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| Bell X-2 Starbuster |
The X-2 was a swept-wing,
rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly faster than three times the speed
of sound. Built by Bell Aircraft Co. for NACA (now NASA) and the U.S. Air
Force, it was flown to investigate the problems of aerodynamic heating as
well as stability and control effectiveness at high altitudes and speeds
in excess of Mach 3. There were two X-2s built, constructed of K-monel
steel, with an ejectable nose capsule rather than an ejection seat, and
skid type landing gear to make room for more fuel. It was air-launched
from a modified Boeing B-50 Superfortress bomber.
The X-2 #1 (46-674) made its first unpowered glide flight on
Aug. 5 1954. This aircraft made a total of seventeen flights before it was
lost on Sept. 27 1956. Its pilot, Capt. Milburn Apt, USAF, had flown to a
record speed of Mach 3.2 or 2,094 mph thereby becoming the first person to
exceed Mach 3. The X-2 #2 (46-675) was lost in an inflight
explosion while at the Bell plant during captive flight trials and was
jettisoned into Lake Ontario in 1953. |
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No. ABSCD-BA. Only $139.95 |
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