M2-F3_v_bw_o_n (71-H-525)
“NASA FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER, EDWARDS, CALIF…Three chase planes fly over the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s M-2 lifting body in salute following a rocket powered flight in the experimental craft. The M-2 is one of the several wingless lifting bodies being flight tested to aid in the development of the proposed space shuttlecraft that will be used to transport men and material to and from orbiting space stations. The M-2 is air launched from a mother ship flying at 45,000 feet and uses a rocket engine to climb to the high speeds and altitudes. As planned for the shuttle, the M-2 then maneuvers back under pilot control to a horizontal ground landing, much like conventional jet aircraft of today.”
If the date on the verso is correct, this is either the scene after the first powered flight on November25, 1970, piloted by Bill Dana; the second powered flight on February 9, 1971, piloted by Jerry Gentry, or the third, on February 26, 1971, again piloted by Bill Dana.
Having no idea what prompted a flyover salute…like after every successful flight? After a first/last flight? Fastest? Highest? And in the case of B-52 lofted/released flights, is the absence of the carrier aircraft here a ‘lesser’ salute, that is, it met none of the above criteria. As probably/possibly being a USAF “customs & courtesies” thing, I’d expect there to be standard applied. But then again, it’s the USAF, and they may’ve just been ‘winging’ it. Just kidding airpersons…just kidding.
I think the chase planes are a T-38 & two F-104’s.
After the final M2-F3 flight...a B-52 only salute:
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum40/HTML/000889.html
Credit: Ed Hengeveld/collectSPACE website
Right stuff...thank you Mr. Dana:
www.collectspace.com/news/news-050714a-obituary-bill-dana...
Credit: collectSPACE website
A fuller frame at:
area51specialprojects.com/nasa/m2f3-06.jpg
Credit: TD Barnes/”SECRET HEROES” website
Also at:
flexpub.com/epubs/pg57421-images/OEBPS/@public@vhost@g@gu...
Credit: FLEXPUB website
An interesting & astute observation by the proprietor of the Astronautix website:
"The final X-30 National Aerospace Plane configuration seemed to owe much to the M2."
At:
www.astronautix.com/m/m2-f3.html
Excellent, although sadly I'm sure no longer maintained:
aletro.org/learning_project_files/LBBOOK_updated_contacts...
Credit: Aerospace Legacy Engineering & Technology Recovery Organization (ALETRO) website
M2-F3_v_bw_o_n (71-H-525)
“NASA FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER, EDWARDS, CALIF…Three chase planes fly over the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s M-2 lifting body in salute following a rocket powered flight in the experimental craft. The M-2 is one of the several wingless lifting bodies being flight tested to aid in the development of the proposed space shuttlecraft that will be used to transport men and material to and from orbiting space stations. The M-2 is air launched from a mother ship flying at 45,000 feet and uses a rocket engine to climb to the high speeds and altitudes. As planned for the shuttle, the M-2 then maneuvers back under pilot control to a horizontal ground landing, much like conventional jet aircraft of today.”
If the date on the verso is correct, this is either the scene after the first powered flight on November25, 1970, piloted by Bill Dana; the second powered flight on February 9, 1971, piloted by Jerry Gentry, or the third, on February 26, 1971, again piloted by Bill Dana.
Having no idea what prompted a flyover salute…like after every successful flight? After a first/last flight? Fastest? Highest? And in the case of B-52 lofted/released flights, is the absence of the carrier aircraft here a ‘lesser’ salute, that is, it met none of the above criteria. As probably/possibly being a USAF “customs & courtesies” thing, I’d expect there to be standard applied. But then again, it’s the USAF, and they may’ve just been ‘winging’ it. Just kidding airpersons…just kidding.
I think the chase planes are a T-38 & two F-104’s.
After the final M2-F3 flight...a B-52 only salute:
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum40/HTML/000889.html
Credit: Ed Hengeveld/collectSPACE website
Right stuff...thank you Mr. Dana:
www.collectspace.com/news/news-050714a-obituary-bill-dana...
Credit: collectSPACE website
A fuller frame at:
area51specialprojects.com/nasa/m2f3-06.jpg
Credit: TD Barnes/”SECRET HEROES” website
Also at:
flexpub.com/epubs/pg57421-images/OEBPS/@public@vhost@g@gu...
Credit: FLEXPUB website
An interesting & astute observation by the proprietor of the Astronautix website:
"The final X-30 National Aerospace Plane configuration seemed to owe much to the M2."
At:
www.astronautix.com/m/m2-f3.html
Excellent, although sadly I'm sure no longer maintained:
aletro.org/learning_project_files/LBBOOK_updated_contacts...
Credit: Aerospace Legacy Engineering & Technology Recovery Organization (ALETRO) website