Stock Photo - A photo of model airplane builders James B. Newman and Robert L. McDonald preparing for a flight with models of the M2_F2 and a “Mothership”. In 1968 a test flight was made on the Rosamond dry lakebed, Rosamond, California. The original idea of lifting bodies was conceived about 1957 by Dr. Alfred J. Eggers, Jr., then the assistant director for Research and Development Analysis and Planning at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics´ Ames Aeronautical Laboratory, Moffett Field, California. Nose cone studies led to the design known as the M_2, a modified half_cone, rounded on the bottom and flat on top, with a blunt, rounded nose and twin tail fins. To gather flight data on this configuration, models were found to be an effective method. A special twin_engined, 14_foot model “mothership” was used for carrying the M2_F2 model to altitude and a launch, much as was being done with the B_52 for the full_scale lifting bodies. Jim on the left will fly the “mothership” and Bob will take control of the M2_F2 at launch and fly it to a landing on the lakebed.