The prototype aircraft, DC-8-11 (c/n 45252, registered N8008D), ... Douglas DC-8 N8008D accompanied by a U.S. Air Force Cessna T-37 chase plane during a test flight near Edwards Air Force Base, ...

Described by the American space agency as the “largest flying science laboratory in the world”, the modified DC-8 airliner was in service with NASA for 37 years, supporting a wide range of ...