior views of USS Los Angeles Airship. US Navy airship in flight. Tunnel installation set-up. The device mounted at the tower's apex made a turning radius measurement of the Navy Dirigible U.S.S. Los More
Standing on the PRT balance are five of the six men who comprised the majority of the PRT engineering staff in 1928. From left to right: Fred Weick, Ray Windler, William H. Herrnstein, Jr., John L. Crigler, and More
This diagram, based on a LMAL drawing from 1928, illustrates the Lab's plan for correcting the turbulent airflow that had plagued the original Variable Density Tunnel. Notice in particular the change from open- 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
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
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
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
Schematic diagram of Variable-Density Tunnel (VDT) - open throat design. Eastman Jacobs and Ira Abbott note in NACA TR 416 (p. 305) that a serious fire destroyed the tunnel (not the steel shell) in August 1927. 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
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
Vought O3U-1 "Corsair" in Full-Scale Tunnel (FST). This photograph was taken in September 1931 after the balance had been enclosed. This aircraft was also used earlier during the summer for preliminary tests in More
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
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
Construction of pontoon hull model to be tested in Tow Tank No. 1. This is a 1/6 full size model of the hull of a Navy PH-1 flying boat. Two typical tests were conducted and included in the first report describ More
Force Test set-up in 7 x 10-Foot Atmospheric Wind Tunnel (AWT). In 1928, the NACA decided to replace its original Atmospheric Wind Tunnel (AWT #1) with two tunnels--the 5-foot vertical tunnel and a 7 by 10 foot More
Engineer is shown adjusting a test model of the Clark-Y airfoil #1 in 7 x 10-Foot Atmospheric Wind Tunnel (AWT). In 1928, the NACA decided to replace its original Atmospheric Wind Tunnel (AWT #1) with two tunne More
Loening XSL-1: One of the first tests in the 30 x 60 Full Scale Tunnel was a performance evaluation of the Loening XSL-1 single engine seaplane, October 1931. The Loeining was designed as a collapsible scout fo More
Wing and nacelle set-up in Full-Scale Tunnel (FST). The NACA conducted drag tests in 1931 on a P3M-1 nacelle which were presented in a special report to the Navy. Smith DeFrance described this work in the repor More
Control panel below the test section of the 8-Foot High Speed Tunnel (8-Foot HST). Authorized July 17, 1933, construction of the 8-Foot HST was paid for with funds from the Federal Public Works Administration. More
The researcher is sitting above the exit cone of the 5-foot Vertical Wind Tunnel and is examining the new 6-component spinning balance. This balance was developed between 1930 and 1933. It was an important adva More
The Boeing P-26A fighter mounted in the 30 x 60 Full Scale Tunnel in 1934. Nicknamed the "Peashooter," it was the first Army fighter to be constructed entirely of metal and to employ the low-wing monoplane conf More
A 1/40th scale model of the navy airship U.S.S. Akron being prepared for aerodynamic testing on a ground board at zero degrees of yaw in the Full Scale Tunnel in 1935. NASA Identifier: L11344
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
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
Curtiss XSO3C-1 Seagull: Although drag reduction was very important to radial engined aircraft, it was no less important to aircraft such as this inline Ranger powered Curtiss XSO3C-1 Seagull. Here the Seagull 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
6-Inch open throat wind tunnel design for the 19-Foot Pressure Tunnel (model constructed in 1936, photograph taken in 1940). NASA Identifier: L19306
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
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
FLIGHT TESTING CREW AT TIME OF INITIAL FLIGHT WITH B-26 IN BACKGROUND NASA Identifier: C-1943-1331
TEST RIG FOR FLIGHT RESEARCH A-31 AIRPLANE WITH PORTABLE BLOWER NASA Identifier: C-1944-7778
MODEL IN WIND TUNNEL C-4825 IS CS-57535 NASA Identifier: C-1944-4825
PHOTOGRAPHED BY FLIGHT RESEARCH DIVISION FROM HANGAR NASA Identifier: C-1945-11388
PHOTOGRAPHED BY FLIGHT RESEARCH DIVISION FROM HANGAR NASA Identifier: C-1945-11397
AVIATION MEET NASA Identifier: C-1945-10600 Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Project engineer Sidney Alexander adjusts typical RM-2 model in its special launcher at Wallops Island, October 1945. Joseph Shortal has described this project as follows: "The difficulties associated with cons More
Boeing B-29 long range bomber model was tested for ditching characteristics in the Langley tank no. 2 early in 1946. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. More
ARMY P-80 AIRPLANE PHOTOGRAPHED DURING THE NATIONAL AIR RACES NASA Identifier: C-1946-15737
Langley's human computers at work in 1947. The female presence at Langley, who performed mathematical computations for male staff. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75th Anniversary NASA publication (pag More
CHARTS USED IN THE FIRST ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CLEVELAND AIRCRAFT ENGINE RESEARCH LABORATORY AERL FOR INDUSTRY AND ARMY AND NAVY NASA Identifier: C-1947-19821
Technician William Ferguson adjusts coupling on typical NACA D4 automatic control research missile with double Deacon booster, August 18, 1950. Joseph Shortal noted that a new research authorization (RA 1525) w More
Vought XF7U-1 Cutlass: This is the first Vought Cutlass, the XF7U-1. This tailless fighter, powered by two Westinghouse J34 turbojets, arrived at Langley in December 1948. Aircraft number NAVY 122472. Wing deta More
Sperry Model 10 Velocimeter, Doppler radar at Wallops Island with trackers P.R. Mears and J. Quillen. Metallic ears pointed to the heavens, this radio tracking device kept tabs on Wallops rocket firings. Joseph More
The women of the Computer Department at NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station are shown busy with test flight calculations. The computers under the direction of Roxanah Yancey were responsible for accurate ca More
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 found More
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
This 1949 photograph shows a Douglas D-558-2 undergoing pre-flight operations on Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base. Note the small inlet on the left side used for the turbo-jet engine in this aircraf More
In this NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph taken in 1949, the Douglas D-558-1 is on the ramp at South Base, Edwards Air Force Base. Three members of the ground crew are seen poising against the left wing of More
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
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
PYTHON ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE ALTITUDE WIND TUNNEL AWT TEST SECTION NASA Identifier: C-1949-23960
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
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
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
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
This photo shows the X-15 flight simulator located at the NASA Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, in the 1960s. One of the major advances in aircraft development, pilot training, mission planning, and More
Attitude control simulator for X-15 studies at Langley, 1958. Photograph published in Engineer in Charge: A History of the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, 1917-1958 by James R. Hansen (page 367). NASA Identifi More
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
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
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
The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1E loaded into the Boeing B-29 in NACA High Speed Flight Station service area. The B-29 would carry the X-1E to an altitude of approximately 25,000 feet. If all systems were `go' More