Northrop HL-10

[Angelo]

This is my scratch built 1/24th scale Northrop HL-10
It was an experimental lifting body, one of three designs used by NASA and the USAF to test lifting body theories.
Some of the discoveries from the tests were used in the design of the Space Shuttle.
The HL-10 also featured in "The Six Million Dollar Man".
It was the aircraft that Steve Austin was flying when it crashed causing the injuries that led to him becoming the Bionic Man.
Though you see the HL-10 being launced from the B-52 in the opening titles of the programe, its a different lift body design that actualy crashes, the
M2F2.







The main body was shaped from balsa wood with acrylic sheet used for the fins and winglets. Isopon P-38 car body filler was used to get the final shape and smooth finish.