Transiting from Air to Space
The North American X-15

NOTES


NOTES: EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION

1. For general history of such studies in this time period, see NASA Langley Research Center staff report, "Conception and Research Background of the X-15 Project" (Hampton, VA: NASA LRC, June 1962), and NASA Langley Research Center staff report (draft document) "History of NACA-Proposed High-Mach Number, High-Altitude Research Airplane," (Hampton, VA: NASA LRC, n.d.), the latter hereafter referred to as NACA X-15 Origins, pp. 2-3. Both of these are in the files of the NASA History Office, Washington, D.C. Woods' proposals are in the meeting minutes of the NACA Committee on Aerodynamics, Oct. 4, 1951, Jan. 30, 1952, and June 24, 1952, in Record Group 255, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Hubert M. Drake and L. Robert Carman's "A Suggestion of Means for Flight Research at Hypersonic Velocities and High Altitudes" (Edwards, CA: NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station, n.d.), and "Suggested Program for High-Speed, High-Altitude Flight Research," (Edwards, CA: NACA HSFRS, August 1953), are in the NASA History Office archives, Washington, D.C. For SAB interest, see Thomas A. Sturm, The USAF Scientific Advisory Board: Its First Twenty Years, 1944-1964 (Washington, D.C.: USAF Historical Division Liaison office, Feb. 1, 1967), p. 59; The ONR-Douglas project is detailed in Douglas Aircraft Company Summary Report for Contract Nonr 1266(00), "High Altitude and High-Speed Study," (El Segundo, CA: DAC, May 28, 1954), in the corporate files of the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation, Douglas Aircraft division, Long Beach, California. I also wish to acknowledge the assistance of Douglas engineer Edward H. Heinemann's letter to me of Feb. 10, 1972. See also John V. Becker, "The X-15 Project," Astronautics & Aeronautics (February 1964), pp. 52-61. A good general summary of the X-15's development, including some excellent drawings of the various proposals of Bell, Douglas, Republic, and North American, can be found in Ben Guenther, Jay Miller, and Terry Panopalis, North American X-15/X-15A-2, Aerofax Datagraph 2 (Arlington, TX: Aerofax, Inc., 1985), pp. 1-8.

2. NACA Research Airplane Projects Panel meeting minutes, Feb. 4-5, 1954, from the files of the NASA Langley Research Center; NACA X-15 Origins, pp. 4-45; Interview with John V. Becker, NASA Langley Research Center, Nov. 12, 1971; Hallion, "American Rocket Aircraft;" Robert S. Houston, Development of the X-15 Research Aircraft, 1954-1959, v. III of History of Wright Air Development Center, 1958 (Dayton, OH: Wright-Patterson AFB, Office of Information Services, June 1959), pp. 3-13; 17-21; 82-127; 184-185.

3. John V. Becker, "Principal Technology Contributions of X-15 Program," (NASA Langley Research Center, Oct. 8, 1968); Becker, "The X-15 Program in Retrospect."

4. An excellent summation of early X-15 research can be found in Wendell H. Stillwell's X-15 Research Results, NASA SP-60 (Washington, D.C.: NASA, 1965), and Joseph Weil's NASA Technical Note D-1278, Review of the X-15 Program (Washington, D.C.: NASA, June 1962). See also James E. Love, "X-15: Past and Future," paper presented at the Fort Wayne Section, Society of Automotive Engineers, Dec. 9, 1964; and Walter C. Williams, "The Role of the Pilot in the Mercury and X-15 Flights," Proceedings of the XIVth AGARD General Assembly, NATO, Sept. 16-17, 1964, Lisbon, Portugal.

5. Richard P. Hallion, "X-15: Highest and Fastest of Them All," Flight International (Dec. 23, 1978), pp. 2256-2257, 2258, 2262. The X-15A-2 program is discussed in detail in Johnny G. Armstrong's Flight Planning and Conduct of the X-15A-2 Envelope Expansion Program, AFFTC-TD-69-4 (Edwards AFB: Air Force Flight Test Center, 1969), passim.

6. Becker, "X-15 Program in Retrospect;" Sänger-Bredt, "Silver Bird," pp. 223-224.



NOTES: SECTION I

a. A published summary of the July 9 NACA presentations did not appear until August 14.

b. By early February, the designation X-15 had been assigned to the proposed research aircraft, although in unclassified references it still carried the original title, "Project 1226."

c. The final evaluation ranked North American first, with Douglas, Bell, and Republic following in order of merit.

d. In August, the WADC Directorate of Weapon Systems Operations was transferred to the jurisdiction of headquarters ARDC and was given a new title.

e. The fee to Reaction Motors was greater than the original funds estimate for the total engine program; the definitive contract pro posed expenditure of 20 times as much as the original estimate and twice as much as the original program approval. As events later demonstrated, even this erred badly on the side of underestimation.

1. Res. Airplane Comm., Report on Conference on the Progress of the X-15 Project, compilation of the papers presented at the Langley Aero. Lab., 25-26 Oct. 1956, pub. by NACA-Langley, in files of X-15 WSPO, pp. xvii-xix and pp 3-9 (hereafter cited as Report on Progress of the X-15-1956).

2. Ibid; TT, RDTDP-6-15-E, Cmdr., ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC, 17 June 1954; TT, RDTDP-6-22-E, Cmdr., ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC, 21 June 1954.

3. Memo., J. W. Rogers, Liquid Propellant and Rocket Br., Rocket Propulsion Div., to Lt. Col. L. B. Zambon, Power Plant Lab., WADC, 13 July 1954.

4. Ltr., Col. P. F. Nay, Actg. Ch., Aero. and Propulsion Div., Dep. Cmdr/Tech. Ops., ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC, 29 July 1954, subj.: New Research Aircraft.

5. DF, E. C. Phillips, Ch., Ops. office, Power Plant Lab., to Dir/Labs., WADC, 5 Aug. 1954, subj.: NACA Conference on 9 July 1954 on Research Aircraft-Propulsion System; ltr., Col. V. R. Haugen, Dir/Labs., WADC, to Cmdr., ARDC, 13 Aug. 1954, subj.: New Research Aircraft.

6. Memo., J. W. Rogers, Liquid Propellant and Rocket Br., Rocket Propulsion Div., Power Plant Lab., to Ch., Non-Rotating Engine Br., Power Plant Lab., WADC, 11 Aug. 1954, subj.: Conferences on 9 and 10 August 1954 on NACA Research Aircraft-Propulsion System.

7. Ltr., Haugen to Cmdr., ARDC, 13 Aug. 1954.

8. Memo. , R. L. Schulz, Tech. Dir/Ac. , to Ch. , Ftr. Ac. D . iv. , Dir/WSO, WADC, about 13 Aug. 1954.

9. Ltr., Maj. Gen. F. B. Wood, Dep. Cmdr/Tech. Ops., ARDC, to Dir/R&D, USAF, 20 Sept. 1954, subj.: New Research Aircraft.

10. Ltr. (1st Ind.), Brig. Gen. B. S. Kelsey, Dep. Dir/R&D, DCS/D, USAF, to Cmdr., ARDC, 4 Oct. 1954, subj.: New Research Aircraft.

11. DF, Col. D. D. McKee, Ch., Ac. Lab., to Dir/Labs., WADC, 18 Oct. 1954, subj.: Trip Report.

12. DF, T. J. Keating, Ch., Non-Rotating Engine Br., Power Plant Lab. , to J. B. Trenholm, Ch., New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, WADC, 15 Nov. 1954, subj.: New NACA Research Aircraft; memo., J. W. Rogers, Liquid Propellant and Rocket Br., Rocket Propulsion Div., to Ch., Power Plant Lab., WADC, 4 Jan. 1955, subj.: Selection of Engines for New Research Airplane.

13. Memo., T. Gardner, Special Asst/R&D, USAF, to Asst. Secy. Navy/Air, 9 Nov. 1954, subj.: Principles for the Conduct of a Joint Project for a New High Speed Research Airplane; ltr., J. H. Smith Jr., Asst. Secy. Navy/Air, to Dir/NACA, 21 Dec. 1954, no subj.; Report on Progress of the X-15-1956.

14. Memo. of Understanding, signed by H. L. Dryden, Dir/NACA, J. H. Smith Jr., Asst. Secy. Navy/Air, and T. Gardner, Special Asst/R&D, USAF, 23 Dec. 1954, subj.: Principles for the Conduct by the NACA, Navy, and Air Force of a Joint Project for a New High-Speed Research Airplane.

15. Memo., Gardner to Asst. Secy. Navy/Air, 9 Nov. 1954.

16. Ltr., Col. P. F. Nay, Ch., Aero. and Propulsion Div., Dep. Cmdr/Tech. Dev., ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC, approx. 30 Nov. 1954, subj.: Competition for New Research Aircraft.

17. TT, AFDRD-AN-43671, C/S, USAF, to Cmdr., ARDC, 8 Dec. 1954.

18. Memo., A. L. Sea, Asst. Ch., Ftr. Ac. Div., to Dir/WSO, WADC, 29 Dec. 1954, subj.: New Research Aircraft.

19. Ibid.

20. Ltr., Col. C. F. Damberg, Ch., Ac. Div., AMC, to Bell Ac. Corp. (hereafter cited as Bell), et. al., 30 Dec. 1954, subj.: Competition for New Research Aircraft; memo. , Sea, to Dir/WSO, WADC, 29 Dec. 1954; ltr. , J. B. Trenholm, Ch. , New Dev. Of f ice, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, WADC, to Cmdr., ARDC, 13 Jan. 1955, subj.: New Research Aircraft.

21. Ltr. , Brig. Gen. D. R. Ostrander, Dir/Dev. , Dep. Cmdr/Tech. Ops. , ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC, 2 Feb. 1955, subj.: X-15 Special Research Airplane.

22. Ltr. , Col. C. F. Damberg, Ch. , Ac. Div. , AMC, to Bell, et. al. , 2 Feb. 1955, subj.: Project 1226 Competition.

23. Memo., Rogers to Ch., Power Plant Lab., 4 Jan. 1955.

24. DF, T. J. Keating, Ch. , Non-Rotating Engine Br. , Power Plant Lab., to Lt. C. E. McCollough Jr., New Dev. Office, Dir/WSO, WADc, 14 Jan. 1955, subj.: Project 1226 -Information for Engine Contractors.

25. Ltr., R. W. Walker, Ch., Power Plant Dev. Sect., Power Plant Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, to Reaction Motors, Inc. (hereafter cited as RMI), 4 Feb. 1955, subj. Power Plant for New Research Airplane.

26. Ltr., W. P. Turner, Mgr., Customer Relations and Contr. Div., RMI, to Cmdr., AMC, 3 Feb. 1955, subj.: XLR30 Rocket Engine-Information Concerning.

27. Ltr., J. B. Trenholm, Ch., New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, WADC, to Bell, et. al., 22 Mar. 1955, subj.: Transmittal of Data, Project 1226 CompJi7tion.

28. Ltr., Ostrander to Cmdr., WADC, 2 Feb. 1955; ltr., Brig. Gen. H. M. Estes Jr., Dir/WSO, WADC, to Cmdr., ARDC, 11 Apr. 1955, subj.: X-15 Research Aircraft.

29. Ltr., Estes to Cmdr., ARDC, 11 Apr. 1955.

30. Ltr., Col. P. F. Nay, Ch., Aero. and Propulsion Div., Dep. Cmdr/Tech. Ops., ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC, 26 Apr. 1955, subj.:X-15 Research Aircraft.

31. Ltr., H. L. Dryden, Dir/NACA, to Dep. Dir/R&D, DCS/D, USAF, 20 May 1955, no subj.; ltr., Rear Adm. R. S. Hatcher, Asst. Ch/R&D, BuAer, USN, to Cmdr., WADC, 31 May 1955, subj.: Agreements Reached by "Research Airplane Committee," on Evaluation Procedure for X-15 Research Airplane Proposals.

32. Suborder, J. B. Trenholm, Ch., New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, to Ch., Rocket Sect., Non-Rotating Engine Br., Power Plant Lab., WADC, 20 June 1955, subj.: X-15 Research Aircraft.

33. Memo., Brig. Gen. H. M. Estes Jr., Dir/WSO, to Dir/Labs., WADC, 28 June 1955, subj.: X-15 Evaluation.

34. Ltr., J. B. Trenholm Jr., Ch., New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, WADC, to Cmdr., ARDC, I July 1955, subj.: X-15 Research Aircraft Evaluation Schedule; comments, Capt. C. E. McCollough Jr., Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, WADC, July 1955.

35. Memo., Col. C. G. Allen, Ch., Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, to Cmdr., WADC 23 Aug. 1955, subj.: X-15 Evaluation. DF, Col. C. G. Allen, Ch., Ftr. Ac. Div., to Ch., New Dev. office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 7 Sept. 1955, subj.: X-15 Evaluation.

36. DF, Allen to Ch., New Dev. Office, 7 Sept. 1955.

37. X-15 WSPO Weekly Activity Rpt. (hereafter cited as WAR), 22 Sept. 1955; interview, W. B. Underwood, NACA Liaison officer, 1 Oct. 1955, by Robert L. Perry, Ch., Hist. Br., WADC.

38. TT, AFDRD-30259, C/S, USAF, to Cmdr. ARDC, 20 Sept. 1955; TT RDZ-ISFF-9-514-E, Dir/Sys. Mgmt. to Cmdr., ARDC, 23 Sept. 1955; ltr., R. H. Rice, Vice Pres. and Ch. Engr., North American Avn., Inc. (hereafter cited as NAA), to Cmdr., ARDC, 23 Sept. 1955, subj Project 1226, Research Airplane.

39. Ltr., Col. C. F. Damberg, Ch., Ac. Div., AMC, to NAA, 30 Sept. 1955, subj.: X-15 Competition.

40. X-15 WSPO WAR, 13 Oct. 1955; 20 Oct. 1955; 27 Oct. 1955; and 15 Dec. 1955; DF, Col. B. C. Downs, Ch., Ftr. Br., to Ch., Ac. Div., Dir/Proc. and Prod., AMC, 7 Nov. 1955, subj.: Request for Permission to Negotiate a CPFF Type Contract -P.R. No. 636317 and 198558; Ltr., N. Shropshire, Dir/Contr. Admin., NAA, to Cmdr., AMC, 8 Dec. 1955, subj.: Letter Contract AF33(600)-31693.

41. DF, Downs to Ch., Ac. Div., 7 Nov. 1955.

42. DF, Capt. C. E. McCollough, Proj. Officer, New Dev. Office, Ftr Ac. Div. , Dir/Sys. Mgmt. , ARDC, to Ch. , Non-Rotating Engine Br. , Power Plant Lab., Dir/Labs., WADC, I Dec. 1955, subj.: Engine for X-15.

43. Ltr. Contr. AF33(600)-32248, 14 Feb. 1956, in files of Contr. Dist. and Files Sect., AMC (hereafter cited as AMC contr. files X-15 WSPO WAR, 13 Oct. 1955.

44. Contr. AF 33(600)-31693, 11 June 1956.

45. Contr. AF33(600)-32248, 7 Sept. 1956.



NOTES: SECTION II

a. Eventually, an Air Force-NACA study team journeyed to France to study the Sud-Ouest Trident interceptor, which had such a tail con figuration.

b. A gyroscqpically stabilized mechanism that aligns itself to the local vertical to provide a reference plane that can be uti lized for the derivation of altitude, attitude, velocity, and rate-of-climb information.

c. The facilities were those of the NACA's Langley and Ames laboratories, of North American, and of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

d. A skip-flow generator was a deflector that directed the air flow so as to create a low velocity area around the pilot.

e. The engine was eventually to undergo numerous changes of detail but its basic design, as described to the conference, was not greatly altered.

1. Report on Progress of the X-15-1956, pp. 23-31; ltr. , Damberg to Bell, 30 Dec. 1954.

2. Memo., A. W. Vogeley, Aero. Res. Scientist, NACA, to Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, Langley Aero. Lab., NACA, 30 Nov. 1955, subi. : Project 1226 meetings to discuss changes in the North American Proposal - Wright -Patterson Air Force Base meeting of October 24 and 25, and North American Aviation meetings in Los Angeles on October 27 and 28 and November 14 and 15, 1955.

3. Memo. , W. C. Williams, Ch., NACA High Speed Flt. Station, Edwards AFB, Calif., to Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, Langley Aero. Lab., NACA, 27 Jan. 1956, subj.: Visit to North American Aviation, Inc. to discuss Project 1226.

4. Memo. , H. A. Soule, Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, Langley Aero. Lab., to Members, NACA Res. Airplane Proj. Panel, 7 June 1956, subj.: Project 1226-Progress report for month of May 1956.

5. Ibid.

6. DF, M. A. Todd, Actg. Ch. , Contr. Reporting and Bailment Br. , Support Div., to Ch., Ftr. Br., Ac. Div., Dir/Proc. and Prod., AMC, 15 June 1956, subj.: Confirmation of Serial Numbers Assigned.

7. Ltr. , Dr. H. L. Dryden, Dir/NACA, to Ch. , Ftr. WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 6 July 1956, no subj.

8. Report on Progress of the X-15-1956, pp. Iff.

9. Rpt., "Development Engineering Inspection of the X-15 Research Aircraft-13 December 1956," Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, in files of X-15 WSPO.



NOTES: SECTION III

a. In fairness to the laboratory, it must be admitted that such estimates were accompanied by a statement that "less confidence in these estimates exists because the XLR30 engine is at present in a much earlier stage of development." It was this same XLR30 that was eventually to be turned into the XLR99 and which was to prove the laboratory's qualification of its estimates to have been justified.

b. Of the engines under consideration, only the Aerojet XLR73 was a funded development engine. Consequently, the XLR73 was the only engine which -- theoretically at least -- would have cost nothing additional.

c. In fact, of course, the X-15 eventually ~jLd require use of the XLR8 as an interim engine, when the XLR30's derivative, the XLR99, fell further and further behind schedule.

d. The designation became "official" at Wright-Field on March 6 and received Navy approval on March 29.

e. The term "spaghetti tube" graphically described the appearance of the injector devices that sent fuel to the combustion chamber.

f. The Power Plant Laboratory and Propeller Laboratory had been combined on June 17, 1957, the new organization being designated Propulsion Laboratory.

g. There was a clear distinction between proposals for an interim engine to permit flight trials before an XLR99 became available, and an alternate engine, to substitute for the XLR99 in the final X-15.

1 . DF, Phillips to Dir/Labs., 5 Aug. 1954; memo. , J. W. Rogers to Ch., Non-Rotating Engine Br., 11 Aug. 1954; DF, Keating to Ch., New Dev. office, 15 Nov. 1954; ltr., Col. C. F. Damberg, Ch., Ac. Div., AMC, to Bell, et al. , 2 Feb. 1955, subj. : Project 1226 Competition.

2. DF, Keating to Ch., New Dev. Office, 15 Nov. 1954.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ltr., Damberg to Bell, 30 Dec. 1954.

6. Ltr., Turner to Cmdr, AMC, 3 Feb. 1955.

7. Ibid.

8. Ltr., Walker to RMI, 4 Feb. 1955.

9. Ltr., Lt. Col. W. K. Ashby, Ch., Power Plant Br., Aero. Equip. Div. , AMC, to RMI, 24 Feb. 1955, subj. : Power Plant for New Research Airplane.

10. Ltr., Trenholm to Bell, et al., 22 Mar. 1955.

11. Ibid.

12. Ltr., Nay to Cmdr., WADC, 26 Apr. 1955.

13. Suborder, Trenholm to Ch., Rocket Sect., 20 June 1955.

14. Rpt., "Evaluation of Engines - Project 1226," 15 July 1955, Power Plant Lab., WADC.

15. Ltr., Lt. H. J. Savage, Non-Rotating Engine Br., Power Plant Lab., WADC, to Rmi, 26 Oct. 1955, subj. : Engine for the X-15 Airplane.

16. DF, McCollough to Ch., Non-Rotating Engine Br., I Dec. 1955.

17. Ltr., R. W. Walker, Ch., Power Plant Dev. Sect., Power Plant Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, to RMI, 8 Dec. 1955, subj.: Request for Proposal X-15 Aircraft Engine Development.

18. Ibid.

19. DF, T. J. Keating, Ch., Non-Rotating Engine Br., Power Plant Lab., WADC, to Proj. Officer, New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/Sys. Mgmt, ARDC, 15 Dec. 1955, subj.: The X-15 Airplane Engine.

20. DF, J. W. Rogers, Liquid Propellant and Rocket Br. , Rocket Propulsion Div., Power Plant Lab., WADC, to Ch., New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 23 Dec. 1955, subj.: Methods of Contracting for X-15 Engine.

21. Ltr., Rear Adm. W. A. Schoech, Asst. Ch/R&D, BuAer, USN., to C/S, USAF, 28 Nov. 1955, subj.: Cognizance over development of rocket power plant for NACA X-15 research airplane.

22. Ltr., Col. D. H. Heaton, Ch., Aero. Div., Dir/R&D, DCS/D, USAF, to Cmdr., ARDC, 9 Dec. 1955, subj.: Cognizance Over Development of Rocket Power Plant for NACA X-15 Research Airplane.

23. IT Conf. between personnel of Dir/Sys. Mgmt. and Hq., ARDC, 29 Dec. 1955, subj.: BuAer Letter on the XLR30.

24. Ltr. (lst Ind.), Col. E. N. Ljunggren, Asst/Ac. Sys., ARDC, to Dir/R&D, USAF, 3 Jan. 1956, subj.: Cognizance Over Development of Rocket Power Plant for NACA X-15 Research Airplane.

25. Ltr., Brig. Gen. V. R. Haugen, Dep. Cmdr/Dev., WADC, to NACA-Wash., 15 Feb. 1956, subj.: Engine Contract for the X-15.

26. Ibid.

27. Ltr., W. P. Turner, Mgr. Customer Relations and Contr. Div., RMI, to Cmdr., AMC, 7 Feb. 1956, subj.: Rocket Engine System for X-15 Research Aircraft.

28. Ibid.

29. Ltr., Haugen to NACA-Wash., 15 Feb. 1956.

30. Ltr. Contr. AF33(600)-32248, 14 Feb. 1956, in AMC contr. files.

31. Memo., J. L. Sloop, Ch., Rocket Br., Lewis Lab., to Hq., NACA, 16 Apr. 1956, subj.: Visit to Reaction Motors, Inc. re: Powerplant for the X-15.

32. Ltr., H. P. Barfield, Asst. Ch., Non-Rotating Engine Br., Power Plant Lab., WADC, to RMI, I Aug. 1956, subj.: Contract AF33(600)-32248.

33. Ltr., A. G. Thatcher, Mgr., Div Eng RMI, to Cmdr., WADC, 17 Aug. 1956, subj.: Contract AF33(600)-32248.

34. Ltr., R. H. Rice, Vice Pres. and Gen. Mgr., NAA, to Asst. Dep. Cmdr/Weap. Sys., ARDC, I Feb. 1957, no subj.

35. Ltr., Maj. Gen. H. M. Estes Jr., Asst. Dep. Cmdr/Weap. Sys., ARDC, to NAA, 7 Mar. 1957, no subj.

36. Rpt., H. A. Soule" , Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, to Members,

NACA Res. Airplane Proj. Panel, 19 Mar. 1957, subj.: Project 1226-Progress report for months of January and February 1957.

37. Interview, Capt. K. E. Weiss, XLR99 Proj. Officer, Propulsion Lab., 23 Sept. 1958, by D. R. McVeigh, Hist. Br., WADC.

38. ARDC Form III (Mgmt. Rpt.), Proj. 3116, 29 Mar. 1957, subj.: X-15 Propulsion Subsystem.

39. Memo., A. W. Vogeley, Aero. Res. Engr., to Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, NACA, 3 Aug. 1957, subj.: X-15 Airplane - Discussions at Air Research and Development Command, Detachment #I, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, on July 29-30, 1957.

40. Rpt., Status of XLR99-RM-1, 9 Jan. 1958 through 27 June 1958, prep. by Propulsion Lab., WADC, (hereafter cited as Status Rpt., 9 Jan-27 June 1958).

41. X-15 WSPO WAR, 29 Jan. 1958.

42. Interview, C. E. McCollough, Asst. Ch., X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 14 May 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

43. Status rpt., 9 Jan-27 June 1958.

44. Memo., "NACA-ARDC Position 20th February 1958," unsigned and undated.

45. Status rpt., 9 Jan-27 June 1958.

46. Ibid.

47. Ltr. , Maj. Gen. S. T. Wray, Cmdr. , WADC, to Cmdr. , ARDC, 17 June 1958, no subj.

48. Ibid.

49. Status rpt., 9 Jan-27 June 1958.

50. Ltr., Lt. Col. L. Schaffer, ARDC Regional office, New York, N.Y., to Cmdr., ARDC, 7 Mar. 1958, subj.: Management Changes at Reaction Motors, Inc., Denville, N. J.

51. Porter, John Sherman, Ed., Moody's Industrial Manual for 1958, New York: D. F. Shea, Publisher.

52. Status rpt., 9 Jan-27 June 1958.

53. Ltr., F. W. Tangeman, Dep. Ch., Power Plant Dev. Sect., Power Plant Br., AMC, to Reactions Motors Div., Thiokol Chem. Corp. (hereafter cited as RMD), 29 May 1958, subj.: Contract AF33(600)-32248, XLR99-RM-1 Back-up Chamber Development.

54. Status rpt., 9 Jan-27 June 1958.

55. Ltr., Wray to Cmdr., ARDC, 17 June 1958.

56. Ltr. , Lt. Gen. S. E.. 4,nderson, Cmdr. , ARDC, to Pres. , Thiokol Chem. Corp., 27 June 1958, no subj.; ltr. (draft), Cmdr., ARDC, to Thiokol Chem. Corp., approx. 17 June 1958, no. subj., (utilized in composition of ltr. of 27 June 1958 but not actually sent to addressee).

57. Ltr., J. W. Crosby, Pres., Thiokol Chem. Corp., to Cmdr., ARDC, 3 July 1958, no subj.

58. Ltr. , Lt. Gen. S. E. Anderson, Cmdr. , ARDC, to Pres. , Thiokol Chem. Corp., 1 Aug. 1958, no subj.

59. "Red Flag Rpt., X-15 Powerplant XLR99-RM-1," D. McKee, on-Rotating Engine Br., Propulsion Lab., WADC, 18 July 1958.

60. "Red Flag Rpt., Engine Testing of the XLR-99," prep. in Non-Rotating Engine Br., Propulsion Lab., WADC, 7 Aug. 1958; interview, Maj. A. Murray, Ch. , X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 18 July 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC (hereafter cited as Murray interview).

61. See note above.

62. DF, Col. J. M. Silk, Ch., Propulsion Lab., to Cmdr., WADC, 20 Aug. 1958, subj.: XLR99 Engine for X-15 Aircraft.

63. X-15 WSPO WAR, 5 Sept. 1958, 13 Sept. 1958, 19 Sept. 1958, and 26 Sept. 1958.

64. X-15 WSPO WAR, 3 Oct. 1958, 10 Oct. 1958, 17 Oct. 1958, and 24 Oct. 1958.

65. X-15 WSPO WAR, 31 Oct. 1958, and 14 Nov. 1958.

66. X-15 WSPO WAR, 28 Nov. 1958.

67. X-15 WSPO WAR, 30 Jan. 1959.

68. X-15 WSPO WAR, 20 Feb. 1959, and 6 Mar. 1959.

69. X-15 WSPO WAR, 24 Apr. 1959.

70. X-15 WSPO WAR, 8 May 1959.

71. DF, Col. F. A. Holm, Dep/Advanced Sys., Dir/Sys. Mgmt., to Ch. Programs and Evaluations Office, IG, ARDC, 13 Feb. 1958, subj. Survey of the X-15 Research Aircraft, 30 September-7 October 1958.



NOTES: SECTION IV

a. A wetting agent is any substance added to a liquid in order to increase the dispersion and penetrability of the liquid. In this case, it was hoped that starting times could be reduced by increasing the contact between the hydrogen peroxide and the catalyst.

b. Crossfield's interest was not at all impersonal. He had joined North American for the purpose of becoming the first pilot of the X-15.

c. Attendees included representatives of the Aero Medical Laboratory, the X-15 project office, the WADC Crew Station Office, North American, the David Clark Company, the Firewel Company, and the Bill Jack Company.

1. X-15 WSPO WAR, 2 May 1958.

2. X-15 WSPO WAR, 21 May 1958.

3. X-15 WSPO WAR, 29 May 1958.

4. X-15 WSPO WAR, 11 June 1958.

5. X-15 WSPO WAR, 25 June 1958.

6. Interview, Lt. J. S. Worley, X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt. , ARDC, 22 May 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

7. X-15 WSPO WAR, 5 Sept. 1958.

8. Remarks, Maj. A. Murray, Ch., X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, to Bureau of Budget personnel at WADC, 6 May 1959.

9. Res. Airplane Comm., Report on Conference on the Progress of the X-15 Project, compilation of the papers presented at the IAS Bldg., Los Angeles, Calif., 28-30 July 1958, in files of X-15 WSPO, p. 117 (hereafter cited as Report on Progress of the X-15 - 1958).

10. DF, F. Harris, Ch., Plans Office, Dir/Res., to Ch., Aero Med. Lab., WADC, 23 Aug. 1955, subj.: Planning for Support of X-15 Development.

11. Rpt., "Detail Specifications NA 55-447," revised 2 Mar. 1956 in files of X-15 WSPO.

12. NAA Spec. No. NA5-4077, 8 Apr. 1956, in files of X-15 WSPO.

13. DF, Lt. Col. K. F. Troup, Ch., Aircrew Effectiveness Br., Aero Med. Lab., WADC, to Ch., New Dev. WSPO, Ftr. Ac. Div., ARDC, 4 May 1956, in files of X-15 WSPO.

14. X-15 WSPO WAR, 28 June 1956.

15. AMC Form 52 (Record of Verbal Coordination), 12 July 1956, subj.: Personal Equipment for X-15 Weapons System, in files of X-15 WSPO, Murray interview, 16 July 1959.

16. Ltr., R. L. Stanley, Dep. Ch., Ftr. Ac. Br., Ac. and Missiles Div., Dir/Proc. and Prod., AMC, to AFPR, NAA, 16 Jan. 1957, subj.: Contract AF33(600)-31693, X-15 Airplane - ECP's NA-X15-7, NA-X15-1, NA-X15-8, NA-X15-12.

17. Ltr., S. C. Hellman, Mgr., Contr. and Proposals, NAA, to Cmdr., AMC, 8 Feb. 1957, subj.: Contract AF33(600)-31693 (3 X-15) NA-240 Contractual Document Request for Full Pressure Pilot's Suit-Change from CFE to GFAE, ECP NA-X-15-8.

18. X-15 WSPO WAR, 30 Oct. 1957.

19. Exhibit, "Full Pressure Suit Assembly," Physiology Br., Aero Med. Lab., WADC, I Jan. 1958.

20. DF, G. Kitzes, Asst. Ch., Physiology Br., Aero Med. Lab., WADC, to Ch., Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 10 Apr. 1958, subj.: Status of MC-2 Full Pressure Altitude Suits for the X-15 research aircraft.

21. X-15 WSPO WAR, 2 May 1958.

22. Interview, Capt. J. E. Schaub, X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 28 May 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

23. X-15 WSPO WAR, 9 May 1958.

24. DF, Lt. J. E. Schaub, X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt. , ARDC, to Ch. , Aero Med. Lab., WADC, 19 Aug. 1958, subj.: X-15 Full Pressure Suit Program.

25. X-15 WSPO WAR, 5 Sept. 1958.

26. X-15 WSPO WAR, 13 Sept. 1958.

27. X-15 WSPO WAR, 7 Nov. 1958.

28. Rpt., "Survey of the X-15 Research Aircraft, 30 September - 7 October 1958," IG, ARDC, undated.

29. ibid.

30. X-15 WSPO WAR, 21 Nov. 1958, 5 Dec. 1958, and 9 Jan. 1959; DF, Holm. to Ch., Programs and Evaluations Office, IG, ARDC, 13 Feb. 1958.

31. X-15 WSPO WAR, 30 Jan. 1959; Murray interview, 16 July 1959.

32. X-15 WSPO WAR, 3 Apr. 1959.

33. DF, H. E. Savely, Ch., Biophysics Br., Aero Med. Lab., WADC, to Ch., New Dev. Office, Ftr. Ac. Div., Dir/WSO, 8 Feb. 1955, subj.: Acceleration Tolerance and Emergency Escape.

34. Memo., Vogeley to Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, 30 Nov. 1955.

35. Memo., Soule to Members, NACA Res. Airplane Proj. Panel, 7 June 1956.

36. Memo. , H. A. Soule, Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, Langley Aero. Lab. , to Members, NACA Res. Airplane Proj. Panel, NACA, 15 Nov. 1956, subj.: Project 1226 - Progress Report for months of September and October 1956.

37. Memo., Brig. Gen. M. C. Demler, Dep. Cmdr/R&D, to Dep. Cmdr/Weap. Sys., ARDC, 2 Jan. 1957, subj.: Escape Systems for Research Vehicles such as. the X-15.

38. Ltr., R. H. Rice, Vice Pres. and Gen. Mgr., NAA, to Cmdr., AMC, 31 Jan. 1957, subj. : Contract AF 33(600)-31693, X-15 Airplane, GFAE Ejection Seat Catapult - Change to CFE Ballistic Rocket Type-ECP NA-X-15-19.

39. Interview, Lt. R. L. Panton, X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt. , ARDC, 1 June 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

40. X-15 WSPO WAR, 2 May 1958.

41. Ibid.

42. X-15 WSPO WAR, 21 May 1958.

43. Ibid.

44. X-15 WSPO WAR, 11 June 1958.

45. X-15 WSPO WAR, 11 July 1958.

46. X-15 WSPO WAR, 3 Oct. 1958.

47. X-15 WSPO WAR, 7 Nov. 1958, and 28 Nov. 1958.

48. X-15 WSPO WAR, 28 Nov. 1958.

49. X-15 WSPO WAR, 9 Jan. 1959.

50. X-15 WSPO WAR, 16 Jan. 1959.

51. X-15 WSPO WAR, 6 Feb. 1959.

52. X-15 WSPO WAR, 13 Feb. 1959.

53. X-15 WSPO WAR, 13 Mar. 1959.

54. X-15 WSPO WAR, 17 Apr. 1959.

55. Memo., Vogeley to Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, 30 Nov. 1955.

56. Memo., Williams to Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, 27 Jan. 1956.

57. Memo., Soule to Members, NACA Res. Airplane Proj. Panel, 7 June 1956.

58. Proposal No. A. E. 1752, "Development of Flight Research Stabilized Platform," Sperry Gyroscope Co., Aug. 1956, in AMC Contr. files (AF33-600-35397); memo., Soule' to Members, NACA Res. Airplane Proj. Panel, 15 Nov. 1956.

59. DF) M. L. Lipscomb, Instr. Br., Flt. Control Lab., WADC, to Ch.. Accessories Dev. Sect., Accessories Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, 26 Dec. 1956, in AMC contr. files (AF33-600-35397).

60. Ltr., H. L. Kimball, Ch., Accessories Dev. Sect., Accessories Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, to Sperry Gyroscope Co., 6 Feb. 1957, in AMC contr. files (AF33-600-35397).

61. Negotiation Summary, C. E. Deardorff, Accessories Dev. Sect., Accessories Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, 25 Apr. 1956, in AMC contr. files (AF33-600-35397).

62. DF, Brig. Gen. V. R. Haugen, Dir/Dev., WADC, to Ch., Aero. Equip. Div., Dir/Proc. and Prod., AMC, 22 Apr. 1957, subj.: Flight Data System for the X-15; Purchase Request DE-7-S-4184, in AMC contr. files (AF33-600-35397).

63. Contr. AF33(600)-35397, 5 June 1957, in AMC contr. files.

64. Supp. Agmt. I through 10, Contr. AF33(600)-35397, 5 June 1957 and subsequent, in AMC contr. files.

65. X-15 WSPO WAR, 2 May 1958.

66. DF, W. W. Bailey, Programming Br., Flt. Control Lab., WADC and Chester E. McCollough, Asst. Ch., X-15 WSPO, to Ch., Flt. Data Sect., Accessories Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, 5 Aug. 1958, in files of X-15 WSPO.

67. Ibid.

68. Ltr., J. J. Slamer, Dep. Ch., Flt. Data Sect., Accessories Br., Aero. Equip. Div., AMC, to AFPR, Sperry Rand Corp., 7 Aug. 1958, subj.: Ltr. Contract AF33(600)-35397, in AMC contr. files.

69. Ltr., G. W. Schleich, Aero. Equip. Div., Sperry Gyroscope Co., to Cmdr., AMC, 4 Sept. 1958, subj.: Contract AF33(600)-35397, in AMC contr. files.

70. X-15 WSPO WAR, 23 Jan. 1959.

71. X-15 WSPO WAR, 13 Mar. 1959.

72. X-15 WSPO. WAR 1 May 1959.

73. Interview, Lt. R.L. Panton, X-15 WSPO Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 1 June 1959, by R.S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.



NOTES: SECTION V

a. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, successor to NACA.

1. X-15 WSPO WAR, 21 June 1956.

2. Report on Progress of the X-15 - 1956.

3. Report on Progress of the X-15 - 1958.

4. Ltr. , Brig. Gen. B. S. Kelsey, Dep. Dir/R&D, DCS/D, USAF, to Dir/NACA, 7 Apr. 1955, no subj.

5. Ltr., Dryden to Dep. Dir/R&D, 20 May 1955.

6. Memo. for record, Maj. J. E. Downhill, Asst. Ch., Test Proj. Sect., Aer. & Propulsion Div., ARDC, 28 July 1955, subj.: Flight Test Range for the X-15.

7. Ltr., Lt. Col. B. H. Harris Jr., DCS/O, AFFTC, to Cmdr., ARDC 2 Dec. 1955, subj.: X-15 Research Aircraft.

8. Ltr., H. A. Soule, Res. Airplane Proj. Leader, NACA-Langley, to NACA Liaison Officer, WPAFB, 20 Dec. 1955, subj.: Air Force-North American-NACA conference on Project 1226 Range.

9. Rpt., "Survey of the X-15 Research Aircraft, 30 September 7 October 1958," IG, ARDC, undated.

10. Remarks, Maj. A. Murray, Ch., X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, to Bureau of Budget personnel at WADC, 6 May 1959; interview, C. E. McCollough, Asst. Ch., X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 11 June 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

11. Ltr., J. W. Crowley, Associate Dir/Res., NACA-Wash., to NACA High-Speed Fit. Station, Edwards AFB, Calif., 28 Feb. 1958, subj.: Flight control research for hypersonic airplanes.

12. X-15 WSPO WAR, 23 Apr. 1958.

13. X-15 WSPO WAR, 2 May 1958.

14. X-15 WSPO WAR, 18 June 1958.

15. Ltr., Maj. Gen. M. C. Demler, Dir/R&D, USAF, to Cmdr., ARDC, 18 Nov. 1958, subj.: Further Development of X-15 Aircraft.

16. Interview, C. E. McCollough, Asst. Ch., X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 12 June 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

17. Cost Projection, Contr. AF33(600)-31693, prep. quarterly by NAA Dept. of Pricing, 1955-1959, in files of X-15 WSPO.

18. Interview, C. E. McCollough, Asst. Ch., X-15 WSPO, Dir/Sys. Mgmt., ARDC, 12 June 1959, by R. S. Houston, Hist. Br., WADC.

19. Ibid.

20. Ibid.



NOTES: SECTION VI

a. Concerns over panel flutter resulted in extensive redesign of the proposed X-20 Dyna-Soar, and played a major part in the research rationale behind the ASSET program, as will be seen.

b. In fact, one way of envisioning the Space Shuttle is to ima gine a transpor,t the size of a McDonnell Douglas C-9 Nightingale (civilian DC-9), carrying the payload of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and flying like the X-15.

c. Knight subsequently related his thoughts as he began his descent; looking down at Mud Lake he muttered, "Take a good look, Pete, that's probably where you'll plant it!" Such, fortunately, was not the case.

d. See the Hypersonic Ramjet Experiment case study for the "ground" story of this interesting effort.

1. Robert Mulac, X-15 flight chronology (NASA-Langley Research center, n.d.) Copy in the files of the NASA History Office, Washington, D.C. See also A. Scott Crossfield and Clay Blair, Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot (Cleveland, OH: World Publishing Co., 1960), pp. 307-366.

2. Mulac, X-15 flight chronology: Crossfield and Blair, pp. 366-405; NASA, X-15 series flight log assembled by Betty J. Love, NASA DFRC.

3. Wendell Stillwell, X-15 Research Results (Wash., D.C.: NASA, 1965), P. 65. Stillwell's book is useful mostly for the information on the program prior to 1965. Interview with R. Dale Reed, 30 Nov. 1976.

4. Becker, "The X-15 Program in Retrospect." Raumfahrtforschung. See also Stillwell, p. 66; and James E. Love, "X-15: Past and Future," paper presented to the Fort Wayne Section, Society of Automotive Engineers, 9 Dec. 1964.

5. Stillwell, pp. 51-52, 75-78, for a general technical review of the X-15 effort, see Joseph Weil, NASA Technical Note D-1278, Review of the X-15 Program (Washington, D.C.: NASA, June 1962); Becker, "The X-15 Program in Retrospect."

6. Stillwell, p. iv; see also Walter C. Williams, "The Role of the Pilot in the Mercury and X-15 Flights." Proceedings of the Fourteenth AGARD General Assembly, 16-17 Sept. 1965, Portugal.

7. Weil, Review of the X-15 Program; James E. Love and W. R. Young, "Operational Experience from the X-15 Program," n.d., files of the DFRC Safety Office.

8. Betty Love, X-15 flight chronology, DFRC Pilots' Office files.

9. Love, "X-15: Past and Future," Becker, "The X-15 Program in Retrospect," memo on X-15 follow-on program by Homer Newell to Hugh Dryden, 18 Dec. 1961; undated memo, Bikle to Soule' (believed Nov. 1961); memo, Stack to Dryden, 3 Jan. 1962; ltr., Dryden to Maj. Gen. Marvin C. Demler, USAF, 12 Jul. 1962; NASA news release 61-261.

10. Air Force Systems Command, X-15 System Package Program, 6-37-48; Love, "X-15: Past and Future;" ltr., Dryden to Demler, 23 Mar. 1962; NASA news release 62-98; X-15 news release 62-91; ltr., Dryden to Lt. Gen. James Ferguson, 15 Jul. 1963; NASA news release 64-42; Carlton R. Gray, MIT/IL X-15 Horizon Definition Experimental Final Report (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, Oct. 1969), passim. ; NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center news release 68-69.

11. AFSC, X-15 System Package Program, 1-2; Robert A. Hoover and Robert A. Rushworth, "X-15A-2 Advanced Capability," paper presented at the annual symposium of The Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Beverly Hills, CA, 25-26 Sept. 1964.

12. Love, X-15 flight chronology; cockpit voice transcription for Rushworth flight, 14 Aug. 1964; X-15 Operations Flight Report, 19 Aug. 1964; Rushworth flight comments, n.d.

13. Hoover and Rushworth, "X-15A-2 Advanced Capability," NASA news release 66-11; C. M. Plattner, "Insulated X-15A-2 Ready for Speed Tests," Aviation Week & Space Technology (24 July 1967), pp. 75-81.

14. William J. Knight, "Increased Piloting Tasks and Performance of X-15A-2 in Hypersonic Flight," paper presented at the annual symposium of the SETP, Beverly Hills, CA, 28-30 Sept. 1967; Love, X-15 chronology.

15. Johnny G. Armstrong, Flight Planning and Conduct of the X-15A Envelope Expansion Program, AFFTC-TD-69-4; (Edwards AFB: AFFTC, 1969), pp. 52-56.

16. Becker, "The X-15 Program in Retrospect."

17. Interview with Jack Koll, 28 Feb. 1977.

18. Donald R. Bellman, et al., Investigation of the Crash of the X-15-3 Aircraft on November 15, 1967 (Edwards: NASA FRC, Jan. 1968), pp. 8-15.

19. Ibid.; passim; confidential interviews.

20. X-15 accident report, passim.

21. Ibid.; R. Dale Reed, "RPRV's: The First and Future Flights," Astronautics & Aeronautics (Apr. 1974), pp. 26-42.

22. For example, see the file "X-15: Mtg re research related to Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle," NASA History office, Washington, D.C., particularly memo, John Becker to Floyd Thompson, 29 Oct 1964; ltr. , Paul Bikle to C. W. Harper, 13 Nov. 1964; and Becker, et. al. , "Proposed Aerodynamic and Heat Trans f er Experiments," n. d. (transmitted by Floyd Thompson to A. J. Evans, 25 Jan 1965).

23. USAF Hq. Development Directive No. 32, 5 Mar. 1964, reprinted in X-15 System Package Program, 13-7.

24. James E. Love and William R. Young, NASA TN D-3732, "Survey of Operation and Cost Experience of the X-15 Airplane as a Reusable Space Vehicle" (Washington, D.C.: NASA, Nov. 1966), p. 7; Bikle interview; Finch interview.



NOTES: SECTION VII

a. Ed. note: The NASA YF-12 program concluded in 1979.

1. John V. Becker, "Principal Technology Contributions of X-15 Program," (Hampton, VA: NASA Langley Research Center, 8 Oct 1968). Copy in the files of the NASA History Office.

2. Becker, "The X-15 in Retrospect."

3. Ronald G. Boston, "Outline of the X-15's Contributions to Aerospace Technology," (Colorado Springs, CO: USAF Academy, 21 Nov. 1977), pp. 1-15.


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