The Future of Civil Aviation, as Envisioned in the 1960s

In the early 1960s, Lockheed launched the L-2000 supersonic transport (SST) program and built the mockup shown here. Intended to carry 250 passengers and travel at Mach 2.7 – 3.0, the L-2000 was intended to compete with Europe’s Concorde, but the program was ultimately canceled before any airworthy examples could be built.

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Air-to-Air Artistry: The Story Behind an Iconic Aviation Photo
June 16, 2026

Air-to-Air Artistry: The Story Behind an Iconic Aviation Photo

In the 1970s, Paul Bowen broke the air-to-air photography formula to capture the Cessna Citation over the California coast. This is how he did it.
Northrop HL-10 Lifting Body Aircraft
June 16, 2026

Northrop HL-10 Lifting Body Aircraft

To help study the science of spacecraft reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, NASA flew and evaluated various lifting-body aircraft.
Rent-a-Plane: The Hertz Experiment That Vanished Into Thin Air
May 16, 2026

Rent-a-Plane: The Hertz Experiment That Vanished Into Thin Air

In the late 1950s, Hertz rented planes to anyone with a pilot’s license. Four years later, the program vanished. Here’s why.