North American X-15 (X-Planes, 3)

Back before the U.S. manned program properly got underway, and the Mercury Astronauts became instant national heroes, the X-15 rocket plane was the manned space program. Its pilots flew experimental rocket planes to the edge of space and back, at speeds unheard and nearly inconceivable at the time. Most of the operation was run out of a remote Air Force base deep in the California desert. This is the story of the program and the plane."North American X-15" is an Osprey X Planes Series book, authored in great detail by Peter Davies. The book picks up the story of the X-planes at the transition from the X-1 and X-2 to the next big thing, a manned aircraft built to go hypersonic. What became the X-15 was truly cutting edge technology, and the accounts of the test flights, and the mishaps, reveal just how dangerous cutting edge technology can be.The text is nicely supported with lots of period photographs, diagrams, and modern illustrations. There are thumbnail biographies of some of the test pilots, both civilian and military, including some who went on to prominent roles in the manned space program. Highly recommended as a good introduction to the topic, for the general reader and the student.

A number of books have been written about the spectacular North American X-15, but Peter Davies' book is the first low-price account detailing the history of the X-15. Quite of interest is the note that North American Aviation considered delta-winged, scramjet-powered X-15 versions, including one launched from the fuselage of a B-70 Valkyrie at high altitudes. When comprehending the unanimity among veteran X-15 pilots that the Apollo program and Space Shuttle would have been impossible if it were not for the treasure troves of data from the X-15 program, it is a coincidence that the very manufacturer of the X-15 would go on to manufacture one of Saturn V's stages, the Apollo command and service module, and the Space Shuttle.

Quite a good book to add to collection for those interested in special aircraft and those who want to become more familiar with X-15 program.

This book is a great read for anyone interested in the Bell X-15 research program. The text in this book is detailed, yet not too complicated. The diagrams are excellent. There are many nice pictures and drawings. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Bell X-15 research program, and/or rocket planes in general.

Clarified and expanded things I thought I knew about the program. Could have been helped with more illustrations, photos or engineering drawings. But still very much worth my time and money. Highly recommend to all interested.

good for scale modeling

Another fantastic aircraft and the last and best of the best of the X Planes which contributed so much to the development of the Space Shuttle.

Great info of the history and operation of the experimental/ research X-15 aircraft, set several speed and altitude records during its operational time.

アマゾンで新品書籍を期待してはならない！角打ちと擦れキズ等、新品とは思えぬ商品。書籍、特に洋書に関しては新品がまともな商品として届くとは思わない方が良い。また、書籍の梱包が一般商品と同じ方法なので、易損品である書籍では損傷も発生する。この点を理解しての購入をオススメします。商品内容は、ネットの情報量が上なので、一部珍しい写真があるといったところです。

L'ouvrage est passionnant car il décrit par le détail toutes les difficultés rencontrées par l'équipe chargée des tests, avec en particulier les problèmes récurent du premier moteur fusée. Une extraordinaire épopée ou les hommes forgent leur avenir pour que se réalise la navette et que se poursuive la conquête spatiale. Le seul petit défaut que j'aborderai serait le manque d'explication sur les échauffements de structure ou l'Inconel semble avoir été la solution. Je pense, sans que cela ai été précisé que la boule située à l'extrémité avant de l'appareil était destinée à dévier une partie des flux au delà des ailes ce qui a peut être permis tous ces records de vitesse. Je recommande ce livre exceptionnel qui rend honneur à ces hommes, techniciens comme pilotes, qui ont fait faire un bon à la technique aérospatiale et donc à l'humanité.

Comme toujours, les éditions Osprey sont concises, didactiques et précises. Et, ce qui ne gâche rien, les illustrations 3D sont magnifiques !

Très bon livre qui résume avec beaucoup de photographies l'incroyable histoire du X-15 et de ses pilotes. Plus un aperçu des projets jamais réalisés avec cet appareil quasiment spatial.Pour tous ceux qui veulent plonger dans cette épopée des années 60.

Excellent book