Space History Photo: Skyrocket In Flight With F-86 Chase Plane

The Skyrocket and F-86 Chase plane are two early examples of swept wing airfoils. CREDIT: NACA. View full size image

In this historic photo from the U.S. space agency, this mid-1950s photograph shows the Douglas D-558-2 and the North American F-86 Sabre chase aircraft in flight. Both aircraft display early examples of swept wing airfoils.

The National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) was a precursor to NASA. NACA was created by Congress in 1915.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).