10/31/2007. This aircraft was built for American Airlines and was
first flown, registered as N9668, on October 15, 1970. It was acquired
by the NASA on July 18, 1974, registered N905NA, and initial used at
Dryden flight Research Center to investigate the problems associated
with wake vortex flow from wide-body jets. In April 1976 it was
delivered to Boeing for conversion to the SCA (Shuttle Carrier
Aircraft).
The first flight with the shuttle attached on top was made on February
18, 1977. On August 13, 1977, the shuttle was launched from the SCA to
glide to an un-powered landing at Edwards AFB, California. When after
a mission the shuttle is forced to land at Edwards AFB, due to bad
weather conditions in Florida, the SCA is to carry the shuttle home.
The visible external modifications are the addition of the single
forward and two aft support assemblies for attachment of the shuttle
and the two fins attached to the tips of the tail plane.
