Anything Goes Saturday - Douglas Skyrocket
Just a few weeks ago, on another "Anything Goes" saturday, I noted my casual love of airplanes. I don't know diddly about them, but they fascinate me!
Today's photo, dating from the mid-1950's (red Kodachrome mount) shows the supa-cool Douglas Skyrocket. It looks like it's going fast even when it's at a standstill! Its first flight was in 1948; In 1953, it was the first aircraft to exceed Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) - piloted by the legendary Scott Crossfield. Douglas built a total of 3 Skyrockets, and they flew with power from a jet engine and a rocket engine. This was all part of the exciting era when designers were breaking records and learning more and more about hypersonic flight... all relating to the early days of the U.S. space program.
It appears that this Skyrocket was on display at an airport, almost certainly in Southern California. All three aircraft survive today. One is in the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC, another is at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California, and the other is at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California.
It appears that this Skyrocket was on display at an airport, almost certainly in Southern California. All three aircraft survive today. One is in the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC, another is at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California, and the other is at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California.
4 comments:
Nice! Looks a little bit like the Moonliner with wheels and wings.
Just got back from Dapper Day at DL. You were missed, Major!
That is SO awesome! My DH recently attended the National Air Force Museum near Dayton and saw so many amazing pieces of Aviation history
It looks good NASA one, Roger. BCS Arm switch is on.
Okay, Victor.
Lining Rocket Arm switch is on. Roger.
Here comes the throttle. Circuit breakers in. We have separation. Roger.
Inboard and outboards are on
I'm coming a-port with the sideslip. Looks good.
Ah, Roger.
I've got a blow-out - damper three!
Get your pitch to zero!
Pitch is out! I can't hold altitude!
Correction, Alpha Hold is off, turn selectors — Emergency!
Flight Com! I can't hold it! She's breaking up, she's break.....
TM!, it DOES look Moonlinery, doesn't it? I'm looking forward to reading about Dapper Day on your blog (and others)!
theelfqueen, what is a "DH"? I know when you tell me I'm going to slap my forehead and feel stupid.
VDT, ha ha! I had NO idea what your comment was until the "She's breaking up, she's break...."!! I could have sworn that I saw astronaut Steve Austin at the grocery store, but we all know that he died in that terrible mishap back in 1974. OR DID HE?
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