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

Ex 152881

Reregistered N5NA in September 1976 before being disposed of in 1978. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Sold as N145GT in 1981. In NASA service used for ice ridge experiments. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Testbed for engine inlets and nozzles. Later reregistered N816NA. Withdrawn from use in 1991 and displayed at the Virginia Air and Space Center as N816NA. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Ex 62-5924

"NASA 436" HC-130H on short final after a long flight from Wallops Flight Facility

KC-135A N931NA (ex 63-7998), the fifth and final 'Weightless Wonder', at Pima, 1st December 2022. Credited with 34,757 parabolas and inducing 285 gallons of vomit, according to NASA records ... !