SP-4305 ENGINEER IN CHARGE

 

Appendix E

 

Aircraft

 

[479] Langley laboratory conducted both wind tunnel arid free-flight testing. Sometimes the NACA researchers studied a problem first in flight and then moved on to explore it in a tunnel under a more extreme aerodynamic condition, such as higher speed. Other times the researchers made the initial investigation in a tunnel and then checked the accuracy of the simulation in flight. Such confirmation was essential to aeronautical progress because there were reasons to suspect the accuracy of tunnel data. No one knew, for instance, the exact effect of Reynolds number on test results. Walls, struts, supports, and other tunnel structures affected the aerodynamic performance of a test model in ways that could not be compensated for exactly.

The following is a catalog of the aircraft assigned to NACA Langley in order of receipt. Some of the aircraft were subjected to extensive research probes, others served as test beds for the study of specific innovations, some were given merely cursory flight evaluation, and still others were only visitors at the lab or military base at Langley Field.

NACA Langley's aircraft numbering system may be confusing because it does not conform sequentially to the order of receipt. Some aircraft had multiple NACA designations depending upon the type of arrangement by which the aircraft had been assigned to Langley (e.g., ownership indefinite loan, temporary loan). An example is the P-80A-5, serial 44-85352, acquired on 5 November 1946, which was listed in early records as "NACA 281" but continued to carry the USAAF designation "PN-352" until transfer of ownership to the NACA on 1 May 1950, when it was designated "NACA 112." Over a period of years, in fact, more than one aircraft could have the same number. (The current NASA numbering system begins with 1 for the transports, but the research and support aircraft carry 3-digit numbers, the first digit of which indicates the center to which the aircraft is assigned. For instance, "NASA 1" is a transport operated by Langley for the NASA administrator in Washington, whereas Langley's other aircraft have numbers beginning with 5, such as "NASA 515," a research Boeing 737.) During the years of the NACA, many military aircraft were temporarily assigned to Langley lab for specific programs requested by the services. Rather than paint NACA numbers on most of these, Langley used the last three digits of the military number for the identification. If the aircraft was held over an appreciable time for research, or transferred in ownership to the NACA, Langley then applied NACA numbers. Aircraft purchased by the NACA carried NACA numbers from the start.

 

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

. .

1

Curtiss JN4H

1919

Nov. 1923

(N6249)

 

[480]

.

.

Top, the original NACA hangars, 1981. The aircraft parked to the right is the Fairchild owned by the NACA. Just outside the hangar door is a modified Ford Model A that was used to start aircraft propellers.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

2

Curtiss JN4H (AS 44946)

1919

Nov. 1923

.

3

Curtiss JN4H (AS 38131)

1919

Apr. 1923

.

4

Vought VE-7 (A 5669)

Apr. 1921

July 1929

4

5

British Royal Aircraft Factory (RAF) SE-5A (AS 8049)

Sept. 1922

Sept. 1926

.

6

DeHavilland (AS 22830)

Sept. 1922

4 July 1927

.

 

[481]

Fokker D-VII fighter biplane, 1923.

What interested the NACA most a lout the famous Fokker D-VII was the German fighter plane's thick, internally braced cantilever wings.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

7

Fokker D-VII (6328)

.

1923

7

8

Martin MO-1 (AS 63335)

Sept. 1922

Nov. 1923

.

9

DeHavilland 9A (AS 31839)

Sept. 1922

Dec. 1927

.

10

SPAD VII (AS 7142)

Sept. 1922

Feb. 25

.

No number

Nieuport 23

1922

.

.

No number

Thomas-Morse MB-3

Jan. 1923

1924

.

11

Douglas DT-2 (A 6425)

May 1923

June 1925

.

12

Curtiss JN6H (AS 44946)

Sept. 1923

Aug. 1924

.

13

Consolidated CBS

.

1929

.

14

Vought VE-7 (A 5950)

.

1929

14

15

Curtiss TS-1 (A 6249)

Nov. 1923

Dec. 1928

.

16

Sperry M-1 Messenger (AS 68473)

Jan. 1924

1927

.

17

Supermarine Vickers Viking IV (A6073)

1923

1924

.

18

Curtiss F4C-1 (6689)

.

.

.

 

 

[482]

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

19

Curtiss JNS-1 (AS 24232)

Nov. 1924

June 1926

. .

No number

Martin MB-2

1924

.

.

20

Sperry M-1 Messenger (AS 64226)

Jan. 1925

.

.

21

Vought UO-1

.

.

.

22

Boeing PW-9

Jan. 1927

.

.

23

Curtiss F4C-1 (6690)

.

.

.

24

Douglas M3 Mailplane

1927

1931

.

25

DeHavilland 4-B (AS 31839)

Dec. 1927

Jan. 1930

25

26

Fairchild FC-2W2

1928

.

1

27

Curtiss XF7C-1 Seahawk (A 7653)

.

.

.

28

Atlantic Fokker C-2 (AC 28-123)

.

.

.

29

Douglas O-2H (AC 29-168)

Jan. 1929

1935

.

30

Curtiss H-16

Feb. 1929

July 1929

.

31

Stearman C3B (NS 7550)

.

.

.

32

Curtiss P-1A Marin Hawk (AC 25-411)

July 1929

.

.

33

Consolidated NY-1

.

.

.

34

Doyle 0-2 Oriole

.

.

34

35

Vought 02U-1

.

.

.

36

Consolidated/Fleet XN2Y-1 (A 8019)

1929

.

.

37

Boeing F3B-1

.

.

.

38

Boeing F2B-1

.

.

.

39

Boeing XF4B-1 (A 8128)

.

.

.

40

Consolidated NY-2

.

.

.

41

Verville Sportsman

.

.

.

42

McDonnell Doodlebug

.

.

.

43

Vought 03U-1

.

.

.

44

Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro

July 1931

Sept. 1933

44

45

Curtiss 02C-1

.

.

.

46

Loening XSL- 1 (BuNo. 8696)

.

.

.

47

Fairchild C-7A

.

.

47

48

Martin XBM-l (BuNo. 9212)

.

.

.

[483]

Fokker trimotor with NACA cowlings in flight over Langley, 1929.

Fokker trimotor with experimental NACA cowlings in flight over Langley, 1929.

 

Curtiss Bleeker helicopter, 1930.

Curtiss Bleeker helicopter in front of the NA CA hangar, July 1980

 

[484]

The NACA's new hangar in the east area, 1932.

 

Martin XBM-1 equipped with experimental heated wing for icing research, 1939.

Martin XBM-1 equipped with experimental heated wing for icing research, 1939.

 

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

49

Douglas YO-31A

.

.

.

50

Fleet N2Y-1

.

.

.

51

Detroit/Lockheed XtO4 (BuNo. 9054)

.

.

.

52

Curtiss F6C-4

.

.

.

53

Curtiss 02C-1 (BuNo. 8455)

Aug. 1932

Feb. 1933

.

 

[485]

The NACA's Fairchild 2 with an eperimental flap and spoiler installation, October 1940.

The NACA's Fairchild 2 with an eperimental flap and spoiler installation, October 1940.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

54

Boeing F4B-2 (BuNo. 8628)

July 1932

June 1934

.

55

Boeing P-12C

.

.

.

56

Curtiss P-GE

.

.

.

57

Fleet N2Y-1

Sept. 1932

.

.

58

Vought 02U-1

.

.

.

59

Pitcairn PAA-1 Autogiro

.

.

.

60

Fairchild 22

May 1933

.

60

61

Fairchild C-7A

June 1936

.

47

62

Boeing F3B-1

.

.

.

63

Consolidated NY-2

.

.

..

64

Vought

.

.

.

65

Vought XO4U-2 (BuNo. 8641)

Apr. 1933

May 1933

.

66

Boeing F4B-1

.

.

.

67

Boeing P-12C

.

.

.

68

Curtiss P-GE

.

.

.

69

Vought XF3U-1 (BuNo. 9222)

.

.

.

70

Weick W-1A (NS-67)

Feb. 1934

Apr. 1935

.

71

Boeing P-26A (AC 33-56)

June 1934

.

.

72

Grumman JF-1

June 1934

Aug. 1934

.

73

Northrop XFT-1 (BuNo. 9400)

June 1934

July 1934

.

74

Martin T4M-1

.

.

.

75

Vought SU-2

.

.

.

76

Boeing F4B-4 (BuNo. 8912)

.

.

.

 

[486]

Weick's homebuilt W- 1A airplane 1934.

Fred Weick's homebuilt W-1A of 194, one of the first aircraft to employ tricycle landing gear. Weick and a group of nine other Langley engineers built this small experimental airplane in their spare time to study the special needs of the private flyer. The plane was eventually purchased by the Department of Commerce. After leaving the NACA (for a second and final time) in 1986, Weick incorporated many elements of the W-1 into his design of the famous Ercoupe, a small, simple-to-fly airplane built first by the Engineering Research and Development Corporation (ERCO) of suburban Washington, D. C.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

77

Boeing XBFB-1 (BuNo. 8975)

Aug. 1934

.

.

78

Curtiss N2C-2

Nov. 1934

.

.

79

Vought 02U-2

.

.

.

No number

Consolidated XB2Y1 (BuNo. 9221)

1934

.

.

80

Boeing YP-29A (AC 34-24)

Mar. 1935

July 1940

.

81

Kellet KD-1

Apr. 1935

July 1940

.

No number

Bellanca Pacemaker

Apr. 1935

Apr. 1935

.

82

Fairchild XR2K-1 (BuNo. 9998)

Sept. 1935

1946

82

83

Curtiss BF2C-1 (BuNo. 9586)

Oct. 1935

Dec. 1935

.

84

Great Lakes XTBG41 (BuNo. 9723)

Nov. 1935

Nov. 1935

.

85

Grumman XSF-2 Scout (BuNo. 9493)

Dec. 1935

Jan. 1936

.

 

[487]

Boeing P-26A Peashooter in FST, 1934.

Boeing P-26A fighter mounted in the Full-Scale Tunnel, 1984. This aircraft, known as the Peashooter, was the first army fighter to be constructed entirely of metal and to employ the low-wing monoplane configuration. The wings, though, were externally braced, and the landing gear was fixed.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

86

Taylor E-2 Cub (NC13Y)

Dec. 1935

.

.

87

Taylor E-2 Cub (NC12117)

Dec. 1935

.

.

88

Kellett YG-2 Autogiro (35-279)

Dec. 1935

Mar. 1936

.

89

Kellett YG-1 Autogiro (35-278)

Jan. 1936

May 1936

.

90

Curtiss XBFC-1 (BuNo. 9219)

Jan. 1936

.

.

91

Aeronca E113A (NR13089)

Jan. 1936

.

.

92

Franklin PS-2 Glider (BuNo. 9615)

Apr. 1936

.

.

93

Franklin PS-2 Glider (BuNo. 9614)

Apr. 1936

.

.

94

Stinson Reliant SR-8E

July 1936

1951

94

95

Aeronca C-2N

.

.

95

96

Ryan ST

Aug. 1938

1947

96

 

[488]

Kellett autogiro, 1936.

Kellett autogiro, April 1986. This type of aircraft could make extremely short takeoffs and landings, but it was not capable of the helicopter's hovering or vertical flight. In theory the autogiro main advantage over the conventional airplane was that, in the event of engine failure, its autorotation permitted safe descent.

Curtiss XBFC-1 fighter-bomber, 1937.

The NACA equipped one of the navy's Curtiss XBFC-1 fighter-bombers with a nose slot cowling in October 1987.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

97

Curtiss XSBC-3 (BuNo. 9225)

.

.

.

98

Cunningham-Hall 14324

1936

.

.

99

Grumman XSBF-1 (BuNo. 9998)

.

.

.

100

Pitcairn XOP-2

.

.

.

 

[489]

Stinson Reliant model SR-7 on floats moored in the Back River, 1936.

Stinson Reliant model SR-7 on floats moored in the Back River, 1936.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

101

Vought O2U-4 (BuNo. 8104)

Mar. 1937

.

.

No number

Consolidated PB2A

May 1937

.

.

102

Curtiss SOC-1

.

.

.

103

Boeing P-26A

.

.

.

104

Curtiss XF13C-3 (BuNo. 9343)

.

.

.

105

North American BT-OA

.

.

.

106

Martin B-10B

.

.

.

107

Vought SB2U-1

.

.

.

108

Douglas DC-3 (NC16070, United Ar Lines)

.

.

.

109

Douglas XB-7 (AC3O-228)

.

.

.

110

Seversky P-35 (X1254 and X1390)

.

.

.

111

Grumman F3F-2

.

.

.

112

Fairchild F-46

.

.

.

113

Douglas B-18 Bolo

.

.

.

114

Kellett YG-1B Autogiro

.

.

.

No number

Brewster XF2A-1

.

.

.

115

Stearman-Hammond Y (NS73)

.

.

.

116

Wilford XOZ-1 Autgiro

Aug. 1937

1941

.

117

Grumman XF4F-2 (BuNo. 0383)

.

.

.

118

Northrop A-17A (AC 85)

.

.

.

119

Grumman F3F-2 (BuNo. 0967)

.

.

.

 

[490]

Douglas Dolphin amphibian, 1937.

This twin-engine Douglas Dolphin amphibian was unusual in that it employed a nose wheel instead of a tail wheel, January 1937.

 

Stearman-Hammond Model Y, 1939.

Stearman-Hammond Model Y, January 1989, winner of the $700 safe airplane competition sponsored by the Department of Commerce in the mid-19808. Only a few of these aircraft were produced, and at a cost far in excess of $700.

 

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

120

Fairchild XC-31 (AC 34-26)

.

.

.

121

Vought SB2U-1 (BuNo. 0726)

.

.

.

122

Douglas OA-4A (AC) 32-404)

June 1938

.

.

123

Curtiss AT-5 (AC 28-66)

.

.

.

 

 

[491]

Lockheed 12 executive transport, 1940.

Langley tried a center fin to improte the directional stability of its Lockheed Model 12 executive transport, June 1940.

 

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

124

North American BT-9B (AC 37-227)

Aug. 1938

Feb. 1941

.

125

Ryan

.

.

.

126

North American BC-1

Aug. 1938

Sept. 1938

.

127

Vought XSB3U-1 (BuNo. 9834

Aug. 1938

Jan. 1939

.

128

Vought SB2U-2 (BuNo. 1326)

Nov. 1938

Mar. 1939

.

129

Vought SB2U-1 (BuNo. 0770)

Nov. 1938

Dec. 1938

.

No Number

Sikorsky XPBS-1 (BuNo. 9995)

1938

.

.

130

Douglas XBT-2

.

.

.

131

Lockheed 12 (transferred to Ames lab) (NC17396)

Jan. 1939

Oct. 1940

97

132

Northrop A-17A (AC 36-184)

Feb. 1939

June 1939

.

133

Brewster XSBA-1 (BuNo. 9726)

Feb. 1939

.

.

134

Lockheed XR4O Model 14 (BuNo. 1441)

Feb. 1939

.

.

135

Curtiss P-36A

Mar. 1939

Nov. 1939

.

 

 

[492]

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

136

Curtiss XP-40 (AC 38-10)

Mar. 1939

Mar. 1944

.

137

Seversky P-35

Apr. 1939

.

.

138

Seversky XP-41 (AC 36-430)

May 1939

Apr. 1942

.

139

Fairchild (NX18689)

May 1939

Apr. 1942

.

140

Bell XP-39 (AC 38-326)

June 1939

.

.

141

Grumman XF4F4 (BuNo. 0383)

Aug. 1939

.

.

142

Aeronca 65-C

Aug. 1939

Sept. 1939

.

143

Douglas B-18

Sept. 1939

Nov. 1941

.

144

Kellett YG-1B Autogiro (AC 37-635)

Sept. 1939

Jan. 1940

.

145

Piper Cub (NC26899)

Sept. 1939

Oct. 1947

98

146

Piper Cub #2

Sept. 1939

Oct. 1939

.

147

Taylorcraft

Oct. 1939

.

.

148

Douglas R2D

Dec. 1939

1941

.

149

Stinson 105

Jan. 1940

Mar. 1940

.

150

Beechcraft (NC20780)

June 1940

June 1940

.

151

Beechcraft (NC19494)

June 1940

June 1940

.

152

Curtiss P-40

June 1940

July 1940

.

153

Bellanca Crusair (NC15690)

June 1940

July 1940

.

154

Bellanca Crusair (NC25303)

July 1940

July 1940

.

155

Douglas C-39

July 1940

July 1940

.

156

Curtiss P-40

June 1940

July 1940

.

157

Curtiss XP-42 (AC 38-4)

Sept. 1940

Nov. 1942

.

158

Curtiss XSO3C-1 (BuNo. 1385)

Sept. 1940

Nov. 1940

.

159

St. Louis PT-LM4 (NX25500)

Sept. 1940

Oct. 1940

.

160

Lockheed XC-35 (AC 36-353)

Oct. 1940

Feb. 1943

.

161

Brewster XF2A-2 (BuNo. 0451)

Oct. 1940

June 1941

.

 

[493]

Curtiss XP-42 fighter, 1945.

Curtiss XP-42 fighter with various test modifications in flight over Langley, 1945.

Lockheed XC-35, 1943.

The NACA used this Lockheed XC-35 in 1948 to study cabin pressurization at high altitudes.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

162

Grumman F4F-3 (BuNo. 1845)

Nov. 1940

May 1942

.

163

Curtiss P-36C

Dec. 1940

June 1941

.

 

[494]

Martin B-26 after crash, 1941.

This Martin B-26 crashed at the end of an NACA test flight in December 1941 when its nose wheel failed to extend.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

164

Republic XP-41 (AC 36-430)

Dec. 1940

Apr. 1942

.

165

Douglas A-20A

Jan. 1941

Aug. 1941

.

166

Brewster XSBA-1 (BuNo. 9726)

Jan. 1941

Sept. 1945

.

167

Republic YP-43

Feb. 1941

Feb. 1941

.

168

Bell YP-39

Feb. 1941

July 1944

.

169

Curtiss YP-37 (AC 38-474)

Feb. 1941

Jan. 1942

.

170

Grumman F4F-3 (BuNo. 2538)

Apr. 1941

May 1942

.

171

Lockheed 12A

May 1941

Mar. 1960

99

172

Vought XF4U-1 (BuNo. 1443)

June 1941

Mar. 1943

.

173

Fleetwing 33

Oct. 1941

Dec. 1941

.

174

Martin B-26

Nov. 1941

Dec. 1941

.

175

Hawker Hurricane (25017)

Nov. 1941

Dec. 1941

.

176

Spitfire R7347 (35497)

Nov. 1941

Jan. 1943

.

177

Lockheed YP-38#2 (AC 39-690)

Nov. 1941

Feb. 1942

.

178

Spitfire W3119 (37147)

Dec. 1941

Feb. 1942

.

179

North American XP-51 (AC 41-38)

Dec. 1941

Dec. 1942

.

180

Grumman F4F-3 (BuNo. 3990)

Feb. 1942

May 1943

.

 

[495]

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

181

Curtiss P-40E (AC 41-5534)

Mar. 1942

July 1942

.

182

Republic P-47B (AC 41-5897)

Mar. 1942

Oct. 1942

.

183

Curtiss SNC-1 (BuNo. 6295)

Apr. 1942

May 1942

.

184

Grumman XTBF-1 (BuNo. 2540)

May 1942

June 1943

.

185

Curtiss P-40K-1

July 1942

Oct. 1944

.

186

Republic P-47B #2 (AC 41-5901)

July 1942

Oct. 1942

.

187

Curtiss P-40E (AC 42-45801)

July 1942

Sept. 1942

.

188

Brewster F2A-2 (BuNo. 1426)

July 1942

June 1944

.

189

Curtiss P-40F (AC 41-13600)

July 1942

Sept. 1942

.

190

Fairchild 24 (transferred to Ames)

Sept. 1942

Oct. 1942

100

191

Republic P-47C

Oct. 1942

Dec. 1942

.

192

Republic P-47C (AC 41-6102)

Oct. 1942

Dec. 1942

.

193

Vought F4U-1

Oct. 1942

Mar. 1943

.

194

Republic P-47C-1 (AC 41-6130)

Oct. 1942

Aug. 1944

.

195

Curtiss SB2C-1 (BuNo. 00014)

Dec. 1942

May 1943

.

196

North American SNJ-3 (BuNo. 01847)

Dec. 1942

July 1945

.

197

Bell P-39D-1 (AC 41-28378)

Jan. 1943

Apr. 1943

.

198

Grumman F6F-3 (BuNo. 04776)

Feb. 1943

June 1946

.

199

Curtiss SB2C-1 (BuNo. 00056)

Feb. 1943

July 1943

.

200

Republic XP-47F (AC 41-5938)

Feb. 1943

Oct. 1943

.

201

Japanese Zero (4593)

Mar. 1943

Mar. 1943

.

202

North American XP-51 (AC 41-39)

Mar. 1943

Jan. 1944

.

203

Curtiss SB2C-1 (BuNo. 00140)

May 1943

Nov. 1943

.

 

[496]

Japanese Zero, 1943.

A captured Japanese Zero was evaluated (with new markings) at Langley in March 1948.

 

Consolidated B-24D Liberator, 1943.

A Consolidated B-24D Liberato rests outside the Langley airship hangar in July 1948. The air force dismantled this hangar in 1947 and 1948.

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

204

Martin RA-30 (AC 41-27687)

June 1943

Mar. 1944

.

205

Consolidated B-24D (AC 42-40223)

June 1943

Apr. 1944

.

206

Vought F4U-1 (BuNo. 02161)

July 1943

Sept. 1943

.

207

Bell P-63 (AC 42-68861)

July 1943

Nov. 1943

.

 

 

[497]

Bell P-63 Kingcobra, 1944.

The army's Bell P-68 Kingcobra fighter employed one of the NACA's laminar-flow airfoil sections, May 1944.

 

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

208

Curtiss P40F (AC 41-14119)

July 1943

Feb. 1945

.

209

General Motors TBM-1 (BuNo. 24820)

Aug. 1943

Nov. 1943

.

210

North American P-51B (AC 43-12105)

Aug. 1943

Jan. 1951

.

211

North American P-51B-1

Sept. 1943

Oct. 1943

104

212

Republic P-47D-3-RE (AC 42-8207)

Oct. 1943

Mar. 1944

.

213

North American XP-51 (AC 41-38)

Jan. 1944

July 1945

.

214

Sikorsky YR-4B

Jan. 1944

Oct. 1948

.

215

Bell P-63A-1BE (AC 42-68889)

Feb. 1944

June 1944

.

216

Douglas A-26B-2-DL (AC 41-39120)

Mar. 1944

June 1944

.

217

Grumman XF6F-4 (BuNo. 02981)

Apr. 1944

Mar. 1945

.

218

Sikorsky HNS-1 (BuNo. 39034)

Apr. 1944

.

.

219

Curtiss SB2C-1C (BuNo. 18294)

Apr. 1944

June 1945

.

220

Bell P-63A-1-BE (AC 42-68881)

May 1944

1946

.

 

 

[498]

Langley test pilots, 1945. To the far left is chief test pilot Melvin N. Gough.

Langley test pilots, 1945. To the far left is chief test pilot Melvin N. Gough.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

221

Cessna UC-78-18-1-CE (AC 43-31957)

June 1944

Aug. 1945

.

222

Republic P-47D-15-RA

July 1944

July 1945

.

223

Republic P-47D 28-RE (AC 42-28541)

July 1944

Apr. 1948

.

224

Grumman TBM 3 (BuNo. 22857)

Aug. 1944

Aug. 1944

.

225

Brewster F3A-1 (BuNo. 11213)

Aug. 1944

Sept. 1945

.

226

Spitfire (EN-474)

Aug. 1944

Nov. 1944

.

227

DeHavilland F-8 (AC 43-34928)

Aug. 1944

Jan. 1945

.

228

DeHaviliand F-8 (AC 43-34960)

Aug. 1944

Jan. 1945

.

229

Douglas A-26B-10-DT (AC 43-22280)

Sept. 1944

Oct. 1945

.

230

Douglas SBD-5 (BuNo. 28373)

Sept. 1944

Oct. 1945

101

231

Curtiss SC-1 (BuNo. 35324)

Oct. 1944

Feb. 1945

.

 

[499]

Sikorsky HNS-1 helicopter, 1945.

Sikorsky's HNS-1 helicopter was test flown at Langley in March 1945.

Grumman JRF-5 Goose, ca. 1950.

The NACA used this Grumman JRF-5 Goose amphibian to shuttle workers back and forth between Langley and Wallops Island.

[500]

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

232

Grumman XF8 -1 (BuNo. 90460)

Dec. 1944

Feb. 1945

.

233

North America P-51D-5 (AF 44-13257)

Dec. 1944

May 1957

108

234

Curtiss SB2C-3 (BuNo. 19332)

Jan. 1945

June 1945

.

235

General Motors FM-2 (BuNo. 74507)

Jan. 1945

Apr. 1945

.

236

Culver PQ-14B (AF 44-21896)

Jan. 1945

Apr. 1949

.

237

North America P-51D-5 (AF 44-14017)

Jan. 1945

June 1952

102

238

Republic P-471 -1-RE (AF 44-87790)

Jan. 1945

July 1945

.

239

Republic P-471 -30-RA (AF 44-33441)

Jan. 1945

Oct. 1948

.

240

Vought F4U-1 (BuNo. 82716)

Feb. 1945

Mar. 1945

.

241

Beechcraft UC- 45F (AF 44-47264)

Mar. 1945

1951

.

242

Sikorsky JRS-1 (BuNo. 1063)

Apr. 1945

Nov. 1946

.

243

Boeing B-29B (AF 44-83927)

May 1945

Sept. 1946

.

244

Grumman XF8 F-1 (BuNo. 90461)

May 1945

Apr. 1946

.

245

North America P-51B (AF 43-12114)

June 1945

July 1945

.

246

North America P-51B (AF 43-12491)

June 1945

Oct. 1945

.

247

North America P-51H (AF 44-64164)

June 1945

Sept. 1946

.

248

Grumman JRF 5 (BuNo. 34094)

July 1945

Apr. 1946

103

249

North America SNJ-3 (BuNo. 05475)

July 1945

Oct. 1948

.

250

Boeing TB-29 (AF 44-69700)

July 1945

Nov. 1950

.

251

Vought F4U-1D (BuNo. 50378)

Aug. 1945

Aug. 1945

.

252

Consolidated PBY-5A (BuNo. 2473)

Aug. 1945

Sept. 1945

.

[501]

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

253

Republic P-47N-25-RE (AF 44-89303)

Aug. 1945

Dec. 1950

.

254

North American TP-51D (AF 44-63826)

Aug. 1945

Apr. 1946

.

255

Douglas C-47-DL (AF 41-18392)

Aug. 1945

Oct. 1945

.

256

North American P-51D-25 (AF 44-84864)

Aug. 1945

July 1957

126

257

Douglas BTD-1 (BuNo. 09060)

Aug. 1945

Apr. 1946

.

258

Curtiss SC-1 (BuNo. 93334)

Aug. 1945

Apr. 1946

.

259

North American P-51D-25 (AF 44-84900)

Sept. 1945

June 1952

127

260

North American P-51D-25 (AF 44-84944)

Sept. 1945

June 1952

128

261

North American P-51D-25 (AF 44-84953)

Sept. 1945

June 1952

129

262

North American P-51D-25 (transferred to Muroc I SFS) (AF 44-84958)

Sept. 1945

Aug. 1950

148

263

Douglas C-47A-25-DK (AF 42-93791)

Oct. 1945

Apr. 1946

.

264

Douglas BTD-1 (BuNo. 09058)

Oct. 1945

Nov. 1945

.

265

Curtiss SB2C-4E (BuNo. 82877)

Nov. 1945

Oct. 1946

.

266

Boeing B-29-96-BW (AF 45-21808)

Nov. 1945

Dec. 1955

124

267

Grumman F8F-1 (BuNo. 90448)

Jan. 1946

Feb. 1946

.

268

Beechcraft UC-45 (transferred to Muroc HSFS) (AF 44-47110)

Jan. 1946

May 1947

105

269

Douglas C-47B-51-DK (transferred to Lewis Research Center) (AF 43-49526)

Jan. 1946

Oct. 1971

106

270

Northrop P-61C (AF 43-8327)

Feb. 1946

Feb. 1946

.

271

Grumman JRF-5 (BuNo. 34088)

Apr. 1946

June 1948

103

 

[502]

Bell L-39, 1946.

The L-89 was a purely experim ntal version of the Bell P-69 Kingcobra fighter designed to study the low-speed handling characteristics of swept wings, December 1946.

East area hangar, 1947.

The east area hangar, 1947, with a Douglas C-54 and two B-29 Superfortresses and, in the background, the 19-Foot Pressure Tunnel and the Full-Scale Tunnel.

 

[503]

Langley modified a Stinson L-5 to show that a quiet airplane could be developed. During the lunchtime of the NAGA's annual inspection in 1946, the modified (lower photograph) and the standard aircraft were flown separately over the conference building. Those who witnessed the demonstration were astonished by e relative quiet of the modified L-5.

Langley modified a Stinson L-5 to show that a quiet airplane could be developed. During the lunchtime of the NAGA's annual inspection in 1946, the modified (lower photograph) and the standard aircraft were flown separately over the conference building. Those who witnessed the demonstration were astonished by e relative quiet of the modified L-5.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

272

Grumman F8F-1 (BuNo. 94812)

May 1946

Apr. 1947

.

273

Fairchild PT-19A (AF 42-83595)

May 1946

1950

.

274

Grumman F8F-1 (BuNo. 94873)

June 1946

1951

.

275

North American AT-6 (AF 44-81682)

July 1946

Jan. 1959

117

276

Douglas R4D-6 (transferred to Lewis) (BuNo. 50795)

Aug. 1946

Oct. 1946

.

 

[504]

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

277

Douglas R4D-6 (BuNo. 50826)

Aug. 1946

Dec. 1948

.

278

Douglas R4D-6 (transferred to Ames) (BuNo. 50812)

Aug. 1946

Oct. 1946

.

279

Bell L-39-1 (transferred to Lewis) (BuNo. 90060)

Aug. 1946

Dec. 1949

.

280

Douglas C-54D (AF 42-72713)

Sept. 1946

Aug. 1947

.

281

Lockheed P-80A-5

Nov. 1946

July 1954

112

282

Bell L-39-2 (BuNo. 90061)

Dec. 1946

Dec. 1949

.

283

Vultee L-5E-1VW (AF 44-17984)

Mar. 1947

Oct. 1947

.

284

Vultee L-5E-1VW (AF 44-17939)

Mar. 1947

Nov. 1947

.

285

Grumman J4F-2 (BuNo. 32972)

Aug. 1947

June 1951

.

286

Sikorsky HO3S-1 (BuNo. 122520)

Feb. 1948

Sept. 1961

201

287

Grumman J4F-2 (BuNo. 32976)

May 1948

1951

.

288

North American P-82 (AF 44-83886)

June 1948

Oct. 1955

114

289

Grumman JRF-5 (BuNo. 37778)

June 1948

July 1958

103

290

Cessna 190 (N3477V)

Aug. 1948

June 1958

104

291

North American B-45 (AF 47-21)

Oct. 1948

Aug. 1952

121

292

North American SNJ-5 (BuNo. 84839)

Oct. 1948

June 1957

.

293

Douglas R4D-6 (BuNo. 50831)

Nov. 1948

July 1952

.

294

Bell H-13B (AF 48-839)

May 1949

Apr. 1950

.

295

Lockheed TO-1 (BuNo. 33870)

May 1949

Oct. 1949

.

296

Beechcraft C-45F (AF 43-35906)

Aug. 1949

Mar. 1959

125

 

[505]

Cessna 190, 1948.

In 1948 this Cessna 190 was used by the NACA to test new ways of controlling the boundary layer at the wing's leading edge.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

297

Republic YF-84 (transferred to Muroc (SFS) (AF 45-59490)

Aug. 1949

Nov. 1949

134

298

Vought F4U-4B (BuNo. 97392)

Mar. 1950

1951

.

299

Vultee L-5 (AF 45-34927)

May 1950

Nov. 1950

.

300

Beechcraft Bonanza 35 (N5094C)

Aug. 1950

Nov. 1950

.

301

McDonnell F2H (BuNo. 122540)

Oct. 1950

June 1951

.

302

Grumman F9F-2 (BuNo. 122560)

Jan. 1951

July 1960

215

303

Lockheed TO-2/TV-2 (BuNo. 124933)

Jan. 1951

Feb. 1960

.

304

Piasecki HRP-1 (BuNo. 111813)

Feb. 1951

1951

.

305

North American F-86A-1 (AF 47-620)

Feb. 1951

July 1958

136

306

McDonnell F2H-1 (BuNo. 122530)

Aug. 1951

Sept. 1959

214

307

Boeing B-47A (AF 49-1900)

July 1952

Mar. 1953

.

308

Sikorsky HRS-1 (BuNo. 127783)

Mar. 1953

Aug. 1964

211

 

[506]

Congestion in the west area hangar, 1952.

Congestion in the west area hangar, 1952.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

309

McDonnell XF-8 B (AF 46-525)

July 1953

Sept. 1958

.

310

Hiller HTE-1 (BuNo. 128646)

July 1953

Feb. 1956

.

311

Bell H-13G (AF 52-7834)

Sept. 1953

July 1967

.

312

Lockheed F-80B (AF 45-8683A)

Dec. 1953

Oct. 1958

152

313

Grumman F9F-7 (BuNo. 130864)

Jan. 1954

Nov. 1959

.

314

Vertol H-25A/HUP-1 (51-16574G)

Feb. 1954

Jan. 1960

.

315

McDonnell F2H-3 (BuNo. 126300)

July 1954

Sept. 1959

210

316

Grumman JRF-5 (BuNo. 37816)

Aug. 1954

Nov. 1954

103

317

Vertol H-25 (51-16637)

Sept. 1954

Feb. 1955

.

 

[507]

Vought XF8U-3 supersonic fighter, late 1950s.

The navy's Vought XF8U-3 supersonic fighter was an entirely new design as compared to the earlier F8U Crusader series. This ft plane lost in competition with the McDonnell F4H, however, and was never put into production. Langley used the XF8U-8 in some of the first flight measurements of sonic boom intensity.

 

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

318

Grumman JRF-5 (replaced #103, which was lost in crash at Wallops Island, 3 Nov. 1954) (BuNo. 87748)

Feb. 1955

Mar. 1960

202/103

319

McDonnell XF-88A (AF 46-526)

Feb. 1955

July 1958

.

320

Beechcraft C-45F (AF 44-47106)

Mar. 1955

Mar. 1959

.

321

North American EJF- 6D (AF 50-459)

Feb. 1956

May 1960

204

322

North American F-86 -31 (AF 51-5959A)

Mar. 1956

Sept. 1958

.

323

North American JF-8 D-5 (AF 50-509)

Apr. 1956

July 1960

205

324

Sikorsky HSS-1 (BuNo. 137855)

June 1956

Feb. 1957

.

325

McDonnell F-101A (AF 53-2434)

Aug. 1956

Mar. 1960

219

326

Hiller YH-32 (55-4968)

Nov. 1956

Nov. 1958

.

327

Hiller YH-32 (55-4970)

Nov. 1956

Nov. 1958

.

 

[508]

Two views of the McDonnell XF- 8B experimental jet fighter. Langley used this aircraft in the mid-1950s to explore the potential of a supersonic propeller.

 

In the overhead view, note the survey rake mounted just behind the prop.

Two views of the McDonnell XF- 8B experimental jet fighter. Langley used this aircraft in the mid-1950s to explore the potential of a supersonic propeller. In the overhead view, note the survey rake mounted just behind the prop.

Order of receipt at Langley

Aircraft type and serial no.

Arrived

Departed

NACA no.

.

328

Vought F8U-1 (BuNo. 141354d)

Dec. 1956

Feb. 1959

.

329

Grumman F11F-1 (BuNo. 138623)

Jan. 1957

Aug. 1961

.

330

Grumman SA-16A (AF 49-088A)

May 1957

Mar. 1958

.

331

North American T-28 (AF 50-279A)

June 1957

Mar. 1959

.

332

North American F-100-C25 (AF 54-2024A)

Sept. 1957

Oct. 1959

.

333

Lockheed T-33A (AF 49-939A)

Nov. 1957

Feb. 1958

.

334

McDonnell F-101A (AF 54-1442A)

Apr. 1958

Dec. 1958

220

Sources: Log books, Aircraft Operations Branch, Bldg. 1244, LaRC; Airplane and Engine Records, 1939-1958, LaRC Historic Archives; Robert L. Burns, "Aircraft Assigned to Langley Aeronautical Laboratory," unpublished typescript with handwritten notes, Aug. 1986, copy in LaRC Archives.

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