Weird Wings - Lifting Bodies - Northrop M2-F2

In mid-1964 Northrop was contracted by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to produce two all-metal wingless lifting body re-entry research vehicles, based on experience gained in their M2-F1 wooden glider, which had made over 500 flights over 1963-64. The results were the M2-F2 and HL-10 designs.

The M2-F2 first flew as a glider on 12th July, 1966, after dropping from beneath the wing of a Boeing B-52 at 45,000 ft. (14,235 m.). Four minutes later it made a successful landing at 190 mph (306 km/h).

The M2-F2 was badly damaged on landing in May 1967 (see note below) and was rebuilt as the M2-F3, to make its first powered flight on 2nd June 1970.

It attained Mach 0.8 at 53,000 ft (16155 m.) using three of its four XLR11 rocket chambers. It later recorded an altitude of 90,000 ft (27430 m.) and a speed of Mach 1.7.


M2-F2 Crash/Six Million Dollar Man TV Series

Footage of the crash of the M2-F2 in May 1967 was used in the opening title credits of the 1970's TV series, The Six Million Dollar Man, the NASA M2-F2 pictures at bottom show the wrecked aircraft (centre image) and the pilot who survived the crash, Bruce Peterson (right image).

More info on the M2-F2 crash is available at www.astronautix.com/craft/m2f2.htm

Many thanks to Larry Dullum, Bob Sindeldecker and Andrew Smith for their help in verifying the crash information.

NASA M2-F2 Images The three M2-F2 images and movies below are from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California Open the M2-F2 gallery on NASA website
NASA M2-F2 Movies (Quicktime required - download) NASA Dryden Flight Research Center website: M2-F2 flight preparation and launch M2-F2 drop from NB-52A Mothership M2-F2 experiencing lateral oscillations in flight M2-F2 test flight with F5D-1 and F-104N escort Milt Thompson Prepares for M2-F2 Glide Fight