Curated by Tim Nelson. December, 2015 – February, 2016.
An exhibit of cutting edge experimental, research, and prototype aircraft from the dawn of flight to the present day.
Models on display
| Description |
|---|
Wright Flyer With this aircraft, the Wright Brothers' were the first to successfully demonstrate sustained, controlled flight. It was a research aircraft in every sense. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
Bristol 138 One of the first aircraft developed specifically to investigate the challenges of high altitude flight. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn |
Heinkel He-100 First of a new generation of very fast fighter prototypes, briefly held world speed record in 1939. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert |
Heinkel He-178 & Von Ohain Turbojet The world's first practical jet aircraft was powered by the pioneering turbojet engine conceived by Hans von Ohain. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Mike Morrow (aircraft), Steve Galacci (engine) |
Messerschmitt Me-209 Purpose built for speed records, this aircraft held the world piston engine speed record from 1939 to 1969. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert |
Heinkel He-280 World's first jet fighter prototype, soon overshadowed by the Messerschmitt Me-262. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Spencer Tom |
Gloster E.28/39 "Whittle" The first British jet aircraft, powered by a turbojet designed by Frank Whittle. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Mike Morrow |
Kawasaki Ki-78 Kensan High speed research aircraft, designed with speed record breaking in mind. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert |
Northrop N-9M A 1/3 scale testbed for the YB-49 flying wing bomber then under development. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Vought V-173 A "discoidal" aircraft concept devised by Charles Zimmerman. Known as the "Flying Pancake", it had unique capabilities but offered no particular advantages in military application. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn |
Kostikov 302 Rocket Interceptor Would-be Soviet ramjet interceptor, but ramjet problems forced redesign for rocket power. The project was cancelled after limited flight test due to technical problems and diminished military need. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Morgan Girling |
MiG I-250 Hybrid propulsion prototype, intended to counter the German Me-262. The piston engine powered the jet's compressor section. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Spencer Tom |
Bell X-1 The famous X-1 was the first aircraft to fly at supersonic speed in level flight, piloted by Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947. Three vehicles were built, all powered by XLR-11 rocket engines. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert |
De Havilland DH108 The three DH 108s were important post-war high speed research aircraft, and the first British type to exceed Mach 1. All three were lost in fatal accidents. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Douglas D-558-1 A joint program of the U.S. Navy and NACA, the "Skystreak" contributed significantly to understanding transonic flight (near Mach 1, the speed of sound). Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert |
Bisnovat 5 ("Aircraft 5") Postwar supersonic research aircraft. Gliding flights revealed handling problems which led in part to its cancellation. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Morgan Girling |
Douglas D-558-2 The "Skyrocket" was the first aircraft to exceed Mach 2, piloted by Scott Crossfield on November 20, 1953. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Northrop X-4 "Bantam" The refined aerodynamics of this tailless research aircraft were too far ahead of late 1940s flight control technology. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn |
Boulton Paul P.111 This tailless research aircraft was significantly modified over time to improve handling qualities. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn |
Bell X-5 World's first variable sweep aircraft was inspired by the captured German (fixed wing) Messerschmitt P.1101 fighter prototype. It made important contributions to swept-wing aerodynamics. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
Douglas X-3 "Stiletto" It looked fast but flew slow. Still, the X-3 contributed to understanding the "inertia coupling" phenomena that plagued long-bodied, thin-winged aircraft in the early 1950s. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
Bell X-1A The X-1A improved on the X-1 with a better cockpit, and greater fuel capacity for extended rocket burn time. In 1953-54, it held both the world speed and altitude records. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Bell X-1E X-1 #2 was redeveloped into the X-1E, incorporating further cockpit refinement, new super thin wings, upgraded rocket turbopumps, and enhanced data collection capabilities. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert |
Bell X-2 The first aircraft to exceed Mach 3, piloted by Mel Apt on September 27, 1956. The aircraft departed controlled flight in one of many early encounters with "inertia coupling", and Apt lost his life. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
SNCASO Trident Fighter prototype using both rocket and wing-mounted turbojet engines Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn |
Lockheed F-104 (NASA Chase) A variety of high performance aircraft have performed chase, training, and support functions. They could accompany test vehicles over much of their flight envelopes. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Scott Kruize |
SNECMA Coléoptère The "Beetle" explored vertical takeoff and landing during nine flights before its destruction in a non-fatal accident. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Chellie Lynn |
Hiller X-18 Experimental cargo transport concept, and the first testbed for tilt-wing technology. The concept lives on in today's Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Terry Moore |
North American X-15 Probably the most significant research aircraft ever, the X-15 made giant contributions to the understanding of hypersonic flight. X-15 data directly influenced the design of the Space Shuttle. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
NASA Paraglider Research Vehicle (Parasev) This contraption was based on the ideas of NACA engineer Francis Rogallo. It was a testbed for gliding spacecraft recovery methods considered for Project Gemini. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Morgan Girling |
NASA M2-F1 The first NASA lifting body was a lightweight "proof of concept" vehicle made mostly of wood. It was first towed by a souped up Pontiac Catalina, later by an R4D (C-47) airplane. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Martin SV-5D/X-23A PRIME "Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry" was the name given this 1/6 scale version of the later USAF X-24A. It was successfully launched into space and recovered. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Northrop HL-10 Fastest (Mach 1.86) and highest flying (90,303 ft) of the manned lifting bodies. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Northrop M2-F2 First heavyweight lifting body, derived from the M2-F1 configuration. It had serious handling problems, and was nearly destroyed in a non-fatal landing accident. It was rebuilt as the successful M2-F3. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Martin X-24A Final major manned lifting body design, built on the shape of X-23 PRIME. The X-23/X-24A configuration strongly influenced NASA's late 1990s X-38 vehicle. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
NASA/Vought F-8 Super Critical Wing A Vought Crusader was adapted to investigate supercritical airfoil technology, which reduces the strength of shockwaves that form on transonic aircraft wings. This fuel saving technology is now common on commercial airliners. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Terry Moore |
Martin X-24B A major modification of the X-24A, this aircraft fully validated the concept of precision unpowered approach and landing. It was the final manned rocket-powered "X-Plane." Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
Lockheed "Have Blue" Top secret proof of concept testbed for stealth techology to be used in the F-117 Nighthawk. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Pat Murphy |
NASA AD-1 The Ames-Dryden-1 successfully demonstrated pivoting, oblique wing technology. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Al Sauer |
Grumman X-29 Although not the first forward swept wing aircraft, the X-29 made great strides with carbon fiber composite materials and fly-by-wire flight controls. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn |
Rutan Boomerang Burt Rutan's Boomerang was designed to make a twin engine aircraft much easier to handle in engine failure situations. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Al Sauer |
NASA X-38 Based on the extensively tested X-23A/X-24A configuration, this International Space Station crew return vehicle concept was to be recovered automatically by parasail. Project was cancelled as unnecessary. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
Boeing X-45 UCAV "Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle" concept demonstrator for a completely autonomous unmanned aircraft, capable of suppressing air defenses. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson |
SpaceShip One First privately developed human spacecraft, winning the Ansari X-Prize in 2004 and setting the stage for commercial human spaceflight. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski |
Northrop X-47B UCAS Demonstrator for a carrier-based unmanned vehicle, capable of aerial refueling and carrier landings. Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Bates |
Douglas X-3 Despite its sleek appearance, the X-3's performance was disappointing. Scale: 1:65 Modeler: Dan Ehrhardt |
Boeing B-29 and Bell X-1A The X-1A (shown here in final NACA livery) and other early rocket vehicles were carried aloft by a B-29 mother ship. Scale: 1:48 Modeler: Terry Moore |