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The Northrop M2-F3 was a heavyweight lifting body rebuilt from the Northrop M2-F2 after it crashed at the Dryden Flight Research Center in 1967. The "M" refers to "manned" and "F" refers to "flight" version.
Early flight testing of the M2-F1 and M2-F2 lifting body re-entry configurations had validated the concept of piloted lifting body re-entry from space. When the M2-F2 crashed on 10 May 1967, valuable information had already been obtained and was contributing to new designs.
NASA pilots said the M2-F2 had lateral control problems, so when it was rebuilt at Northrop and redesignated the M2-F3, it was modified with an additional third vertical fin - centred between the tip fins - to improve control characteristics.
After a three-year-long redesign and rebuilding effort, the 2.3-tonne (empty) M2-F3 was ready to fly. The May 1967 crash had torn off the left fin and landing gear. It had also damaged the external skin and internal structure. Flight Research Center engineers worked with Ames Research Center and the Air Force in redesigning the vehicle with a centre fin to provide greater stability. At first, it seemed that the vehicle had been irreparably damaged, but the original manufacturer, Northrop, did the repair work and returned the redesigned M2-F3 with a centre fin for stability to the FRC.
While the M2-F3 was still demanding to fly, the centre fin eliminated the high risk of pilot induced oscillation (PIO) that had been characteristic of the M2-F2.
First flight of the M2-F3, with NASA pilot Bill Dana at the controls, was 2 June 1970. The modified vehicle exhibited much better lateral stability and control characteristics than before, and only three glide flights were necessary before the first powered flight on 25 November 1970. The 100th flight of the heavyweight lifting bodies was completed on 5 October 1972, with pilot Bill Dana soaring to an altitude of 20,200m and a Mach number of 1.370 in the M2-F3. Over its 27 missions, the M2-F3 reached a top speed of 1,064 mph (Mach 1.6). Highest altitude reached by the vehicle was 20,790m on 20 December 1972, the date of its last flight, with NASA pilot John Manke at the controls.
A reaction control thruster (RCT) system, similar to that on orbiting spacecraft, was also installed to obtain research data about their effectiveness for vehicle control. As the M2-F3's portion of the lifting body programme neared an end, it evaluated a rate command augmentation control system, and a side-arm control stick similar to side-arm controllers now used on many modern aircraft.
NASA donated the M2-F3 vehicle to the Smithsonian Institution in December 1973. It is seen above hanging in the foyer of the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall in Washington DC. - details from Wikipedia.
2017 Airbus A330-941 cn 1831
After another day of hot-humid tests around MID and the State of Campeche
Manuel Crescencio Rejon Intl Airport (MID | MMMD)
Merida, Yucatan
Mexico
[Canon EOS 1D Mark III + EF 70-200mm f4L USM]
Maj. Ethan Sabin, a pilot with the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron with 10 years experience flying the A-10, stands in front of an F-35A at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb 19, 2016. Six operational test and evaluation F-35s and more than 85 Airmen of the 31st TES, a tenant unit at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., travelled to Mountain Home AFB to conduct the first simulated deployment test of the F-35A, specifically to execute three key initial operational capability mission sets: suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
Honeywell's flight test 757 makes an impressive departure from Airventure...the third engine pylon is for testing and developing new aircraft engines. This elderly 757 (number 5 off the production line back in February 1983) was originally delivered to Eastern Airlines as N504EA.
Oshkosh, WI July 24, 2018.
SOURCE FILE 1271
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NATC Patuxent River Flight Test A-5A Vigilante BuNo 147850 inflight with conventional ordnance during a test flight in 1963.
The Hughes Flying Boat on its first flight over Los Angeles Harbor, November 2, 1947.
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Italian Air Force
Panavia Tornado IDS
CSX7041
RAF Fairford FFD
16/07/2017
Special livery for the 60th anniversary of the 311st Gruppo.
An F-35A is parked on the flight line at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb 19, 2016. Six operational test and evaluation F-35s and more than 85 Airmen of the 31st TES travelled to Mountain Home AFB to conduct the first simulated deployment test of the F-35A, specifically to execute three key initial operational capability mission sets: suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)