| Airline / Aircraft |
Location and Date |
Photographer |
NASA
Bell X-14B
|
Off Airport (Crawfordsville - Ropkey Armor Museum)
USA - Indiana, July 28, 2014 |
Craig Maternowski
Contact |
| Registration/Serial No. | Remarks & Notes |
| N704NA / 56-4022 (cn 001) First flying in 1957, the X-14 was used as a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) test aircraft for the U.S. Air Force using two Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engines with moveable vanes that could direct the thrush. It was later transferred to NASA where Hawker test pilots used it to familiarize themselves with controlling a VTOL aircraft during the development of the Harrier. Another function of the X-14 was to serve as a trainer for lunar module pilots, including Neil Armstrong, to practice moon landings. In its last and current configuration, it was modified with new GE J85 engines and a computer/fly-by-wire system to simulate any other VTOL aircraft type. It was retired from service in 1981 and was saved from the scrapyard by the Ropkey Armor Museum in Crawfordsville, IN where it's on display today. |
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