 
A. Scott Crossfield, test pilot
A. Scott Crossfield with the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket after his record-breaking Mach 2 flight, Nov. 20, 1953. In 1993, NASA awarded him the Distinguished Public Service Medal for his contributions to aeronautics and aviation for 50 years. (Courtesy NASA photo)
|
A. Scott ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
Bell X-1A rocket plane
The Bell X-1A in flight. Maj. Chuck Yeager piloted the rocket plane to a top speed of Mach 2.44 or 1,650 mph Dec. 12, 1953. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
Bell X-1A ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
X-1A in flight over Rogers Dry Lake
X-1A in flight over Rogers Dry Lake, Calif., in 1953. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
X-1A in flight ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
Maj. Charles "Chuck" Yeager and the Bell X-1A
Maj. Charles "Chuck" Yeager and the Bell X-1A at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Yeager reached speed of Mach 2.44, at an altitude of 75,000 feet on Dec. 12, 1953, a speed record at the time. It wasn't a perfect flight -- the aircraft encountered an inertial coupling phenomenon and went out of control. Yeager was able to recover it and return to the base. (Courtesy photo)
|
Maj. Charles ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
XF-104, prototype for the F-104 Starfighter
The XF-104 from Lockheed taxis on Rogers Dry Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. in the 1950s. The XF-104 is distinguished by the lack of inlet shock cones and the short fuselage. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
XF-104, ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
XF-104, prototype for the F-104 Starfighter
The prototype for the world's first Mach 2 fighter, the XF-104 from Lockheed, made its first flight Feb. 28, 1954, at Edward Air Force Base, Calif. (Courtesy photo)
|
XF-104, ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
Bell X-2
The Bell X-2 became the first aircraft to climb above 100,000 feet and exceed Mach 3 in September 1956. (Courtesy photo)
|
Bell X-2
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
|
 
X-2 pilots, Capts. Iven Kinchloe and Mel Apt
Capts. Iven C. Kinchloe (left) and Mel Apt pose with the Bell X-2 rocket-powered aircraft. Captain Kinchloe climbed to 126,200 feet altitude in the X-2 Sept. 7, 1956. Captain Apt reached a speed of Mach 3.2 -- three times the speed of sound -- in the aircraft before it tumbled out of control and he was killed attempting to bail out on Sept. 27, 1956. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
X-2 pilots, ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
X-2 rocket plane dropped from mothership
An X-2 rocket plane is dropped from the B-50 Superfortress mothership in the mid-1950s. (Courtesy NASA photo)
|
X-2 rocket ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
X-15 rocket plane after a mission
One of three X-15 rocket planes from North American rests on Rogers Dry Lake, Calif. in September 1961, following a mission. The B-52 launch aircraft flies overhead. (Courtesy NASA photo)
|
X-15 rocket ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/14/2008
|
|
|
 
B-58 Hustler, the first Mach 2 bomber
The B-58 Hustler, the world's first Mach 2 bomber, was tested at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in the late 1950s and early 1960s, (Courtesy photo)
|
B-58 Hustler, ...
Download Full Image
E-mail a friend
Posted: 1/11/2008
|
|
|
| | | |
