Loftin Collection: Vought F4U-4B "Corsair" Navy fighter
The Vought F4U-4B "Corsair" Navy fighter. See also figures 3 and 17 of volume 4. This photograph is dated 7/18/51. The Vought F4U-4B was usually seen in a combat role, but as the NACA tail band suggests, this C... 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
REVERSE THRUST DEVICE INSTALLATION ON F-84 AIRPLANE
REVERSE THRUST DEVICE INSTALLATION ON F-84 AIRPLANE NASA Identifier: C-1954-36132
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-15 Studies at Langley, 1958. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
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
X-15 2 on lakebed after engine failure forced pilot Jack McKay to make...
On 9 November 1962, an engine failure forced Jack McKay, a NASA research pilot, to make an emergency landing at Mud Lake, Nevada, in the second X-15 (56-6671); its landing gear collapsed and the X-15 flipped ov... More
X-1E Loaded in B-29 Mothership on Ramp
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
X-3 on Ramp, NASA history collection
In this NACA High-Speed Flight Station photograph the X-3 Stiletto is viewed from above and looking at the left side. The X-3 Stiletto was a single-place jet aircraft with a slender fuselage and a long tapered ... More
NASA XF-92A, Dryden history gallery
E-17346 This NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the XF-92A was taken around 1953 near Edwards Air Force Base. The photograph shows an aft view of the XF-92A in flight above a layer of clouds.... More
NASA X-1E, Dryden history gallery
E-2392 The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-1E during a ground engine test run on the NACA High-Speed Flight Station ramp near the Rogers Dry Lake. The rocket technician is keeping the concrete cool by hosing it wit... More
F-89 AIRPLANE IN HANGAR SHOWING NACA ICING RATE METER INSTALLATION ON ...
F-89 AIRPLANE IN HANGAR SHOWING NACA ICING RATE METER INSTALLATION ON NOSE LEFT SIDE OF AIRPLANE NASA Identifier: C-1955-40159
F-105B on lakebed, NASA history collection
Side view of a F-105B (serial #54-0102) photographed on Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, California in 1959. The black stripes across the left wheel-panel complete the lettering on the bottom of th... More
X-15 AIRCRAFT MATED TO LAUNCH PLANE - FRONT VIEW
X-15 AIRCRAFT MATED TO LAUNCH PLANE - FRONT VIEW NASA Identifier: C-1959-49858
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 2 on lakebed after a hard landing by pilot Scott Crossfield
A series of ground and in-flight accidents occurred during the X-15's contractor program, fortunately without injuries or even greatly delaying the program. On 5 November 1959 a small engine fire -- always extr... 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 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
X-15 launch from B-52 mothership
This photo illustrates how the X-15 rocket-powered aircraft was taken aloft under the wing of a B-52. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000 ft and a spe... 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 B-47A Stratojet, Dryden history gallery
E-1044 Boeing B-47A, NACA 150 shown on the ramp near NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station at South Base of Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 1953. The B-47A Stratojet's wing is mounted high on the fuse... More
F-89 AIRPLANE ON HANGAR APRON. Public domain image, NASA.
F-89 AIRPLANE ON HANGAR APRON NASA Identifier: C-1955-40377
C-82 AIRPLANE WITH JET REVERSE THRUST INSTALLATION AND DATA GAUGES
C-82 AIRPLANE WITH JET REVERSE THRUST INSTALLATION AND DATA GAUGES NASA Identifier: C-1954-37036
X-3, NASA history collection. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
E-17348 This in-flight NACA High-Speed Flight Station photograph of the X-3 Stiletto illustrates the aircraft's long slender fuselage and the small wings. The X-3 Stiletto was a single-place jet-powered researc... More
X-1B on Lakebed, NASA history collection
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 turned o... More
X-15 IN FLIGHT CHECKOUT ON B-52 AIRPLANE
X-15 IN FLIGHT CHECKOUT ON B-52 AIRPLANE NASA Identifier: C-1959-50188
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
F-5-C RAM JET MISSILE AND COMPONENT PARTS
F-5-C RAM JET MISSILE AND COMPONENT PARTS NASA Identifier: C-1953-32872
USAF 70th Birthday: 1947 to 1960 (poster 1 of 8)
Promotional poster at AIRMAN Magazine for the 70th birthday of the US Air Force. Features two P-51 Mustangs flying through the clouds, the theme “Breaking Barriers” and the 70th birthday logo. This was used acr... 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 (Navy designation for the Air Force B-29) launch veh... More
B-47A on ramp, NASA history collection
Boeing B-47A (NACA 150) shown on the ramp near NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station at South Base of Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 1953. The B-47A Stratojet's wing is mounted high on the fuselage wi... More
X-1B on Lakebed, NASA history collection
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 High-Sp... More
North American B-45A Tornado. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
North American B-45A Tornado: The North American B-45A Tornado was America's first four-jet powered bomber. Powered by General Electric J35 turbojets, the aircraft's performance was not as high as was expected.... 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
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
X-1B on Lakebed, NASA history collection
One of three second generation X-1 aircraft built by Bell Aircraft Corporation is seen here parked on Rogers Dry Lake. The Bell X-1B, along with its sister ship's, the X-1A and X-1D, had better propulsion syste... More