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Douglas D-558-2, ca. 1950s. Creator: Douglas Aircraft Company
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Douglas D-558-2, ca. 1950s. Creator: Douglas Aircraft Company
White, US Navy, single-seat, rocket-powered supersonic aircraft. Piloted by A. Scott Crossfield, on November 20, 1953, the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket became the first aircraft to fly faster than Mach 2, twice the speed of sound. Air-launched from a U.S. Navy Boeing P2B-1S (B-29) the swept-wing, rocket-powered D-558-2 reached Mach 2.005 in a shallow dive at 18, 898 meters (62, 000 feet). The D-558 series of aircraft was developed by Douglas under the direction of Edward H. Heinemann for the U.S. Navy to explore transonic and supersonic flight. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, the predecessor to NASA), used this Skyrocket, the second one built, to explore the flight characteristics of swept-wing aircraft. It set several other speed and altitude records before the program ended in 1956
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Media ID 23877595
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1950s Aeroplane Air And Space Museum Air Transport Aircraft Airplane Craft Aircraft Douglas Aircraft Company Fifties Nasm National Air And Space Museum Plane Rocket Powered Supersonic Skyrocket
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the groundbreaking Douglas D-558-2, a rocket-powered supersonic aircraft that made history in the 1950s. Created by the esteemed Douglas Aircraft Company, this single-seat marvel was piloted by A. Scott Crossfield on November 20,1953. It became the first aircraft to soar faster than Mach 2, an incredible achievement at twice the speed of sound. The image showcases this sleek white beauty as it takes flight from a U. S. Navy Boeing P2B-1S (B-29), reaching an astonishing Mach 2.005 in a shallow dive at an altitude of 18,898 meters (62,000 feet). Developed under Edward H. Heinemann's guidance for the U. S. Navy, the D-558 series aimed to explore transonic and supersonic flight capabilities. Notably used by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later evolved into NASA, this particular Skyrocket played a pivotal role in studying swept-wing aircraft's flight characteristics. Before concluding its program in 1956, it set numerous speed and altitude records. Displayed against an overall aluminum backdrop at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) - part of Smithsonian Institution - this photograph is not just a testament to American aviation ingenuity but also represents technological advancements during that era. With its vibrant colors and rich heritage artistry, this image serves as both an educational tool and a tribute to America's pioneering spirit in aerospace technology.
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