X-15

ESTES Model #1890

Description

In 1967 the X-15 experimental rocket-powered aircraft reached a record speed of Mach 6.72 at an altitude of 108 km. The X-15 program was a joint effort between NASA and USAF between 1959 and 1968. This joint program by NASA, the Air Force, the Navy, and North American operated the most remarkable of all the rocket research aircraft. Composed of an internal structure of titanium and a skin surface of a chrome-nickel alloy known as Inconel X, the X-15 had its first, unpowered glide flight on June 8, 1959, while the first powered flight took place on September 17, 1959. Because of the large fuel consumption of its rocket engine, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at about 45,000 ft and speeds upward of 500 mph. The airplane first set speed records in the Mach 4-6 range with Mach 4.43 on March 7, 1961; Mach 5.27 on June 23, 1961; Mach 6.04 on November 9, 1961; and Mach 6.7 on October 3, 1967. It also set an altitude record of 354,200 feet (67 miles) on August 22, 1963, and provided an enormous wealth of data on hypersonic air flow, aerodynamic heating, control and stability at hypersonic speeds, reaction controls for flight above the atmosphere, piloting techniques for reentry, human factors, and flight instrumentation. The highly successful program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo piloted spaceflight programs as well as the Space Shuttle program. The program’s final flight was performed on October 24, 1968. This model is a Ready-To-Fly 1:44 scale-like version of the original.

Additional Information

  • Length: 13.5″
  • Diameter: 1.12″
  • Wingspan: 5″
  • eight: 3.3 oz.
  • Altitude: 600′
  • Recovery: 18″ Parachute
  • Recommended Motors:
    • B4-2, B6-2, C6-3

Instructions

Photo Gallery

Build History

  • 03/10/2006 – Purchased Quest X-15 from Al’s Hobby Shop for $9.58 (Retail $11.99). Kit is RTF and therefore no additional build history is available.

Flights

DateLocation#MotorComments


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