After Hours

Photos: A retrospective of NASA experimental planes

By // November 10, 2010, 4:08 AM PST

Image 1 of 31

  • The Vigilante

    These are just some of the experimental planes tested by the military from the early 40's to present day. Some of the model's were used as the precursor to todays spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. Because these were experimental aircraft they also had the potential for danger. We should all feel proud that these exceptional pilots also possessed extraordinary bravery.

    All of the images in this gallery came from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

    The vigilante was used to simulate supersonic transport and sonic boom research.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • F-18 Hornet

    The F-18 Hornet is a mission support aircraft.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • Ikhana

    The Ikhana ia a high altitude unmanned aircraft.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • P-3d Orion

    The P-3D Orion was used to test the tiles to be used on the space shuttle.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • P-38 Lightning

    The P-38 Lightning was a World War II fighter.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • F-15 Eagle

    The F-15 Eagle is a fighter jet currently in use.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • F-15 Eagle

    The F-15 Eagle in the first jet to perform supersonic vectoring flight.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Daedalus Light Eagle

    The Daedalus Light Eagle is a human powered aircraft developed by MIT that flew 59km. A recored that still stands.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Navy E-2c Hawkeye

    The Navy E-2c Hawkeye is an early warning aircraft.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The F-101A Voodoo

    The F-101A Voodoo was a single seat fighter in 1956.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • P-51 Mustang

    The P-51 Mustang was a fighter plane that was retired in 1959 after a taxiing mishap.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The PA-30 Twin Comanche

    The PA-30 Twin Comanche was a remotely piloted research vehicle from 1980.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Pegasus

    The Pegasus was an air-launched space booster from 1989 to 1994.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Perseus

    The Perseus was an Environmental Research Aircraft in 1993 and 1994 and again in 1998.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Theseus

    The Theseus is a Remotely Powered Vehicle(RPM) from 1996 to present day.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Centurion

    The Centurion was a high altitude solar powered aircraft. (1997)

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The F-14 Tomcat

    The F-14 Tomcat was used for high angle of attack and spin control tests.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The F-100 Super Sabre

    The F-100 Super Sabre was part of NACA's program to test the new "century series" of aircraft. (1954-1956).

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The F-111 Aardvaark

    The F-111 Aardvaark was part of the joint NASA and Air Force program called the Advanced Fighter Technology Integration. (AFTI).

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Pregnant Guppy

    The Pregnant Guppy was used to ferry outsize components for the International Space Station.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Kingair

    The Kingair's primary use is as a support vehicle.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Altair

    The Altair is used presently to perform high altitude science missions.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Altus 1

    The Altus 1 is a high altitude science aircraft. (1996-1997).

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Apex

    The Apex is a craft designed to test subsonic flight at near 100,000 feet.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Apex

    The Apex wing section undergoing loading test.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The B-57B

    The B-57B was used for atmospheric research in 1982.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The Bell 47 Helicopter

    The Bell 47 Helicopter was used for training on the Lunar Lander Research Vehicle in the early 60's to 1985.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The B-29 Superfortress

    The B-29 Superfortress dubbed the "Fertile Myrtle" was used to airdrop the D-558-2 "Skyrockets."

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The B-52 Stratofortress

    The B-52 Stratofortress aircraft is used as an air launch and testbed aircraft.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The B-47A Stratojet

    The B-47A Stratojet used a drag chute to help brake the airplanes speed. (1953-1957).

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

  • The C-17 Globemaster III

    The C-17 Globemaster III is used in an evvort to enhance aircraft safety.

    NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

The Vigilante

These are just some of the experimental planes tested by the military from the early 40's to present day. Some of the model's were used as the precursor to todays spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. Because these were experimental aircraft they also had the potential for danger. We should all feel proud that these exceptional pilots also possessed extraordinary bravery.

All of the images in this gallery came from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

The vigilante was used to simulate supersonic transport and sonic boom research.

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

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