R4D Skytrain

R4D Skytrain


The R4D Skytrain was one of the work horses for NACA and NASA at Edwards AFB
spanning a time from 1952 to 1984. Designated R4D by the Navy the aircraft
was called C-47 by the Army, DC-3 by Douglas Aircraft and "Gooney Bird" by
all others. 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.