X-2 INCIDENT Part 4

Description

Summary: The thirteenth and final powered flight of the Bell X-2 research aircraft. MS to CU to MS pan right with B-50, carrying X-2, taking off and climbing -- B-50 retracts gear and flies out camera right. 37': Blank footage. 38': CU to LS high angle, from camera mounted in the bomb bay of B-50, showing release of X-2. 50': Blank footage. 52': LS is right SV low angle, X-2 in flight -- as the aircraft gains altitude, contrails form behind the p1ane. LS to ELS low angle, pan right with X-2 in flight -- as it gains altitude, contrails form behind it. 149': Blank footage. 155': MS & CU right SV model of X-2 mounted on a pylon stand -- a man is standing behind the model looking down at it. 185': Blank footage. 187': CU right SV low angle, model of the X-2 mounted on a pylon stand -- model starts to make 360 degree rolls to simulate the X-2 in uncontrollable flight. 213': Blank footage. 218': MS high angle from camera in aircraft flying over crash site, showing the X-2's initial impact point and pieces of wreckage streen along the desert. 246': Blank footage. 272': END TITLE: 279': ENGINEERING REPORT. X-2 INCIDENT. 12': Blank footage. 30': MS right SV low angle of B-50 in flight with the X-2 -- LOX vapor is streaming from the X-2 overflow pipe. 73': Blank footage. 84': MS to LS right SV X-2 in flight -- rocket engine is started -- aircraft noses up and starts climbing into bg, camera right. 139': Blank footage. 154': MS's of model of X-2 mounted on a pylon stand -- man standing next to the model points out the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and aileron control surfaces, and demonstrates how the movement of the control surfaces causes the aircraft to reacts. 315': Blank footage. 345': Man continues to demonstrate, with the model of the X-2, how the movement of the control surfaces would cause the aircraft to react. 438': Blank footage. Stop-frame photography from a cockpit camera, mounted above and behind the left shoulder of the pilot, Capt. Milburn G. Apt, in the X-2, showing the back of the pilot's head, the air speed indicator, mach meter, and some of the engine instruments. Film shows the instruments from the time of descent by the carrier aircraft to buildup drop speed, launch, release of the X-2, powered flight, maximum limit of the mach meter, 3.05, and the deceleration of the plane until ejection of the escape capsule. 969': Blank footage. 992': MCU FV of the escape capsule lying on its side with its nose telescoped in -- ribbon chute is draped over a small bush at camera left. An H-21 helicopter is in bg with rotors turning and a man is kneeling behind the escape capsule -- cockpit of the escape capsule is in deep shadow. 1010': CU left FV of the escape capsule lying on its side showing the bottom and telescoped nose -- ribbon chute is draped over a small bush at left bg. 1027': Blank footage. Good (Basic: Orig Koda)

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities