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Author
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Topic: X-15 rocketplane 40th anniversary covers
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SpaceSteve
Member Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 03-09-2014 08:19 PM
   
On 9 Oct 1999, for the 40th anniversary of the X-15 program, 1,500 numbered large envelopes were postmarked and flown over Edwards AFB by Joe Engle. These covers were then signed by the remaining X-15 pilots (Scott Crossfield, Bill Dana, Joe Engle, Pete Knight and Bob White were still alive, as was Neil Armstrong).My question is this: Of the 1,500 covers, does anyone know how many were signed by the respective pilots (all the above except Armstrong). Many of the covers I see are only signed by Crossfield, Dana, Engle and Knight; while some are also signed by White. How difficult is it to find one of these covers signed by all five pilots? |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 03-17-2014 09:15 AM
It would be difficult to tell how many White signed also, as he would have been added later. The covers were done for the Flight Test Historical Society, and only originally came with the other 4. |
Steve Zarelli
Member Posts: 731
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-17-2014 09:37 AM
What Al said.  I recall adding White to mine through a mail request. I sent him a pencil as well so his signature would match the others. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-17-2014 03:04 PM
I've got a few of them, however, I don't think Gen. White was a prime signer at the time. I do know the individual source of their production for the Flight Test Historical Society at Edwards AFB and will contact him soon. |
X-Plane Fan
Member Posts: 150
From: CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 04-07-2014 12:27 PM
The FTHF X-15 anniversary covers are relatively easy to find since they were done in such a large quantity. One of only a few done by a private collector is this one: It doesn't look that special, but it is quite unique since they were not only flown on the NB-52B 1000th flight on 9/16/99 but on the fastest aircraft flying at the time, the SR-71, on 9/27/99 and again on 10/9/99. The reason for being flown twice was that the Blackbird went to 'only' mach 2.7 on the September flight so they were flown again to Mach 3. |
SpaceSteve
Member Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-07-2014 06:57 PM
Thank you all for your input on the covers. I'll stay on the lookout, and hopefully, I'll find one of the covers with all five pilots' signatures on it.X-Plane Fan: Thank you for your post and picture of that flown cover. That's another one I'll have to watch for! |
bklyn55
Member Posts: 361
From: Milford, CT
Registered: Dec 2014
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posted 07-29-2018 11:00 AM
Does anyone know what type of plane Joe Engle was flying when these 1500 covers were carried? |
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