Ex USAF 57-1303

This Dragon Lady made its first flight on 1 May'81 and was delivered as TR-1A to NASA on 11 May'81. The TR-1A was handed over to NASA Ames at Moffet Field (CA) as N706NA on 10 Jun'81 and redesignated ER-2. It flew from Ames up to May'96. After a re-engine and modification period, with specific ("S") research systems, the ER-2 was redesignated into ER-2S. The original serial 80-1063 remained on the aircraft. The ER-2S was delivered to Dryden FRC on 3 Nov'97 and reregistered N806NA. It continued flying from DFRC up to Mar'04 when it went into flyable storage. Currently operating out of Palmdale

The first dual seat F-18 seen here at the flightline of Dryden FRC. The Hornet, originally built by McDonnell Douglas as YF-18B-2 (ordered by the US Navy in FY76) was first seen, fresh from the production line, in late 1979 and del;ivered on 5 Jan'80. The US Navy designated it TF-18A. The Hornet was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center at Pax River as T1 and modex 150. It was recoded 7T-150 and transferred to the NASA on 24 Jul'86. It was used as a system research aircraft (SRA) and became a dedicated SRA with multiple modifications from Oct'91. It is reported stored from Jun'86 at Armstrong.

This Talon (USAF serial 65-10353) served NASA Johnsen from 10 February 1966 up to 28 September 1972. It became N967NA with NASA Johnson Space Center on 12 October 1994. It was later modified to T-38N.

First taking to the air in June of 1955, this B-52 began its illustrious, nearly 50-year USAF and NASA career as a bomb navigation system test airplane for the USAF's B-52 fleet. Ironically, test bomber spent most of its career dropping flight research vehicles rather than bombs. In 1959, it became one of two mothership launch aircraft for the X-15 program, which paved the way for America's early manned spaceflight efforts. Nicknamed "Double-0-Eight" and "Balls Eight" cut its teeth launching 106 of the 199 X-15 flights. At its retirement on 17 December 2004, Balls 8 was the oldest active B-52.

Ex Luftwaffe RF-104G 24+64. This Starfighter arrived at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center on 2 July 1975 and remained in service up to October 1993. It is now preserved at Edwards.

This early manufactured F/A-18A (Block 4) was delivered to the US Navy with BuNo 161214 on 8 August 1980. The aircraft served Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 4 and then VFA-125 from October 1982. It was converted to F/A-18A(R) and was assigned to the NATC from October 1985. The Hornet was transferred to the NASA on 28 August 1987 and became 161214 with code NASA 842 (as pictured). Later it was (unconfirmed) reported as N817NA with code NASA 842. It was stored at Edwards in May 1995 and was cannibalized. Since 13 February 1997 preserved with the Jethawks Stadium at Lancaster (CA).

The PIK-20E was a sailplane flown at NASA's Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility (now Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California) between 1981 and 1991. The vehicle, was used as a research vehicle on projects calling for high lift-over-drag and low-speed performance. Later NASA used the PIK-20E to study the flow of fluids over the aircraft's surface at various speeds and angles of attack as part of a study of airflow efficiency over lifting surfaces.

Previously I-DIWK, N801BN, N717NA and N436NA.

Used for a variety of projects until cut in two lengthwise and installed in a wing tunnel. Scrapped in 1984. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Acquired by NASA in 1979 and served until 2017. Now with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics as N929JG. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Ex 56-6682