Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
F-8 Supercritical Wing Aircraft
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
1. F-8 Supercritical Wing Aircraft Marker
This research aircraft was the first airplane to demonstrate the transonic performance capabilities of a supercritical wing. This airplane demonstrated a drag-rise Mach number of 0.96 at cruise lifting conditions. The resulting technology base permitted an increase in cruise Mach number for transport aircraft from approximately 0.8 to above 0.9. Wings of this type are now routinely utilized on all new military and commercial transport aircraft. Pilot: Tom C. Mcmurtry
second marker:
F-8 Supercritical Wing
Richard T. Whitcomb conducted research at NASA Langley Research Center that led to the invention and patent of the NASA supercritical airfoil.
Supercritical airfoils delay formation and reduce the strength of shock waves over the wings in the transonic realm (just below and just above the speed of sound). This reduces drag, leading to higher cruising speed, improved fuel efficiency, and greater range capability.
Supercritical wings are now commonplace on virtually every modern subsonic commercial transport, military jet, and new helicopter rotor. Research showed that the wing increased the transonic efficiency of the F-8 by as much as 15 percent. Combined with another NASA development, winglets, commercial airliners experience efficiency improvements of approximately 6%.
Rockwell
this page online
Erected by NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.
Location. 34° 57.137′ N, 117° 53.303′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is on Lilly Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Located in front the Armstrong Flight Research Center. Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4800 Lilly Ave, Edwards CA 93523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley, specifically in the Central Valley, in the Mojave Desert, and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-8 DFBW (a few steps from this marker); F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire Aircraft (a few steps from this marker); NF-15B (within shouting distance of this marker); X-29 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed F-104 (within shouting distance of this marker); HiMAT (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); HL-10 Lifting Body (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
2. F-8 Supercritical Wing - Marker 2
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
3. F-8 Supercritical Wing Aircraft and Marker 1
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2018
4. F-8 Supercritical Wing and Marker 2
courtesy NASA
5. Tom McMurtry, Test Pilot, and TF-8A Crusader Supercritical Wing aircraft
courtesy NASA
6. Richard T. Whitcomb, Aviation Pioneer
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 833 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
