E-26140Once a new research vehicle is delivered to Dryden from the contractor, it must undergo months of ground checkout before making its first flight. The X-24B lifting body is no exception. Here it is shown undergoing landing gear drop tests. As part of the modifications to convert the vehicle from the X-24A configuration, the nose gear from an F11F-1 was retrofitted to the X-24B. In these tests, the X-24B's nose was raised a measured distance above the hangar floor an engineer can be seen holding a tape measure, and then released, allowing the nose gear to hit the floor. This tested the landing gear's ability to withstand the shock of touchdown, without sustaining damage to it or the aircraft's structure. 1973 NASA Photo
