NASA Flight Research Center's Douglas R4D-5/C-47H (Bu. No. 17136) in flight, with its landing gear extended, in 1963.
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NASA Flight Research Center’s Douglas R4D-5/C-47H (Bu. No. 17136) in flight, with its landing gear extended, in 1963. The R4D Skytrain was one of the work horses for NACA and NASA at Edwards AFB from 1952 to 1984. Over the 32 years three R4D aircraft served as shuttle craft hauling personnel and equipment between NACA/NASA Centers, and test locations in and out of California. The R4D was used for the first “air tow” of the M2-F1, a lifting body built of mahogany plywood. The R4D provided approximately 100 tows before the M2-F1 was retired for more advanced lifting bodies dropped from a NASA modified B-52.August 30, 1963NASA Photo / NASA› R4D Project Description