First flight as C-130B in '58 as USAF 58-0712. Converted to C-130C. Moved to Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center with inventory code CF0001 on 1 Jans'68, but went in that same year to NASA Johnson as 929, modified to NC-130B. Registered as N929NA in Sep'69 and was used for the NASA Earth Survey 2 mission up to '79. Became NASA 707 and was transferred to Dryden Flight Research Center, but based at NASA Ames at NAS Moffett Field (CA). Became N707NA in Feb'82. By 2000, it was moved to Boulder and withdrawn from use at Jeffco City (CO). To AMARG on 4 Nov'00, N707NA canx on 20 Feb'13.

Photographer: Richard Sullivan.

Former NASA Ames Research Center aircraft in the Aircraft Restoration and Marketing yard.

In the early 1970s Lockheed's L-300 demonstrator was converted into NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory, and fitted with a 36-inch infrared telescope between the cockpit and wing. A cover retracted when in use. It was able to get above most of the atmospheric water vapour that affected terrestrial optical telescopes. Ex Lockheed demonstrator N4141A, N714NA retired in 1995 and has been preserved at Moffett Field. It was replaced by a Boeing 747SP.

Taken at the NASA Ames Research Center, with test pilot Ron Gerdes in the cockpit. Ex USAF 56-6941.