Space Shuttle Chronology–Vol 1-3

The chronological history of every Space Shuttle flight from 1981 – 2006. Takeoffs, landings and mission highlights.

Click here to download all three volumes in one ZIP file (3.1 Megs)

Alternate download:

Vol 1 here

Vol 2 here   

Vol 3 here

Toward a History of the Space Shuttle–Part 1

NASA publications Toward a History of the Space Shuttle : An Annotated Bibliography Part 1. Part of the Monographs in Aerospace History series, number 49.

These volumes includes key articles, books, hearings, and U.S. government publications published on the Shuttle between 1992 and the end of the Shuttle program in 2011. Part 1 dated 2011.

Click here to download part 1(1.0 Megs)

Alternate download: Part 1 here  

F-15 Eagle –Prelude to Flight (A Tall Tail Tale)

Another narrative from Jack Abercrombie on the early days of the F-15 Eagle project, The proposal, design, wind tunnel data and the final “Tall Tail” outcome. This narrative is part of Jack Abercrombie’s memoirs. Jack was an Aerodynamics Project Engineer from 1971 to 1978. Credit: Jack Abercrombie

Click here to download narrative (1.4 Megs)

Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt Photos

Several photos of the Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt.

From FAS.ORG: The Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt was an air-launched ballistic missile that would have been carried on the B-52H. Armed with a W59 nuclear warhead in a Mk. 7 re-entry vehicle, development was initiated in the late 1950s. The decision to proceed with the Skybolt was made in February 1960, with initial deployment projected for 1964. In June of 1960, the British government ordered 100 Skybolts to be carried by the Avro Vulcan. However, in December of 1962, President Kennedy cancelled the Skybolt missile for political and economical reasons.

In June 1963, the GAM-87A was redesignated as AGM-48A.

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file (17.3 Megs)

Click here to see photos

History of the GAM-87 Skybolt Missile

 History of the GAM-87 Skybolt Air to Surface Ballistic Missile from the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) Historical Publication Series, No. 67-50-I. Written by Charles G. Worman and dated March 1967. This was a Douglas missile.

Click here to download history (13.2 Megs)

Alternate download here

Celebrating 30 Years of the Space Shuttle Program

From the NASA Aeronautics Book Series, Celebrating 30 Years of the Space Shuttle Program. Dated 2011. Written by Adam Chin. Lots of GOOD Shuttle info and photos! Credit: NASA

Click here to download book (55.4 Megs)

Alternate link here

Phantom RAF Airframe Qualification Course Notes

RAF F-4K Phantom II airframe course 1960’s notes. Not a good copy; but, I cleaned it up as much as possible. A unique offering! Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download notes (109 Megs)

Probing the Sky

From the NASA Aeronautics Book Series, Probing the Sky (Selected NACA Research Airplanes and Their Contributions to Flight). Dated 2014. Written by Curtis Peebles. Aircraft covered include the Bell X-1, Douglas 558-1 Skystreak, Douglas 558-2 Skyrocket, Douglas X-3 Stilleto, Northrop X-4 Bantam, Bell X-5 and the Convair XF-92A. Lots of GOOD info and photos! Credit: NASA

Click here to download ebook (18.4 Megs)

Alternate link here

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1F-102A-1 Flight Manual for the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger aircraft, dated 15 September 1960. Credit: Hydroz.net

Click here to download manual (46 Megs)

I  am trying out a new PDF service for download. Tell me what you think!

Click here to download manual from new source

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter on McAir Ramp

Another “Golden Oldie”, this time two photos of a Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter aircraft on the McAir ramp in the early 1950’s.

Click here to view photos

Boeing XF8B-1 Photos–Part I

Seventy four photos of the XF8B-1.

From WorldWarPhotos: XF8B-1 (Model 400) was a single-engine aircraft developed by Boeing during World War II to provide the United States Navy a long-range shipboard multi-purpose aircraft. The XF8B-1 was the heaviest carrier based aircraft built up to to the end of WW2. The "XF8B-1", powered with the P&W Wasp Major 28-cylinder engine, like the Goodyear F2G-2. This machine undertook its maiden flight on 27 Novcmber 1944.

Click here to view photos

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file  (33.8 Megs)

Lockheed F-104D Starfighter Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1F-104D-1 Flight Manual for the Lockheed F-104D Starfighter aircraft, dated 1 January 1960.

Click here to download manual (13 Megs)

TAV-8B Executive Summary

MDC report B0771, dated circa 1987. This is the  TAV-8B Harrier’s executive summary report, containing all you want to know about the TAV-8B program and technology with many nice photos, illustrations and charts!

Click here to download summary (60 Megs)

AV-8B Executive Summary here

North American X-15 Videos

Several harder to find North American X-15 videos.

Click here to download videos in one ZIP file (386.7 Megs)

Many X-15 videos here

North American X-15 Walk Around Photos

Photos of the X-15 in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Credit: Michael Benolkin

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file (2.8 Megs)

North American X-15 Photos

Fifty photos and drawings of the North American X-15 aircraft.

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file (35.5 Megs)

North American X-15 Research Results

 NASA SP-60 report titled X-15 Research Results with Selected Biblography. Written by Wendell H. Stillwell. Dated 1965. Credit: NASA Technical Reports

Click here to download report (3.6 Megs)

North American X-15 Extending the Frontiers of Flight

This NASA booklet describes the genesis of the program, the design and construction of the aircraft, years of research flights and the experiments that flew aboard them. Special Publication book, SP-562. Written by Dennis R. Jenkins, forward by William Dana. Dated January 2007. Credit: NASA

Click here to download booklet (29.5 Megs)

North American X-15 Rocket Plane Flight Log

North American X-15 Rocket Plane Flight Log - Flying the First Wings Into Space. Written by Michelle Evans.

This flight log contains a program summary; basic information about the X-15; a log of all captive flights, aborted flights, and research flights; a timeline which includes important milestone dates such as vehicle rollouts and other significant events; and a glossary of terms.

Click here to download log (1.3 Megs)

North American X-15 First Flight 30th Anniversary Proceedings

Proceedings of the X-15 First Flight 30th Anniversary Celebration. Dated 8 June 1989. NASA conference publication 3105. Held at the NASA Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards California. Credit: NASA Dryden Technical Reports Server

Click here to download proceedings (26 Megs)

Hypersonics Before The Shuttle: A Concise History of the X-15 Research Airplane

A 130-page NASA monograph by Dennis R. Jenkins on the History of the X-15 Research Airplane: From the Monographs in Aerospace History, Number 18. Dated June 2000. Credit: NASA Technical Reports Server

Click here to download the monograph (8.4 Megs)

North American X-15 Design Summary

A copy of the NA 55-221 Design Summary for North American X-15 aircraft, dated 27 November 1959. This is the written proposal for the X-15 Advanced Research Airplane submitted by North American Aviation May 9, 1955. Credit: NASA Technical Reports

Click here to download summary (25.3 Megs)

North American X-15 Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1X-15-1 Flight Manual for the North American X-15 aircraft, dated 29 December 1961. Credit: NASA Technical Reports

Click here to download manual (32.6 Megs)

Convair B/RB-58A Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1B-58A-1 Flight Manual for the Convair B/RB-58A aircraft, dated 27 November 1959.

Click here to download manual (89.6 Megs)

Convair B-58A Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1B-58A-1 Flight Manual for the Convair B-58A aircraft, dated 28 March 1969. This is a better copy of this manual.

Click here to download manual (84.7 Megs)

Republic F-105F Thunderchief Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1F-105F-1 Flight Manual for the Republic F-105F Thunderchief aircraft, dated 1 April 1964.

Click here to download the manual (63.3 Megs)

Republic F-105B Thunderchief Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1F-105B-1 Flight Manual for the Republic F-105B Thunderchief aircraft, dated 30 June 1969.

Click here to download the manual (57.1 Megs)

Lockheed F-104G Flight Manual

A copy of the Lockheed report 1-14404-1 Flight Manual for the Lockheed F-104G aircraft, dated 15 June 1961.

Download here or here or here or here (47.3 Megs)

3D Aircraft Photos

Now for something really different! Growing up in the 1950’s, I loved (and still do) 3d movies and pictures. While the new 3D is much better,the old nostalgia can be relived by viewing the earlier style anaglyph photos. So, here are thirty 3D aircraft photos for your viewing! (Any pair of the older Blue/Red anaglyph glasses will work) Credit: SeattleGuy51

Click here to download 3d photos in one ZIP file (47.8 Megs)

Goodyear ZSG-4 Airship Flight Handbook

Now for something different! A copy of NAVAER 01-95PAC501, Flight Handbook for the Goodyear ZSG-4 Airship, dated 1 April 1955. Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download handbook (14.7 Megs)

General Dynamics F-111E Flight Manual

A copy of the T.O. 1F-111E-1 Flight Manual for the General Dynamics F-111E aircraft, dated 30 June 1973.

Click to download manual (67.1 Megs)

General Dynamics F-111A Flight Manual here

General Dynamics F-111D Flight Manual here

Douglas EF-10B Flight Manual (Later)

A copy of the NAVAIR  01-40FAB-1 Flight Manual for the Douglas EF-10B aircraft. Dated 15 October 1969. Credit: Steve Johnson

Click here to download manual (54.6 Megs)

F-4 Phantom II Sceensaver Photos

The 128 photos I used to make an MDC Screen Saver (By request).

Click here to download photos as on ZIP file (8.3 Megs)

Screensaver post is here

Canadian CF-18 Hornet Walk Around

Canadian CF-18 Hornet Walk Around photos. Aircraft is marked for the Century Years of Flight in Canada. Good detail shots. Credit: Jeff Robinson via Farposst

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file (79.7 Megs)

EA-18G (166944) Growler Walk Around

EA-18G (166944) Growler Walk Around Photos. Nice detail shots of a EA-18G model at an open house. Credit: Bill Spidle

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file (27.1 Megs)

Lockheed S-3B Viking Flight Manual

A copy of the NAVAIR  01-S3AAB-1 Flight Manual for the Lockheed S-3B Viking aircraft. Dated 15 September 2000.

Click here to download manuals (33.3 Megs)

Martin B-26 Marauder Flight Handbook

A poor copy of T.O. 01-35EA-1 Flight handbook for the Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft. Dated March 20 1942. Credit: Original file from Avilogs, clean-up by Aviation Archives

Click here to download manual (109.8 Megs)

Northrop YB-49 Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions Handbook

A copy of AN 01-75FJA-1 for the Erection and Maintenance Instructions on the YB-49 aircraft, dated 28 February 1949. Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download handbook (26.4 Megs)

Northrop YRB-49A Flight Operating Instructions Handbook

  A copy of AN 01-15EBB-1 Flight Operating Instructions Handbook for the Northrop YRB-49A aircraft, dated 15 September 1950. Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download handbook (8.4 Megs)

Northrop XB-35 Erection and Maintenance Instructions

A copy of the Northrop Company’s Report HB-20 for the Erection and Maintenance Instructions on the XB-35 aircraft, dated 1 June 1947. Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download instructions (47 Megs)

McDonnell Douglas F-4C (64-0815) Phantom II Walk Around

McDonnell Douglas F-4C (64-0815) Phantom II Walk Around Photos taken at display in Savannah, GA. Nice detail shots of a “C: model. Credit: Howard Mason, head photo by Mike Egan via JetPhotos

Click here to download photos in one ZIP file (53.3 Megs)

Northrop YB-35,YB-35A and YB-49 Parts Catalog

A copy of the AN 01-15EAA-4 Parts Catalog for the Northrop YB-35,YB-35A and YB-49 aircraft, dated 10 August 1948. Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download catalog (26.6 Megs)

Northrop XB-35 Pilots Handbook

A copy of the Northrop Company’s Report HB-18 for the Pilot’s Handbook on the XB-35 aircraft, dated April 1946. Credit: Dick Barton

Click here to download handbook (17.7 Megs)

AV-8B - The Next Step Brochure

An undated MDC brochure on the AV-8B program, background and VTOL technology. 

Click here to download brochure (143.7 Megs)

The Jet Engine by Rolls Royce Brochure

A very nice brochure from Rolls Royce on the operation and types of jet engines, focusing on Rolls Royce  engines. Dated 1986.

Click here to download brochure (21 Megs)

F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter Brochure #4

A great 32 page brochure touting the greatness of the F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter for the USN/USMC. With many armament, cockpit and mission capabilities sketches and graphs.

Click here to download brochure (254.8 Megs)