Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 431 (January 26, 2013)
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heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 01-26-2013 02:37 AM
This photo of X-15 no.1 was taken after flight 1-35-56, flown by NASA pilot Jack McKay on May 15, 1963 - the same day Gordon Cooper was launched on MA-9. During McKay's flight, the nose gear scoop door opened at about Mach 5. Due to the heating the tires blew at landing. Note that somebody changed the 'Beware of blast' sign next to the reaction control thrusters to 'Beware of Beast'. Ed Hengeveld |
APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 01-26-2013 07:39 AM
That's neat! |
328KF Member Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 01-26-2013 11:14 AM
That is an interesting shot and thanks for pointing out both the time context and the "Beast" sign. It also appears that the fire crews may have hit the X-15 with foam, given the streaks running down the side of the nose. |
mach3valkyrie Member Posts: 719 From: Albany, Oregon Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-26-2013 05:40 PM
Jack McKay certainly had his share of mishaps with the X-15. I knew about the November 1962 crash landing in the number 2 aircraft, but not this tire blowing episode.Great photo — thanks for posting. |
micropooz Member Posts: 1512 From: Washington, DC, USA Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 01-26-2013 07:16 PM
A postal cover for this event: May 15, 1963; Edwards AFB machine canceled; Boy Scout rubber-stamped cachet: autographed by McKay. McKay was a true unsung hero. I would have loved to have met that guy... |
East-Frisian Member Posts: 586 From: Germany Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 01-27-2013 02:15 AM
The wheel is not to use again, I believe. |
mckaymb New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 08-16-2013 05:47 PM
Hey heng44, I'm a son Jack McKay and he certainly had his share of problems. I actually have a piece of one of the rear skids from his November accident in #2 ship. It still has lake bed dirt on it! |
micropooz Member Posts: 1512 From: Washington, DC, USA Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 08-16-2013 07:21 PM
Wow, mckaymb - welcome to collectSPACE!There is a subset of us on cS who are very interested in the X-15 and its history. And I think I can speak for us all to say that we would love to hear more about your Dad, one of the unsung heroes... |
Jurg Bolli Member Posts: 977 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 08-16-2013 09:42 PM
Yes, let us X-15 guys hear more stories! |
Michael Clemente Member Posts: 186 From: Atco, New Jersey, USA Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-16-2013 10:13 PM
I definitely would like to hear the stories you have concerning your father's test pilot career and his exploits with the X-15.
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mckaymb New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 08-17-2013 01:28 AM
Thank you all for the heartfelt replies. I would love to tell you all my stories growing up with these guys. I'll start with when Dad brought Mom from Virginia around 1951 to live in Mojave, Ca. in the old Army quarters. Mom, growing up in an environment that had trees and forest, ask my Dad... "what the hell is out here?" Dad replies... "planes." Mom told me that story. And that is where the adventure began. |
mckaymb New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 08-17-2013 01:38 AM
Being new, how can I post photos and pics? |
heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 08-17-2013 01:45 AM
Welcome to collectSPACE, Milt. Here is the info you need. |