12 North American X-15-1
In the late 1960s, the X-15 program was reaching its end. With most of the high speed/high altitude testing completed, the X-15 was now being used for high altitude scientific research, as part of its Phase 8 commitment.
Sadly, on 15 November 1967, U.S. Air Force test pilot Major Michael J. Adams was killed during X-15 Flight 191 when X-15-3 (serial 56-6672) entered a hypersonic spin while descending, then oscillated violently as aerodynamic forces increased after re-entry. As his aircraft’s flight control system operated the control surfaces to their limits, acceleration built to 15 g (150 m/s2) vertical and 8.0 g (78 m/s2) lateral. The airframe broke apart at 60,000 feet (18 km) altitude, scattering the X-15’s wreckage for 50 square miles (130 km2). Major Adams was posthumously awarded Air Force astronaut wings for his final flight in X-15-3, which had reached an altitude of 50.4 miles (81.1 km).
In this image, X-15-1 returns from a scientific experiment flight. Note the wingtip pod designed to carry a variety of scientific experiments. X-15-1 and X-15A-2 were also modified to carry onboard telescopes and sensory devices. The pick-up truck is based on one of Makaleves excellent Lego vehicles.
12 North American X-15-1
In the late 1960s, the X-15 program was reaching its end. With most of the high speed/high altitude testing completed, the X-15 was now being used for high altitude scientific research, as part of its Phase 8 commitment.
Sadly, on 15 November 1967, U.S. Air Force test pilot Major Michael J. Adams was killed during X-15 Flight 191 when X-15-3 (serial 56-6672) entered a hypersonic spin while descending, then oscillated violently as aerodynamic forces increased after re-entry. As his aircraft’s flight control system operated the control surfaces to their limits, acceleration built to 15 g (150 m/s2) vertical and 8.0 g (78 m/s2) lateral. The airframe broke apart at 60,000 feet (18 km) altitude, scattering the X-15’s wreckage for 50 square miles (130 km2). Major Adams was posthumously awarded Air Force astronaut wings for his final flight in X-15-3, which had reached an altitude of 50.4 miles (81.1 km).
In this image, X-15-1 returns from a scientific experiment flight. Note the wingtip pod designed to carry a variety of scientific experiments. X-15-1 and X-15A-2 were also modified to carry onboard telescopes and sensory devices. The pick-up truck is based on one of Makaleves excellent Lego vehicles.