Aircraft Models

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    While the Bell X-1 was the first to break the sound barrier, the X-15 has the distinction of being the most successful research airplane ever flown. It made the first manned probes into the lower edges of space.  It was designed for speeds of up to 4,000 mph and altitudes of 50 miles, but these goals were exceeded on numerous occasions. Several X-15 pilots earned an "astronaut" rating by attaining altitudes above 50 miles and the X-15 flight program contributed significantly to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects.
     Scott Crossfield participated in the first glided flight from 38,000 ft. on June 8, 1959 and the first powered flight on September 17, 1959. Other significant milestones include mach 3.2 by Joseph A. Walker on May 12, 1960 and the first man to take the X-15 past mach 4, 5, and 6 was Major Robert M. White. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, was also an X-15 test pilot. The final unofficial speed and altitude records for the X-15 were 4,520 mph (mach 6.7) and 354,200 feet (67.08 miles).  Three X-15s were built.  One was destroyed in a crash. The other two are at the National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Air Force Museum.