X-15/B-52 MATING AND FIRST CAPTIVE FLIGHT, EDWARDS AFB CALIFORNIA, 5 AND 10 MARCH 1959 Part 2

Description

Summary: North American film demonstrates the mating of the X-15 to the B-52 carrier plane and includes scenes of the X-15/B-52 taxi, takeoff, aerial compatibility, approach and landing. MCU FV dolly left past B-52, with X-15 under right wing, parked on flight line at Edwards AFB -- a checkout van is parked in front of the aircraft. 18' MS right FV B-52, with X-15 under right wing, on flight line -- ground crew and checkout equipment visible. 29' MS right SV X-15 on flight line under right wing of B-52 -- North American technicians are checking out the research aircraft. 39' CU man operating the hydraulic lift hand control unit. 48' Series of shots of X-15 on hydraulic lift being mated to pylon under right wing of B-52 carrier aircraft. 122' Several shots of X-15 pilot, Scott Crossfield, and North American test engineers in conference prior to the first flight. 10 March 1959. 133' MS right SV nose of X-15 -- North American test pilot, Scott Crossfield, wearing a special pressure suit, climbs up maintenance stand ladder into cockpit of X-15. 145' MCU left FV technicians closing X-15 canopy. 158' MS SV North American ground control vehicle moving toward and out camera left -- B-52, with X-15 under right wing, on flight line in bg. 164' Several shots of B-52, with X-15, taxiing toward runway at Edwards AFB. 201' MS pan right, B-52, with the X-15, starting takeoff run -- aircraft goes out camera right. 213' ELS to MS pan right, B-52 carrier aircraft climbing above runway -- aircraft goes out upper frame when opposite camera. 227' AMS right SV low angle, X-15 under right wing of B-52. 231' AMS right SV, showing dyed water being released from X-15 jettison line to check the spray pattern. 240' Several AMS's left RV dyed water flowing out of X-15 Jettison line. 252' AMCU right SV spray pattern of dyed water from Jettison line of X-15. 266' ELS low angle, pan left with B-52 and three escort chase planes forming contrails at high altitude -- all four aircraft go out camera right. 270' AMS right SV low angle of B-52 carrier aircraft with X-15 -- an F-100 chase plane is flying below and to the right of the aircraft. 275' AMCU right SV dyed water emitting from Jettison line of X-15 under wing of B-52. 281' ACU right SV X-15 under right wing of B-52 -- B-52 right wing inboard engine pod in fg. 288' AMS right SV B-52, with the X-15, flying at high altitude -- contrails are forming behind the plane -- B-52 banks left and right, then levels out. 312' ACU right SV X-15 under right wing of B-52 carrier aircraft. 319' AMS right SV X-15 under right wing of B-52 -- terrain is visible. 320' ALS right SV B-52 carrier aircraft -- F-100 chase plane is flying below and alongside the aircraft -- landing gear extended on B-52; terrain visible. 330' ACU left RV X-15 under right wing of B-52 carrier aircraft, with landing skids extended. 337' ALS right SV B-52, with X-15 under right wing, descending toward runway at Edwards AFB. 340' AMLS right SV B-52, with X-15 under right wing, making final approach and landing on runway at Edwards AFB -- F-100F chase plane is flying above and to the right of the aircraft. 354' LS to MCU to LS pan right, B-52 with X-15 landing on runway at Edwards AFB -- F-100F chase plane is flying above. 364' LS to CU to LS pan right, B-52 with X-15 rolling on runway after touchdown, aircraft deploys drag chute after passing camera -- a line of vehicles move out from bg toward aircraft as it slows down. 387' Several MS's of ground crew positioning auxiliary power units beside B- 52 on flight line. 390' MS two ground crewmen connecting an auxiliary power unit hose in bomb bay of B-52. 392' MS right FV low angle, several men speaking with Scott Crossfield, who is seated in X-15, under the wing of B-52. 394' MCU FV low angle, X-15 attached to pylon under right wing of B-52 on flight line. 397' MS several auxiliary power units under left wing engine of B-52. 404' MS pan right, group of North American technicians standing and talking on flight line. 411' MS & CU right FV low angle as North American technicians help Scott Crossfield, who is seated in cockpit of X-15, put on his high altitude helmet. 426' MS a number of North American technicians standing in front of the guidance vehicle -- several motion picture cameramen are in scene; fire truck in left bg. 429' MS three motion picture cameramen on the flight line -- one using a tripod, others have their cameras mounted on platforms on top of station wagons. 430' Total footage in reel. Good (Basic: Mas Koda)

Collection

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

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities