Dale Reed, who inaugurated the lifting-body flight research at NASA's Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, originally proposed that three wooden outer shells be built.
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Dale Reed, who inaugurated the lifting-body flight research at NASA’s Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, originally proposed that three wooden outer shells be built. These would then be attached to the single internal steel structure. The three shapes were (viewer’s left to right) the M2-F1, the M1-L, and a lenticular shape. NASA pilot Milt Thompson, who supported Reed’s advocacy for a lifting-body research project, recommended that only the M2-F1 shell be built, believing that the M1-L shape was “too radical,” while the lenticular one was “too exotic.” Although the lenticular shape was often likened to that of a flying saucer, Reed’s wife Donna called it the “powder puff.”12 Oct 1962NASA Photo› M2-F1 Project Description