"NASA 817 Heavy" returning to base after another day of flying. Boeing had their T-38 chase plane up with them, presumably getting some photos.

"NASA 817 Heavy" getting ready to depart a few moments after BOE202. This 54 year old DC-8 is still going strong as part of NASA's Airborne Science Program. It will fly right behind the MAX 10 to measure emissions as well as contrail formation from the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

Previously I-DIWK, N801BN, N717NA and N436NA.

NASA817 takes to the skies over Palmdale for a crew training flight.

Coming off runway 25, NASA 817 works the tower pattern with left closed traffic

I have recently found out the ID of this DC-3 which was unmarked thanks to a request on Air-Britain Information Exchange, Ordered by the USAAF as 42-92482 but delivered to the US Navy as R4D-5 17136 in 1944. To NASA as NASA 017 in 1963, NASA 817 in 1965 and N817NA in 1969. It was sold in 1978 and was being refurbished by Hamiltion Aviation at Tucson for Omega as XA-ROM when this photo was taken. It was withdrawn from use at Guadalajara in 2001. The fuselage was later moved to Atizapán.

Deperting ANC early on a damp morning.

The arrival of the NASA DC-8 in Germany, attracted a lot of photographers to the forest around the airbase. The DC-8 arrived a little earlier then excpected, which resulted in pictures taken at dusk.

This DC-8 was originally delivered to Alitalia as I-DIWK in May 1969. It also flew for a while with Braniff before joining NASA in July 1986. At the time of upload the frame is still current with the agency.

Ex USAAF C-47A 42-92482, USN 17136. NASA later used the same registration on another C-47 (c/n 26787).

Photographer: Charles E Stewart. Previous IDs: USAAF C-47A 43-49526. Second use of this registration on a C-47 by the NASA.

Photographer: Peter Mancus. NASA later used the same registration on another C-47 (c/n 26787).