This 1949 NACA Muroc Flight Test Unit photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 #1 at the South Base, Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft was turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics on 31 August 1951 after completing the Douglas contractor test flights. At this time, the aircraft was only fitted with a jet engine. Although given the call sign ''NACA 143,'' it was only flown once by the NACA (on 17 September 1956) after being converted to all-rocket power.