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Fuselage of X-15 no. 1 under construction at the North American Aviation Los Angeles Division plant. Edward Zadorozny collection |
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The aft body of X-15 no. 1 under construction at the NAA plant. The opening in which the man is kneeling is where the XLR99-RM-1 will eventually be fitted. North American Aviation |
The X-15 Project Group office. (L-R) Project Engineer Charles H. Feltz, with his assistant supervisors Raun Robinson and Bud Benner. North American Aviation |
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Harrison Storms and Scott Crossfield admire their handiwork after the X-15 no. 1 rollout on 15 Oct. 1958. North American Aviation |
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The North American Aviation crew starts to lift the X-15 into position for loading on the B-52 pylon prior to the first flight. North American Aviation |
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X-15 no. 1 nears first mating with the B-52 mothership in March 1959. North American Aviation |
Stowing the X-15 nose gear is a manual operation while mated to the B-52 pylon. North American Aviation |
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Richard DeMore and Bill Swuwalski, work with helium chilling and the hydrogen peroxide units as servicing begins for a flight. The X-15 hangs on the pylon above. North American Aviation |
Mechanical and electrical leadmen Carmel Loiacano and John May check over the plan with the head of the maintenance crew, Art Semone. North American Aviation |
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Scott Crossfield enters the cockpit to start systems checkouts. North American Aviation |
With Crossfield in the X-15 behind them, technicians go over a checklist. North American Aviation |
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An NAA support and radio van, with staff on hand for a flight of Scott Crossfield. (L-R) Bob Culleton, Fred Underhill, Ollie Kramer, and Ed Cokeley. North American Aviation |
A pre-flight communications planning session with (L-R) Larry Henderson, Jim McWilliams, Jerry Roberts, Blake Staub, and Bill Berkowtiz. North American Aviation |
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A joyous North American Aviation crew celebrates the successful completion of the first X-15 glide flight (mission 1-1-5) on 8 Jun. 1959. The only identification I have so far from this group is NAA engineer William T. M. "Swampy" Roberts (top row, 3rd from right, in glasses). North American Aviation |
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An NAA crewman works in the instrument bay, directly behind the cockpit, while two others look on. Note that skin panels are removed, one of which is in the foeground. North American Aviation |
Cleve Kimmel (L) receives a surprise visit by NASA X-15 pilot Jack McKay at the NAA Los Angeles Division Building 4 in February 1967. North American Aviation |
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Harrison Storms led the team at North American Aviation's Los Angeles Division to secure the contract to build the X-15 rocket plane. NASA Headquarters |
(L-R) Howard Evans (NAA manager of Weapons Systems Advance Design), Harrison Storms (X-15 NAA Chief Engineer), and George Mellingor (manager of NAA Engineering Flight Test). North American Aviation |
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The North American Aviation crew at the rollout of the X-15A-2 on 14 Feb. 1964. North American Aviation |
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Harrison Storms (L) shows off a large X-15 model to Maj. Gen. Victor R. Haugen, Raymond H. Rice (P-51 Chief Engineer), Brig. Gen. Paul T. Cooper, and Walt Williams. author's collection |
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Harrison Storms discusses the space program with Wernher von Braun. North American Aviation |
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— The North American Flying Horsemen — |
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"I belonged to a horseback riding club established in 1937 by executives, engineers and pilots of North American Aviation. The club became very famous in the southland in that it was modeled after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was marketed by some great leaders of North American Aviation. The group participated in the Rose Parade, Sheriff's Rodeo in the Coliseum, and many other parades and events during their existence. It ended as a riding group but continued on as reunions until just a few years ago where the remaining members of the group were less then four, I being one of them. I ended up with all the scrapbooks and equipment."
— Harry Shapiro, NAA Engineer, and member of the North American Flying Horsemen |
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Logo of the North American Flying Horsemen. author's collection |
A Horseman checks over his steed's tack. author's collection |
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The North American Flying Horsemen lined up and ready to ride on 1 Apr. 1937. Harry Shapiro collection |
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Capt. Gordon Throne, founder of the Flying Horsemen, on 1 Jan. 1938. Harry Shapiro collection |
The Flying Horsemen on the field at the Coliseum doing the Pinwheel on 14 Aug. 1949. Harry Shapiro collection |
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Harry Shapiro (L), with fellow Flying Horsemen, Bill Monzon, Bob Walker, Bob Dodson, and Calvin Hurd. They are at the Dominguez Horse Show on 8 Jun. 1963. Harry Shapiro collection |
Harry performing a precision horse maneuver called tent pegging at the Salinas Rodeo on 21 Jul. 1968. Harry Shapiro collection |
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