Description: At DiligentiaGraphs our focus is to source out the best, authentic items and give you expedient and just service. Our goal is to deliver a five-star experience through prompt shipping and communication. Thank you for viewing our auction and feel free to ask any questions. The items for sale are to honor the veterans who served our nation and to expose their stories which might otherwise be lesser known. Hand signed 4x6 inch photo by NASA pilot, Don Mallick. Per Wikipedia: Mallick was a research pilot with NASA Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center from 1963 until 1981. He later became Deputy Chief for the Dryden Aircraft Operations Division, serving in a management position with some limited research and support flying.When Mallick joined NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in 1963, it was at the peak of flight testing, including rocket powered aircraft, and all of the latest developments from that era. Mallick was initially assigned to the Lockheed JetStar Prop-Fan, which flew numerous test programs for over twenty years, as well as Laminar Flow Wing programs. One of JetStar's major programs was developing the Microwave ILS used for the Space Shuttle's landings and recoveries. In the summer of 1964, Mallick enrolled at the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS), located at Edwards Air Force Base near NASA. He completed the six month TPS program and returned to Dryden to continue with his duties. Over the years at Dryden, Mallick participated in dozens of programs, but the three of “national interest” were: LLRV (Lunar Landing Research Vehicle), a Project Apollo era program to build a simulator for the Moon landings, XB-70, a prototype version of the planned B-70 nuclear-armed, deep-penetration strategic bomber, designed in the late 1950s by North American Aviation (NAA). The six-engined Valkyrie was capable of cruising for thousands of miles at Mach 3+ while flying at 70,000 feet (21,000 m), and NASA YF-12 Blackbird program, which following its retirement by the USAF, served as a research aircraft for NASA to develop several significant improvements for future supersonic aircraft. NASA YG-12 program lasted almost ten years with numerous tests conducted – AWACS control of supersonic aircraft, Cooperative Airframe-Propulsion Control System (CAPCS), Central Airborne Performance Analyzer (CAPA) that relayed engine data to the pilots, structures, heating, stability and control, etc. During the mid-1960s Mallick was the chief project pilot on NASA's Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV). The LLRV helped develop the piloting procedures that were used during the final portions of the lunar landings. Mallick made a flight in NASA's lightweight M2-F1 Lifting Body on January 30, 1964. In 1965, a fourth and final child was added to the family - son Darren Kent Mallick. In August 1967, Mallick was promoted to Chief Pilot of NASA Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center. He was project pilot on the YF-12 and XB-70A research programs of the late 1960s and 1970s. Although he was promoted later in his career, the Chief Pilot's position was his favorite assignment. As such, he oversaw the different flight test programs at Dryden, was responsible for the safety of the pilots, as well as for a successful completion of the various test programs. Mallick served 17 years as a NASA Chief Pilot, and did not lose one pilot during that time. He considered that to be one of the greatest accomplishments of his career! In 1984, Mallick was promoted to Deputy Chief of Dryden's Aircraft Operations Division. He served in this position until his retirement in 1987. Mallick had accumulated over 11,000 flight hours in 125 different aircraft. Shipping is done within 24 hours of received payment. We ship our items in 6X9 envelopes, sent first class with tracking and well packed. We do our best to accommodate special shipping requests as needed. We do accept returns within 14 days that has been communicated and approved. We have a 15% fee on items that are restocked and do pay for return shipping. Refunds are given once items are returned in original condition. On all of our sold items we donate a percentage of profits to the Wounded Warrior project and to World War II museum in New Orleans, LA.
Price: 39.99 USD
Location: Mosheim, Tennessee
End Time: 2025-02-15T02:05:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Space
Signed by: Don Mallick
Signed: Yes
Autograph Authentication: Not Authenticated
Original/Reproduction: Original
