Title: Ames-Dryden AD-1 Oblique Wing Research Program
Designer: Unknown
Year it was designed: circa 1979
Explanation or story behind the patch: Between December 1979 and August 1982, NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility and NASA Ames Research Center conducted a low-cost flight program with a low-speed, manned oblique-wing research aircraft. Two project pilots and 15 guest pilots flew the AD-1 to demonstrate the flight and handling characteristics of the configuration in sweep angles from zero to 60 degrees. Pilot evaluations indicated that acceptable handling qualities were experienced at up to 50-degrees of wing sweep. The aircraft, built by Ames Industrial Corporation, arrived at NASA Dryden on 12 March 1979. Following 79 flights, it was placed in storage at Dryden on 11 August 1982. It was eventually transferred to NASA Ames for use as a museum display. The project patch features a plan view of the airplane with the wing shown at takeoff/landing position, and an outline of the wing pivoted to its maximum angle.
For more information on the AD-1 Oblique Wing Research Program, click https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-019-DFRC.html