X-15A-2, Edwards AFB, California Reel 1 · Part 1

Description

Covers test flights of X-15A (No.2) after being painted with white ablative coating and fitted with ramjet engine beneath tail. Includes painting of aircraft, engine tests, mating to NB-52B, pilot Maj William J. Knight boarding and leaving X-15A, and effects of heat on aircraft following 4534 mph flight. Note: X-15A is black in Reel 1 only. Reel 1 - 1' X-15 Project emblem and AFFTC insignia on NB-52B. 25' X-15A on NB-52B during fueling. 161' Pilot leaving van, boarding X-15A, also activity around X-15A intercut with NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out. 412' Pilot and others around X-15A after landing. 538' X-15A in flight, jettisoning dummy ramjet engine and landing on dry lake bed. 586' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight, and launch of X-15A. 655' X-15A landing on dry lake bed. 727' Dummy ramjet engine falling by parachute. 792' X-15A with dummy ramjet engine on NB-52B. 808' Pilot boarding X-15A. 833' NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out and taking off. 870' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight, and launch of X-15A. 917' X-15A in flight, jettisoning dummy ramjet engine, and landing on dry lake bed. 957' Dummy ramjet engine falling by parachute. 998' Total footage in reel. Reel 2 - 1' Activity around X-15A on NB-52B. 58' Pilot walking to and boarding X-15A. 112' CUs NB-52B engines. 133' NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out and taking off. 257' X-15A as seen from NB-52B. 657' NB-52 B with X-15A in flight and on approach. 1045' Total footage in reel. Reel 3 - 1' X-15A as seen from NB-52B. 398' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight, and captive firing test of ramjet engine. 764' Total footage in reel. Reel 4 - 1' Workers sanding X-15A in paint shop. 259' X-15A in paint shop being towed by tug to hangar, and in hangar. 521' Total footage in reel. Reel 5 - 1' Tug towing X-15A to thrust test stand and positioning X-15A for test. 232' Pilot boarding X-15A for engine test. 293 Tug towing X-15A to NB-52B, mating of X-15A to NB-52B, and workers attaching ramjet engine to X-15A. 778' NB-52B with X-15A taking off. 904' X-15A landing on dry lake bed. 925' Activity around X-15A on NB-52B. 961' NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out. 1025' Total footage in reel. Reel 6 - 1' X-15A as seen from NB-52B. 411' NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out and taking off. 557' AVs X-15A on approach. 595' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight, and launch of X-15A. 698' Pilot leaving X-15A after landing. 703' Total footage in reel. Reel 7 - 1' CUs NB-52B engines. 18' Pilot leaving van, and in X-15A cockpit; also shows activity around X-15A. 91' NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out. 110' Pilot in X-15A after landing and walking from aircraft. 128' CUs NB-52B engines. 148' Pilot boarding X-15A, and activity around aircraft. 192' NB-52B with X-15A taxiing out and taking off. 223' X-15A on dry lake bed, pilot talking with personnel and remaining fuel being expended. 260' X-15A launch symbols on side of NB-52B. 268' CUs NB-52B engines. 277' Pilot in X-15A. 289' NB-52B with X-15A parked, taxiing out, and taking off. 327' X-15A landing on dry lake bed. 355' NB-52B with X-15A in flight, and launch of X-15A. 452' Total footage in reel. Reel 8 - 1' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight (underexposed). 207' X-15A as seen from NB-52B, and launch of X-15A. 606' AVs NB-52B with X-15A taking off. 713' X-15A after landing, and recovery crew arriving at aircraft. 85O' X-15A landing on dry lake bed. 900' Total footage in reel. Reel 9 - 1' Workers sanding X-15A in paint shop. 140' X-15A after painting. 170' Tug towing X-15A from paint shop to hangar. 227' X-15A on scales. 275' X-15A being positioned for engine test, and test in progress. 330' Tug towing X-15A to NB-52B. 382' X-15A being mated to NB-52B, and ramjet engine being attached to X-15A. 468' X-15A during fueling. 521' Maj William J. Knight boarding X-15A. 592' NB-52B with X-15A parked, taxiing out, and taking off. 641' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight. 678' X-15A as seen from NB-52B, and launch of X-15A. 709' AVs NB-52B with X-15A in flight, and launch of X-15A. 733' AVs X-15A landing on dry lake bed. 766' X-15A after landing; recovery team opening canopy, Maj Knight leaving aircraft, and talking with people; also, shows firefighters purging propulsion system. 880' Effect of hypersonic flight on X-15A nose, antenna, leading edges and control surfaces. 1000' Total footage in reel.

Collection

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

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities