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  Photo of the week 431 (January 26, 2013)

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Author Topic:   Photo of the week 431 (January 26, 2013)
heng44
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From: Netherlands
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posted 01-26-2013 02:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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
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posted 01-26-2013 07:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for APG85     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That's neat!

328KF
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posted 01-26-2013 11:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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posted 01-26-2013 05:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mach3valkyrie   Click Here to Email mach3valkyrie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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posted 01-26-2013 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for micropooz   Click Here to Email micropooz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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
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From: Germany
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posted 01-27-2013 02:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for East-Frisian     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The wheel is not to use again, I believe.

mckaymb
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posted 08-16-2013 05:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mckaymb   Click Here to Email mckaymb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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posted 08-16-2013 07:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for micropooz   Click Here to Email micropooz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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posted 08-16-2013 09:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jurg Bolli   Click Here to Email Jurg Bolli     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, let us X-15 guys hear more stories!

Michael Clemente
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posted 08-16-2013 10:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Michael Clemente   Click Here to Email Michael Clemente     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I definitely would like to hear the stories you have concerning your father's test pilot career and his exploits with the X-15.

mckaymb
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posted 08-17-2013 01:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mckaymb   Click Here to Email mckaymb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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posted 08-17-2013 01:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mckaymb   Click Here to Email mckaymb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Being new, how can I post photos and pics?

heng44
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Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
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posted 08-17-2013 01:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Welcome to collectSPACE, Milt. Here is the info you need.

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