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  1:5 scale Bell X-2 flying rocket plane (BALLS 23)

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Author Topic:   1:5 scale Bell X-2 flying rocket plane (BALLS 23)
yeknom-ecaps
Member

Posts: 660
From: Northville MI USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 12-26-2014 08:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for yeknom-ecaps   Click Here to Email yeknom-ecaps     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The X-2 flies again — a 1:5 scale scale Bell X-2 at 8 feet 4 inches long weighing 46.2 pounds flew at BALLS-23.

BALLS is the premier experimental rocket launch in the continental US. This year marked the 23nd year it was held in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada.

BALLS brings dedicated rocketry enthusiasts devoted to the leading edge of non-professional rocketry activities together for the best demonstration of experimental motor design using today's best technologies, and probably the largest non-professional rockets seen anywhere.

Here are photos by Neil McGilvray and a video of the flight of the latest X-2 rocket plane.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 12-27-2014 04:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is one of the most amazing flights of a model I have ever seen!

micropooz
Member

Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 12-27-2014 08:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for micropooz   Click Here to Email micropooz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Too cool! The X-2 flies again, 58 years later!!!

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 12-27-2014 02:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Any reason the model is painted white? Were any real X-15's this color? I've only seen black ones. Thanks.

yeknom-ecaps
Member

Posts: 660
From: Northville MI USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 12-27-2014 03:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for yeknom-ecaps   Click Here to Email yeknom-ecaps     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Gary - This a model of the Bell X-2 not the NAA X-15. Here is a photo of Pete Everest with the white color X-2.

Here is a photo of the white X-15. Caption: X-15 No. 2, with a white ablative coating and twin external fuel tanks, drops away from NASA's B-52 carrier aircraft. The aircraft, in this configuration, set the world's speed record of 4,520 mph for winged aircraft. (NASA Photo EC68-1889)

micropooz
Member

Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 12-27-2014 03:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for micropooz   Click Here to Email micropooz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The X-2's (there were two of them) were painted just like the model. They flew from 1954 to 1956.

The X-15's (there were three of them) were black, and a totally different configuration than the X-2's. They flew from 1959 to 1968. It is interesting to note that for two missions of the X-15-A2, it was covered in a white colored foam insulation.

All times are CT (US)

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