Ellington Joint Reserve Base has served this country with distinction since its founding in 1917. Established shortly after America entered World War I, the field was named in honor of Lt. Eric Ellington, a U.S. Army aviator who tragically lost his life in a 1913 crash. Originally one of thirty-two Air Service training camps, Ellington quickly became a cornerstone of military aviation in Texas.
Over the decades, Ellington has adapted to meet the evolving needs of national defense and aerospace innovation. Today it hosts a diverse array of military and federal units, including the 147th Attack Wing (Texas Air National Guard), 75th Innovation Command (Army), Reserve Center Houston (Navy), 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, and Coast Guard Air Station Houston.
It is also home to NASA’s fleet of Northrop T-38 Talons, sleek supersonic trainers that have shaped generations of astronauts. From Mercury and Gemini to Artemis, Ellington’s runways have echoed with the footsteps of spacefarers preparing to leave Earth behind. These Talons serve as chase planes, training platforms, and transport aircraft, operated under the aegis of the nearby Johnson Space Center.
Ellington’s legacy is more than military aviation, it’s a living chronicle of American aerospace ambition. From its early days training World War I pilots to its pivotal role in Cold War readiness, Ellington evolved into a launchpad for space exploration. It has shaped generations of astronauts, supported NASA’s flight operations, and stood as a symbol of Houston’s deep ties to both defense and discovery.
NASA
Aero Spacelines Super Guppy
NASA’s Super Guppy, N941NA, departs Ellington Field on March 8, 2021. With a 111-foot-long cargo bay and a hinged nose for direct loading, this rare turboprop hauler continues to move spaceflight’s biggest components—just as it did for Apollo, Skylab, and now Artemis.
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NASA’s Super Guppy, N941NA, departs Ellington Field on March 8, 2021. For over three decades, this bulbous cargo giant has hauled spaceflight’s biggest dreams—from Apollo to Artemis.
NASA N941NA Super Guppy: Custom-built using components from the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, this aircraft features a dramatically enlarged fuselage and upgraded turboprop engines. Its hinged nose and cavernous cargo bay allow it to transport oversized aerospace payloads that few other aircraft could ever accommodate. A true one-of-a-kind hauler, the Super Guppy continues to serve NASA’s most ambitious missions.
Capture this rare engineering marvel in flight—prints available now.
NASA N941NA Super Guppy: Captured on March 8, 2021, this image shows the aircraft’s powerful Pratt & Whitney T34-P-7WA turboprops generating visible propeller tip vortices during takeoff from Ellington Field. With its oversized fuselage and hinged nose, the Super Guppy remains one of NASA’s most distinctive haulers, designed to carry massive aerospace components across the country.
Preserve this rare moment of lift and legacy—prints available now.
NASA N941NA Super Guppy: When oversized aerospace cargo needs to move, this aircraft answers the call. Whether transporting two T-38 Talons or the full Space Shuttle cockpit, the Super Guppy’s cavernous fuselage and hinged nose make it the only aircraft in the world capable of the job. Its unique design continues to serve NASA’s most demanding missions.
NASA’s N941NA Super Guppy, serial number 0004, remains the only airworthy example of its kind. Based at El Paso International Airport, this bulbous cargo aircraft continues to serve NASA by transporting oversized aerospace components, just as it did for Apollo, Skylab, and now Artemis. Its unique hinged nose and cavernous fuselage make it a one-of-a-kind hauler in the skies.
Preserve this rare moment in motion—Super Guppy prints available now.
NASA
Northrop T-38 Talon
NASA Northrop T-38 Talon N907NA on approach for a touch-and-go at Ellington Field. As the world’s first supersonic two-seat jet trainer, the T-38 has been integral to NASA’s astronaut corps since the 1960s. Pilots train in navigation, reaction time, problem-solving, and crew coordination—skills essential for spaceflight readiness. Its sleek profile and high-performance capabilities make it a cornerstone of NASA’s flight operations.
Capture this moment of precision and legacy. NASA T-38 prints available now.
NASA Northrop T-38 Talon N904NA banks in for landing at Ellington Field, its narrow, shapely fuselage on full display. A sleek symbol of astronaut training and supersonic precision, the Talon remains a vital part of NASA’s flight operations.
Purchase a print and bring home the NASA T-38 legacy of high-performance flight.
NASA Northrop T-38 Talon N907NA in a banked turn for a touch-and-go at Ellington Field. A fixture of astronaut training for over three decades, the T-38 remains a symbol of precision, speed, and spaceflight readiness.
Purchase a print and celebrate the legacy of NASA’s supersonic trainer.
NASA Northrop T-38 Talon N966NA over Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, showcasing the iconic white and two-tone blue paint scheme. The NASA insignia stands proud on the tail, a symbol of decades of astronaut training and supersonic precision.
T-38 Talon N966NA over Ellington—NASA’s colors in motion.Prints available now.