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Description
Often, while a specialized airplane design is being readied and tested, the need- if great enough, is met by converting existing machines. While the high altitude designs of the U-2 were being perfected, RB-57 Canberras were given long wings and ducted turbofan power and changed from attack to photographic recon and survey- first for the USAF and later, when the U-2 was ready, the 57's were moved to use by NASA, the FAA and even the Dept. of Interior on environmental mapping studies for many years. So I give the idea of a long wing high flying craft to the flying wing design (tails are for wimps) and go from there. This machine the Lockheed U-8 would follow the infamous U-2 series and would serve as long as the famed "Dragon-Lady" would. The design was a use of fiberglass composites and the ducted turbofan plus a short cockpit pod. This card model is finished in a temperature reducing glare-white and sports NASA markings and the WEATHER mission stripe plus the logo for project ERAST (they love those acronyms at NASA !) which stands for Earth Resources Aerial Survey Test.
NASA had in fact built a high altitude new flying wing using electric motors and solar panels, making a machine of unprecedented range called pathfinder and later centurion. This straight wing machine made of mostly clear composites is also called ERAST but the acronym is different wording behind it.

Description
Often, while a specialized airplane design is being readied and tested, the need- if great enough, is met by converting existing machines. While the high altitude designs of the U-2 were being perfected, RB-57 Canberras were given long wings and ducted turbofan power and changed from attack to photographic recon and survey- first for the USAF and later, when the U-2 was ready, the 57's were moved to use by NASA, the FAA and even the Dept. of Interior on environmental mapping studies for many years. So I give the idea of a long wing high flying craft to the flying wing design (tails are for wimps) and go from there. This machine the Lockheed U-8 would follow the infamous U-2 series and would serve as long as the famed "Dragon-Lady" would. The design was a use of fiberglass composites and the ducted turbofan plus a short cockpit pod. This card model is finished in a temperature reducing glare-white and sports NASA markings and the WEATHER mission stripe plus the logo for project ERAST (they love those acronyms at NASA !) which stands for Earth Resources Aerial Survey Test.
NASA had in fact built a high altitude new flying wing using electric motors and solar panels, making a machine of unprecedented range called pathfinder and later centurion. This straight wing machine made of mostly clear composites is also called ERAST but the acronym is different wording behind it.