NORTH AMERICAN'S X-15 - The Early Years of the World's First Space Plane!

[@billenright2788]

Great stuff. As a kid the X-15, the Blackbird and the B-70 were the bad boys of airplanes. Still are.

[@raynus1160]

The F-104 is worthy of honorable mention.

[@billenright2788]

@@raynus1160 First time i ever saw one was on an episode of "I Dream of Jeannie".

[@unclefart5527]

You're kidding? Not Star Trek? @@billenright2788

[@maxsmodels]

Greatest X program of them all...and that is saying something.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed, and thanks for watching!

[@lancerevell5979]

My all-time favorite X-plane! I had the flawed Aurora model kit as a kid in the early 1970s.

[@mattdaugherty7865]

I remember hearing the story about the explosion Scott Crossfield experienced in the X-15 engine test where his pants had gotten wet from the fire being extinguished by fire crews. He had been interviewed by a reporter and had mentioned that his pants had gotten wet, so in the printed story the reporter wrote something like "Space ship explodes, Pilot wets pants"! What an exciting yet dangerous time for aviation!

[@rjosephobrien]

I really enjoyed this episode. In my teens I was absolutely captivated by the X-15. I remember well that Revell kit. We lived in Palmdale and dad worked for GE at Edwards AFB. What an era to grow up in!! Thank you Mike!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed on our era, and 'appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@martinpennock9430]

Fantastic episode Mr Machat!! My favorite X plane ever!! Built numerous models of it as a kid. Wonderfully presented as always. Many facts I was not aware of. You are the best!!! As always God bless you and your family! Thanks for everything you do! Take care always Sir! 😊

[@joeschenk8400]

Great episode. My first memory of the X-15 as a kid is the movie X-15 with Charles Bronson but true history is better than Hollywood fiction.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

That movie had many flaws, but it is still a favorite of mine just because it features the X-15. And even with all its flaws, it is still much better than when they portrayed the X-15 in the more recent movie "First Man." One of the great things about the original movie X-15 is that it was the first big screen appearance of Mary Tyler Moore, along with featuring narration by James Stewart. I'll actually be hosting a showing of this movie on August 19th at the Angelo M. Iacoboni Library in Lakewood, California. It should be a lot of fun.

[@stichter51]

Fascinating episode, Mike. Have you ever considered doing one on the various motherships used in different programs?

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Great suggestion, thanks!

[@tedsmith6137]

I seem to remember an interview with one of the pilots (Bill Dana?) after his first flight using the XLR-99. Going from 12,000 of the XLR-11's to 56,000lb thrust he said " Test pilots are not allowed to be scared. But I was very 'impressed' "

[@wkelly3053]

Excellent. I built the offbeat Aurora kit as a kid, and later the Revell kit. Great memories and a powerful presentation.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@bas1010]

Outstanding production Mike, thanks!

[@motorTranz]

This was an excellent documentary as always! Thanks for sharing this Mike!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@ELMS]

Excellent presentation, Mike. Your artwork adds so much to this!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@jongoffinet8511]

Love all your videos, but this is the best. Always loved the SR71 Blackbird, but the X15 was the tops for me. Had numerous models and many pictures of the x15 in flight on my wall. Just an amazing machine!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@glennweaver3014]

Wonderful episode, Mike. The X-15, its pilots, and the support aircraft are impressive in every sense of the word. So many hours of preparation for just a few minutes of actual flight...but all worth it for what was to come later in the space program. Enjoyed the model kits too!

[@johnplaninac9980]

The photos and the artwork,are amazing and the information on the X-15 is amazing great work.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks John!

[@Nedski42YT]

Methinks the Aurora X-15 Satelloid Rocket Plane model was used the the 1959 Japanese science fiction movie "Battle in Outer Space." Towards the end of the movie the Earth forces send their latest weapon against the invading aliens, dozens of rocket planes that looks just like the Aurora model. I remember seeing this movie as a kid back in the 1960's and recognizing the X-15!

[@Airsally]

Fantastic! Enjoyed this one ,cant wait for part 2.

[@mortdk]

It's almost unbelievable what was achieved with the X-15 project - even today. And it's incredible that it was done with 1950s technology. We just have no comparable vessel to this day. What a fascinating story. And what a fascinating presentation with all the historic images and the artistic renderings.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@alanpareis734]

Thanks, can’t wait for the second half. BTW, my copy of Painting Aviation’s Legends arrived a week ago today (Thursday). I am savoring it, limiting my reading to a max of 2 paintings a day. A fantastic experience and book. Kudos for authoring it and making it available.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Really appreciate your great comment, and thanks for buying my book. 'Hope you enjoy it!

[@daveykristjanson3052]

One of the B-52 that carried the X-15 is on display at the Pima air museum.

[@Airsally]

The other one is a gate guard at Edward's north gate. I had the pleasure of seeing it twice a day for years.

[@daveykristjanson3052]

Looking forward to seeing it when the Pancho Barnes opens!

[@stevenschiff808]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@robertdragoff6909]

Great video Looking forward to watching part two

[@paranoidandroid7718]

Ok, your videos are always good, but this one was stellar. Hit all my buttons, informative educational and inspiring. Thanks for the hard work.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed this one. Many thanks!

[@johnwhitley2898]

Great job 👍! What a wealth of information. Waiting for Part 2!...

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@bertg.6056]

An excellent presentation, Mike ! My favorite guy is Scott Crossfield, who has famously issued several wry remarks about his experiences with the X-15.

[@jongoffinet8511]

I agree also, Scott was a real “man’s man” . I believe on his last flight, his compadres were taking bets on whether he would break the rules and take the x15 faster than he was allowed………he did exactly what he was supposed to do, no hot rodding. One awesome test pilot!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

He was an outstanding pilot and always a real gentleman. Thanks for watching!

[@meatballwanger]

This is the best thing I ever saw.

[@sergioleone3583]

Another excellent video. The X-15 has been such a fascinating plane for me (like so many others I'm sure), it was great to see and hear more information so well presented (as always). Looking forward to part 2!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment as always, thanks Martin!

[@S_M_360]

One of your best, Mike. Storytelling is a,ways a winner for me and I’m sure a bunch of viewers! That JFK pic very special.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@S_M_360]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 keep it going Mike, amazing content and an amazing career to share with us.

[@SMAZVidoes]

Great episode. Really enjoyed it. I always look forward to a video from you.

[@stevecausey545]

My favorite plane and favorite subject. I remember seeing your paintings on the cover of wings and airpower...and they would stop me in my tracks.. And of course, I have to buy them lol Thanks for this.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment and thanks for buying the magazines!

[@maverick1685]

Mike, you continually one up yourself. You always have Superb Presentations. Thank you!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@paulsnickles2420]

Great video 👍

[@n6mz]

21:45 I think I've read Milt Thompson's book at least 5 times, and bought it at a used-book web site as a gift for several friends including one test pilot. Thanks for the great content!

[@TheJustinJ]

1:47 would love to hear more details about this.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

Thanks for this video Mike. Looking forward to watching it!

[@x15galmichelleevans]

Finally had a chance to sit down and watch another excellent video, Mike. Thanks for all your great presentations, but especially anything that deals with the X-15. It will always remain a passion for me. Glad that you were able to feature Milt's book. If you ever need an image of my book, let me know. Always glad to help out with anything you might be doing, and very much appreciate the credit at the end of your video. If you're free on Saturday, August 19th, come on by the Angelo M. Iacoboni Library in Lakewood. I'll be doing a special showing of the movie "X-15" with Charles Bronson and Mary Tyler Moore for the Los Angeles section of the AIAA. The showing is free, and I'll have a display of X-15 memorabilia, along with things from the movie as well.

[@raynus1160]

Wow. WOW. What an excellent presentation. Bravo.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@jetsons101]

Mike, this video about the X-15 was an "X-cellent " watch. Sorry, I'll go home now.

[@williamscoggin1509]

That's okay, you can sneak back in. 😅

[@alexandrec9372]

Muito bom! Obrigado por compartilhar!

[@kiwitrainguy]

9:39 - I'm picking that the F104 could duplicate the final approach characteristics of the X15 because it also had short stubby wings and so could pull the same kind of maneuverers. Excellent presentation.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Yes, and many thanks!

[@stenic2]

Very interesting episode on the subject, the X-15 was my boyhood favorite plane, and of course I was disappointed when I bought the 1:72 air fix model, it was tiny! But of course the real plane was small too…😂

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Good point!

[@barneymiller6204]

Good one Milt!

[@craiglordable]

Excellent

[@Sacto1654]

It should be noted the X-15 when it flew with the two XLR-11 engines was actually a fairly capable plane. I believe it reached 2,193 mph and an altitude of just over 100,000 feet before it was re-engined with the XLR-99 engine.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

The highest altitude using the LR-11s was 136,500 feet on flight 1-10-19 on 12 August 1960 with pilot Robert White, (The X-15 with LR-11s only went above 100,000 feet on two occasions.) The fastest speed achieved using the LR-11 rocket engines was 2,275 mph (Mach 3.50) on flight 1-21-36, also piloted by Robert White on 7 February 1961. Of course both those records were eclipsed using the LR-99 (354,200 feet and Mach 6.70 or 4,520 mph). It's interesting that Bob White flew so many of the record flights, but NASA gave many of the record flights to an Air Force pilot because they understood how important it was for the US Air Force to set records.

[@IvorMektin1701]

I think the Q-Ball nose was the same type on the tip of the Apollo launch escape tower.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

Yes, the Q-Ball was first developed by the Nortronics Division of Northop for the X-15 program. It was then later used by NASA as the directional sensor at the top of the Apollo CSM LES when launched on the Saturn 1-B and Saturn V.

[@williambarry8015]

Those pilots didn't even flinch at near death experiences.

[@brucefelger4015]

70 seconds of science!

[@albertschultz7151]

Thanks Mike. Outstanding documentary as always. Late 50’s my dad had built a model of the Skyrocket. I would stare at it admiring the pure white rocket . . Nagging that he should build all the X-planes. He never did . . Sigh!

[@SPak-rt2gb]

Great documentary i saw longtime ago on the History channel about the X-15 called "The Rocket Pilots" i think it might be on KZbin.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

"The Rocket Pilots" was first produced by NBC News in November 1981. It is a great documentary, and was a huge inspiration for me to start work on my book on the X-15. It is available on KZbin, but is unfortunately not a great copy. I wish that a good copy would be released on DVD. Luckily I have an excellent copy from when it first aired, and it includes the original short piece at the beginning that featured Mr. Bill being duct taped to the side of the Space Shuttle for launch into orbit!

[@scottwhitmire6613]

Thanks, Had a need for Speed.

[@KRW628]

I've seen both of the remaining X-15s - one in the Smithsonian, and the other in the Air Force museum.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

There is a memorial to both Mike Adams and the number 3 X-15 at the location in the desert north of Edwards AFB where the aircraft came to rest on 15 November 1967. It was first constructed as a community project by Eagle Scout John Bodylski in 2004. It has since been greatly expanded and we have had visitors from all over the world to pay their respects. If you are interested, I can give you the link for more information about the site and how to visit there.

[@KRW628]

Thank you for the information, Michelle.

[@seanys]

Could you please explain the mothership markings.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Yes, the level X-15 silhouettes represent captive test flights early in the program, then inflight aborts for X-15 test missions where the B-52 took-off, but returned with the X-15 due to a problem. The ones pointing upwards with flames at the tail were powered flights, and any pointing downward with flames were emergency landings. There were 199 total X-15 flights among the two NB-52 Motherships. Thanks for watching!

[@seanys]

Excellent. Thank you, Mike.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 The markings also represented aborted flights. There were a total of 12 captive flights throughout the program and 125 aborted flights, along with the 199 launches, for a total of 336 times the X-15 was airborne

[@thunderamu9543]

Hey Mike, was the sled track you mentioned at Edwards or at Holloman?

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

That was the high-speed track at the South end of the lakebed at Edwards. Thanks for watching!

[@thunderamu9543]

WOW, learned something new! Thanks Mike!@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

[@jasontennant8994]

Modern equivalents of pyramid engineers.