Forschungs- und Experimentalflugzeug

Raketenflugzeug North American X-15, der NASA und US Air Force

Dating

1972 Vorbild: 1959 - 1963

Persons

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration (1958), Betreiber/in Vorbild, archivalisch belegt

Verkehrshaus der Schweiz (Henry Wydler) (1970), Modellbauer/in, archivalisch belegt

North American Aviation Company (1928 - 1996), Hersteller/in Vorbild, archivalisch belegt

US Air Force, Betreiber/in Vorbild, archivalisch belegt

Description

Forschungs- und Experimentalflugzeug. Raketenflugzeug North American X-15, der NASA und US Air Force Vorbild: Einsätze: 1960 - 1963, V. max. : 4104 mph, Probeflüge bereits 1959. Das Raketenflugzeug X-15 kann als Vorläufer eines Raumschiffes betrachtet werden. 3 Lagenkontrolle über Düsen wie in heutigen Raumschiffen, entsprechendes Navigationssystem. Erreichte Höhen bis 334200 feet

Signature / Inscription

Signatur / Beschriftung: Beschriftung: "U.S. Air Force / USAF", "66671", "NASA"

Object type

Object (three-dimensional)

Geography

Territorium: USA

Material / Technique

Kunststoff

Dimensions

163 x 68 x 43 cm

Inventory number

VHS-4118

Legend

Into Space on Wings – North American X-15 Rocket-Powered Aircraft, USA 1959 (Model 1:10) Three versions of the American research aircraft X-15 were built, all slightly different to one another. The X-15 was carried into the sky by a B-52 bomber and then released, at which point the rocket drive would ignite and the aircraft would accelerate to a speed of up to 7274 km/h. In order to save space and reduce the weight, the main landing gear consisted of skids, meaning that the aircraft could only land on dried-out salt lakes. The experience gained from the X-15 was also put to use in the Apollo lunar missions. Soaring on the X-15’s two wings, pilot Joe Walker reached a height of more than 100 km, crossing the boundary where space begins as defined by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and making him an astronaut. Also among the twelve X-15 pilots was Neil Armstrong, who went on to become the first man on the moon. In 1968, the X-15 made its 199th and final flight.