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
Modification of entrance cone of the Full-Scale Tunnel (FST). To the left are the FST guide vanes which Smith DeFrance described in NACA TR No. 459: "The air is turned at the four corners of each return passage More
The Vultee V-1A ten passenger transport of 1934. The aircraft was all metal, with stressed-skin construction and was equipped with an NACA cowling, variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear. The V-1 More
View of the 30 x 60 Full Scale Tunnel's huge (434 by 222 feet, and 90 feet high) exterior from the Little Back River in October 1930. NASA Identifier: L4933
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Bellanca "Skyrocket" was a popular aircraft of the 1920's and 1930's, and was used in many record breaking long distance and endurance flights. One outstanding flight was made in 1931 by Russell Boardman an More
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
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
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
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
Smoke generator for 7 x 10-Foot Atmospheric Wind Tunnel (AWT) (left center); Force Test Set-Up in the center. In 1928, the NACA decided to replace its original Atmospheric Wind Tunnel (AWT #1) with two tunnels- 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
Aerial view of the NACA large wind tunnels, tank and hanger. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75th Anniversary NASA publication, by James Schultz. NASA Identifier: L9203
24-Inch High Speed Tunnel (24-Inch HST): Construction of the foundation for the tunnel. Construction was authorized in 1933 and was built using funds from the Federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The init 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 NACA Langley hangar, circa 1933. Photograph published in Winds of Change, 75th Anniversary NASA publication, (page 42-43), by James Schultz. NASA Identifier: L8288
Constructing the forms for the foundation of the 15-Foot Spin Tunnel. Charles Zimmerman was given the assignment to design and build a larger spin tunnel that would supplant the 5-foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Aut 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
Boeing F4B-4 Marine fighter at Army-Navy day, 1934. NASA Identifier: L10141
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
Fred E. Weick: Formal portrait of Fred E. Weick, head of the Propeller Research Tunnel section, 1925-1929. NASA Identifier: L12508
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
24-Inch High Speed Tunnel (24-Inch HST). Foundation for the tunnel. Construction was authorized in 1933 and was built using funds from the Federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The initial cost was $12,600 More
Northrop A-17A Nomad: In the spring of 1939, the NACA tested an experimental cowling and cooling system on Northrop's A-17A. Various types and combinations were tried, but the NACA cowl first used seemed to wor 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
Seversky P-35: The Seversky P-35 fighter was somewhat under-armed for a fighter of the late 1930's, as it carried only a 0.30 caliber and a 0.50 caliber machine gun. The P-35 arrived for NACA use in April 1939. 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
A civil version of the Grumman FF-1 navy fighter is shown in this photograph. This particular aircraft was used by the Grumman company as an executive transport. The occasion for this photograph was probably an More
FIRE ENGINE APPARATUS NASA Identifier: C-1943-2491 Public domain photograph of World War Two period military equipment, vehicle, 1940s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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
B-26 AIRPLANE ON THE HANGAR APRON NASA Identifier: C-1946-14436
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
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 31.0 Wing span, feet 28.0 Horizontal tail 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
YA-31 AIRPLANE NASA Identifier: C-1945-8914 Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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
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
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
Republic P-47N Thunderbolt: Republic Aviation's P-47N was the version of the Thunderbolt built for use in the Pacific. Without a series of bases to leapfrog from, range was a high priority on this model. This e 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
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
TWO DIMENSIONAL RAM JET SUPPORTED BELOW P-61 AIRPLANE NASA Identifier: C-1946-17161
B-29 VIEWS NASA Identifier: C-1944-5494 Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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
P-61 AIRPLANE NASA Identifier: C-1946-14494 Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description