EC04-0197-4 NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's workhorse B-52B launch aircraft, known as NASA 008, displays new markings. ''Dryden Flight Research Center'' appears in black lettering and ''NASA'' is painted in larger red script on the starboard right side of the nose. The new livery reflects for the first time identification of the workhorse aircraft as a NASA Dryden asset. Most of the aircraft's markings are the original U.S. Air Force markings dating back to the mid-1950's. A prominent yellow band with ''NASA''in black on the aircraft's vertical tail dates back to that time, and has been used on many NASA aircraft from the Agency's birth in 1958 through the early 1970's. NASA 008 turns 50 years old in 2005. The historical aircraft's last research flight was the launch of the third scramjet-powered X-43A. The B-52B was formally retired on December 17, 2004. June 15, 2004 NASA Photo / Tony Landis B-52 Project Description
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