Test pilots Bruce Peterson, Milt Thompson, Don Mallick and Chuck Yeager in the cockpit of the M2-F1.
The NASA M2-F1 was a lightweight, unpowered prototype aircraft, developed to flight-test the wingless lifting body concept. Its unusual appearance earned it the nickname “flying bathtub” and was designated the M2-F1, the “M” referring to “manned”, and “F” referring to “flight” version. In 1962, NASA Dryden management approved a program to build a lightweight, unpowered lifting-body prototype. It featured a plywood shell placed over a tubular steel frame crafted at Dryden.
NASA research pilot John A. Manke is seen here in front of the M2-F3 lifting body.
NASA’s Gulfstream III and Gulfstream V fly over downtown Houston on Aug. 28, 2018.
Bill Dana, NASA research pilot, stands with the hypersonic X-15.
Space Shuttle Endeavour over Houston downtown, on its final ferry flight to Los Angeles.