Pictures from the HL-10 project

The X-38 was based on the X-24 project. Thats why they are so alike.

However, the X-38 was unmanned and incorporated new technology in computing and materials.

The X-38 looks like an updated X-24A.

Yes, the M2 was the lightweight lifting body, being constructed of wood and being a glider.
You can see the others are much more substantial rocket propelled craft, this is my favourite, the Lifting body GTi, X-24B

I believe the M2 series were the cheapest research craft that NASA ever built.

Yes, and note the 2 bolts used to fasten the instrument arrangement thingy. I’ll search for more interiour photos.

That last pic shows how basic they were, even looks like wood in the interior!

Just happened upon a picture of Bruce Peterson in his retirement.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Here is the M2-F2 illegally parked on the lakebed.

Technically, there were only four actual airframes though, as the M2-F2 which crashed (as shown in the Six Million Dollar Man) was rebuilt after the accident as the M2-F3… which is pretty amazing given the dramatic fashion of the crash. The pilot, Bruce Peterson, survived the incident too, and flew again for NASA as well, even though he lost an eye to infection. Incidentally, the HL-10 was also shown in the opening sequence of SMDM, falling away from the B-52 mother ship, so BSG-75 was right as well.

Cheers,
Richard

PS. Thanks for posting the photos… just love that one with the B-52 flying over the aircraft and crew on the desert floor.

AFAIK there are 5 aircraft considered to be part of the heavyweight lifting body design test.

HL-10
X-24
M2-F1
M2-F2
M2-F3

Yeager in M2-F1 with a nice combover…..

M2-F2

There was also X-38 Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), but it was another test series.

never knew they looked at more than one design – still takes a brave man to step into one, either way.

There’s at least two different designs in the one of the photos above, both being loaded into the Super Guppy!

Wasn’t there four different designs, Martin Marietta designing one as well.

🙁 hanging my head……… I did mean that…..

http://www.astronautix.com/craft/m2f2.htm

never knew they looked at more than one design – still takes a brave man to step into one, either way.

I remember seeing it burst into flame at the start of every episode and it was (IIRC) card number 50 out of 50 on a collection of cards that came in T-bags….

If you mean The Six Million Dollar Man, then the crash was actually an M2F2 not the HL10.

Don’t fly it Colonel Steve Austin..it won’t end well…

I remember seeing it burst into flame at the start of every episode and it was (IIRC) card number 50 out of 50 on a collection of cards that came in T-bags….

I love the analogue cockpit, I know its essentially a 50’s/60’s design but somehow you expect more.

am loving your picture postings these days Mondariz, you have a new broadband connection and lots of free time;)

HL 10 turning for finals – looks like its 10,000ft up, must of had hell of a rate of descent!
Excellent stuff, NASA really knew how to turn on the propaganda, and well.