NASA M2-F1 - Wikipedia
The NASA M2-F1 is 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.
NASA – The M2-F1: ‘Look Ma! No Wings!’
Sep 9, 2013 · The vehicle that began the era – the M2-F1 – was an unlikely forerunner to the shuttle. The world’s first manned lifting body, the M2-F1 was made of wood, had an internal framework of steel tubes, looked like a bathtub sitting on a tricycle, and had no wings.
M2-F1 - NASA
Jun 20, 2014 · More than 400 ground tows and 77 aircraft tow flights were carried out with the M2-F1 before it was retired. A historical artifact now owned by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the M2-F1 is on long-term loan to NASA …
Where Are They Now: M2-F1 Lifting Body - NASA
Jan 23, 2015 · NASA research pilot Milt Thompson flew the M2-F1 during the first series of tests. Typical glide flights with the M2-F1 lasted several minutes at speeds of 110 to 120 mph. More than 400 ground tows and 77 aircraft tow flights were carried out …
NASA Dryden M2-F1 Photo Collection
The M2-F1 proved the lifting body concept and lead the way for subsequent, metal "heavyweight" designs. Chuck Yeager, Bruce Peterson and Don Mallick also flew the M2-F1.
NASA M2-F1 "Flying Bathtub" - Post-WW2 American Aircraft
NASA M2-F1 Image Gallery The NASA M2-F1 wasn’t fast, flashy, or powerful—but it was brilliant. Built with minimal resources and maximum creativity, it changed how we think about flight from space. This humble “flying bathtub” helped launch the era of reusable spacecraft, all while being towed into the air behind a car.
5 Fast Facts On NASA's Weird M2-F1 Wingless Plane
Nov 22, 2024 · Designed in 1962 and first flown in 1963, NASA 's M2-F1 "lifting body" aircraft stands out not only due to its unconventional design but also for its significant contributions to aerospace technology. Dubbed the "flying bathtub," this peculiar plane paved the way for future NASA spacecraft.
Aircraft without wings! (NASA M2-F1) - Aircraft Nerds
The wingless, M2-F1 aircraft design was initially conceived as a means of landing a spacecraft horizontally after atmospheric reentry. The absence of wings would make the extreme heat of reentry less damaging to the vehicle.
NASA Dryden M2-F1 Aircraft Photo Collection
NASA craftsmen and engineers built the tubular steel interior frame. Its mahogany plywood shell was hand-made by Gus Briegleb and company. Ernie Lowder, a NASA craftsman who had …
This Month in NASA History: A Flying Bathtub Set the Stage for …
Aug 23, 2016 · The M2-F1, the first aircraft in the NASA-Air Force lifting body program, started life as a 24-inch model that was air-launched from a radio-controlled plane. That model was created by R. Dale Reed, an engineer from NASA’s Flight Research Center (FRC, now Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC)).