2015-12-01: X-Planes

Curated by Tim Nelson. December, 2015 – February, 2016.

An exhibit of cutting edge experimental, research, and prototype aircraft from the dawn of flight to the present day.

Models on display

Description

Wright Flyer

With this aircraft, the Wright Brothers' were the first to successfully demonstrate sustained, controlled flight. It was a research aircraft in every sense.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

Bristol 138

One of the first aircraft developed specifically to investigate the challenges of high altitude flight.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn

Heinkel He-100

First of a new generation of very fast fighter prototypes, briefly held world speed record in 1939.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert

Heinkel He-178 & Von Ohain Turbojet

The world's first practical jet aircraft was powered by the pioneering turbojet engine conceived by Hans von Ohain.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Mike Morrow (aircraft), Steve Galacci (engine)

Messerschmitt Me-209

Purpose built for speed records, this aircraft held the world piston engine speed record from 1939 to 1969.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert

Heinkel He-280

World's first jet fighter prototype, soon overshadowed by the Messerschmitt Me-262.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Spencer Tom

Gloster E.28/39 "Whittle"

The first British jet aircraft, powered by a turbojet designed by Frank Whittle.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Mike Morrow

Kawasaki Ki-78 Kensan

High speed research aircraft, designed with speed record breaking in mind.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert

Northrop N-9M

A 1/3 scale testbed for the YB-49 flying wing bomber then under development.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Vought V-173

A "discoidal" aircraft concept devised by Charles Zimmerman. Known as the "Flying Pancake", it had unique capabilities but offered no particular advantages in military application.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn

Kostikov 302 Rocket Interceptor

Would-be Soviet ramjet interceptor, but ramjet problems forced redesign for rocket power. The project was cancelled after limited flight test due to technical problems and diminished military need.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Morgan Girling

MiG I-250

Hybrid propulsion prototype, intended to counter the German Me-262. The piston engine powered the jet's compressor section.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Spencer Tom

Bell X-1

The famous X-1 was the first aircraft to fly at supersonic speed in level flight, piloted by Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947. Three vehicles were built, all powered by XLR-11 rocket engines.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert

De Havilland DH108

The three DH 108s were important post-war high speed research aircraft, and the first British type to exceed Mach 1. All three were lost in fatal accidents.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Douglas D-558-1

A joint program of the U.S. Navy and NACA, the "Skystreak" contributed significantly to understanding transonic flight (near Mach 1, the speed of sound).

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert

Bisnovat 5 ("Aircraft 5")

Postwar supersonic research aircraft. Gliding flights revealed handling problems which led in part to its cancellation.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Morgan Girling

Douglas D-558-2

The "Skyrocket" was the first aircraft to exceed Mach 2, piloted by Scott Crossfield on November 20, 1953.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Northrop X-4 "Bantam"

The refined aerodynamics of this tailless research aircraft were too far ahead of late 1940s flight control technology.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn

Boulton Paul P.111

This tailless research aircraft was significantly modified over time to improve handling qualities.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn

Bell X-5

World's first variable sweep aircraft was inspired by the captured German (fixed wing) Messerschmitt P.1101 fighter prototype. It made important contributions to swept-wing aerodynamics.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

Douglas X-3 "Stiletto"

It looked fast but flew slow. Still, the X-3 contributed to understanding the "inertia coupling" phenomena that plagued long-bodied, thin-winged aircraft in the early 1950s.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

Bell X-1A

The X-1A improved on the X-1 with a better cockpit, and greater fuel capacity for extended rocket burn time. In 1953-54, it held both the world speed and altitude records.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Bell X-1E

X-1 #2 was redeveloped into the X-1E, incorporating further cockpit refinement, new super thin wings, upgraded rocket turbopumps, and enhanced data collection capabilities.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Schubert

Bell X-2

The first aircraft to exceed Mach 3, piloted by Mel Apt on September 27, 1956. The aircraft departed controlled flight in one of many early encounters with "inertia coupling", and Apt lost his life.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

SNCASO Trident

Fighter prototype using both rocket and wing-mounted turbojet engines

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn

Lockheed F-104 (NASA Chase)

A variety of high performance aircraft have performed chase, training, and support functions. They could accompany test vehicles over much of their flight envelopes.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Scott Kruize

SNECMA Coléoptère

The "Beetle" explored vertical takeoff and landing during nine flights before its destruction in a non-fatal accident.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Chellie Lynn

Hiller X-18

Experimental cargo transport concept, and the first testbed for tilt-wing technology. The concept lives on in today's Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Terry Moore

North American X-15

Probably the most significant research aircraft ever, the X-15 made giant contributions to the understanding of hypersonic flight. X-15 data directly influenced the design of the Space Shuttle.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

NASA Paraglider Research Vehicle (Parasev)

This contraption was based on the ideas of NACA engineer Francis Rogallo. It was a testbed for gliding spacecraft recovery methods considered for Project Gemini.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Morgan Girling

NASA M2-F1

The first NASA lifting body was a lightweight "proof of concept" vehicle made mostly of wood. It was first towed by a souped up Pontiac Catalina, later by an R4D (C-47) airplane.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Martin SV-5D/X-23A PRIME

"Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry" was the name given this 1/6 scale version of the later USAF X-24A. It was successfully launched into space and recovered.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Northrop HL-10

Fastest (Mach 1.86) and highest flying (90,303 ft) of the manned lifting bodies.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Northrop M2-F2

First heavyweight lifting body, derived from the M2-F1 configuration. It had serious handling problems, and was nearly destroyed in a non-fatal landing accident. It was rebuilt as the successful M2-F3.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Martin X-24A

Final major manned lifting body design, built on the shape of X-23 PRIME. The X-23/X-24A configuration strongly influenced NASA's late 1990s X-38 vehicle.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

NASA/Vought F-8 Super Critical Wing

A Vought Crusader was adapted to investigate supercritical airfoil technology, which reduces the strength of shockwaves that form on transonic aircraft wings. This fuel saving technology is now common on commercial airliners.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Terry Moore

Martin X-24B

A major modification of the X-24A, this aircraft fully validated the concept of precision unpowered approach and landing. It was the final manned rocket-powered "X-Plane."

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

Lockheed "Have Blue"

Top secret proof of concept testbed for stealth techology to be used in the F-117 Nighthawk.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Pat Murphy

NASA AD-1

The Ames-Dryden-1 successfully demonstrated pivoting, oblique wing technology.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Al Sauer

Grumman X-29

Although not the first forward swept wing aircraft, the X-29 made great strides with carbon fiber composite materials and fly-by-wire flight controls.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Osborn

Rutan Boomerang

Burt Rutan's Boomerang was designed to make a twin engine aircraft much easier to handle in engine failure situations.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Al Sauer

NASA X-38

Based on the extensively tested X-23A/X-24A configuration, this International Space Station crew return vehicle concept was to be recovered automatically by parasail. Project was cancelled as unnecessary.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

Boeing X-45 UCAV

"Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle" concept demonstrator for a completely autonomous unmanned aircraft, capable of suppressing air defenses.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Tim Nelson

SpaceShip One

First privately developed human spacecraft, winning the Ansari X-Prize in 2004 and setting the stage for commercial human spaceflight.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Bill Glinski

Northrop X-47B UCAS

Demonstrator for a carrier-based unmanned vehicle, capable of aerial refueling and carrier landings.

Scale: 1:72 Modeler: Jim Bates

Douglas X-3

Despite its sleek appearance, the X-3's performance was disappointing.

Scale: 1:65 Modeler: Dan Ehrhardt

Boeing B-29 and Bell X-1A

The X-1A (shown here in final NACA livery) and other early rocket vehicles were carried aloft by a B-29 mother ship.

Scale: 1:48 Modeler: Terry Moore

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *