Albert Scott Crossfield, 2 October 1921 to 19 April 2006 (84 years)

X-15 Missions: 14 flights from 8 June 1959 to 6 December 1960

Highest Speed: Mach 2.97 (1,960 mph)xxxxxxxxxxHighest Altitude: 88,116 feet (16.7 miles)

A. Scott Crossfield, North American Aviation. X-15 Pilot no. 1.

North American Aviation

Crossfield with an Inland Sport monoplane, 1935.

Crossfield collection

Homebuilt models of seaplanes, 1932.

Crossfield collection

A gas-powered model that flew more than 1,000 times!

Crossfield collection

Showing a prize Guernsey bull at a local fair.

Crossfield collection

Dive bomber training in Jacksonville, Florida, 1944. Crossfield is standing second from left with a Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft behind him.

Crossfield collection

Newly-minted naval aviator, 1942.

Crossfield collection

Scotty in a Grumman F6F Hellcat, 1945.

Crossfield collection

Flying the Vought F4U Corsair in 1946.

Crossfield collection

Crossfield in Seattle in 1947. Scotty is at far left wearing navy peaked cap.

Crossfield collection

Scott, Alice, and their dalmatian "Cadet" in 1947.

Crossfield collection

Scott Crossfield discusses his 20 Nov. 1953 Mach 2 flight

with Edwards AFB High Speed Flight Station director Walt Williams.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

The D-558-2 Skyrocket, flown by Crossfield, was first past Mach 2 on 20 Nov. 1953.

Dave Stoddard collection

Crossfield at the US Navy centrifuge used for initial X-15 testing in Johnsville, Pennsylvania.

Eleanor O'Rangers

Inside the centrifuge, Crossfield uses an engineering mockup control panel.

Eleanor O'Rangers

Scotty standing in front of the X-15 in the NASA hangar.

Note that sections of the fairing's outer skin have been removed, exposing electronics, wiring, and cables.

NASA Headquarters

Scotty was the subject of a French tea card.

author's collection

The transport truck is ready to leave North American Aviation and head up to Edwards two days after the 15 Oct. 1958 rollout of the X-15.

North American Aviation

Unwrapping their new toy, X-15 no. 1 arrives at Edwards AFB on 17 Oct. 1958.

Edwards History Office

Scott Crossfield poses with "Scott Crossfield," the MC-2 pressure suit fit check dummy.

North American Aviation

Iven Kincheloe with Scott Crossfield discussing the X-15.

North American Aviation

Filming tha mating operations of the X-15.

author's collection

X-15 no. 1 fully mated to the B-52 mothership and ready for flight.

North American Aviation

Fog surrounds the pylon and upper body of the X-15 as fueling begins.

North American Aviation

Preparations for the 6th powered flight of the X-15 program in May 1960.

North American Aviation

The X-15 under the B-52's wing early in the program. Note the angle of the horizon in the upper right as the mothership banks to come around to launch position.

North American Aviation

Extreme wide-angle view shows the tight fit of the X-15 cockpit.

North American Aviation

Residual vapor as the X-15 checks its fuel jettison system prior to launch.

North American Aviation

A mere fraction of a second after release from the B-52 mothership.

North American Aviation

Close-up at the moment of launch from the B-52's wing pylon.

North American Aviation

First unpowered glide flight of the X-15: Flight 1-1 on 8 Jun. 1959.

North American Aviation

Flight 1-2 on 23 Jan. 1960.

North American Aviation

The X-15 pulls quickly away from the chase plane taking photos of the launch.

author's collection

Crossfield suiting up prior to an X-15 flight (left), and leaving the aircraft (right) after completing another North American Aviation test mission.

Crossfield collection

Installation of the first XLR99-RM-1 rocket engine in April 1960 on X-15 no. 3.

North American Aviation

Crossfield in the cockpit and ready for another mission.

North American Aviation

Propulsion System Test Facility (PSTF). Note the red-and-white Bonanza in the upper left. This is Crossfield's aircraft that he flew back-and-forth from Los Angeles to Edwards.

TD Barnes collection

An LR-99 test stand run with X-15 no. 2 on 1 Aug. 1960.

Edwards History Office

At the PSTF periscope watching an X-15 engine run is Edwards Fireman Jerry Miller.

North American Aviation

Aftermath of LR-99 mishap on 8 Jun. 1960.

Bob Hoey collection

X-15 no. 3 after it was rebuilt preparing for another LR-99 ground test.

author's collection

Technicians check the lower ventral parachute area on X-15 no. 1.

North American Aviation

Bob White, Scott Crossfield, and Joe Walker.

Cathie Godwin collection

Robert White and Neil Armstrong take the X-15 "keys" from Scotty on 7 Feb. 1961.

North American Aviation

Neil and Bob discuss the upcoming X-15 research program, as Scotty listens in.

North American Aviation

The Crossfield Family: Wife Alice. (children back row) Anthony, Sally, and Paul.

(in Scott's lap) Thomas and Betty.

Sally Crossfield Farley collection

Scott Crossfield after a successful mission.

author's collection

Aviation Week & Space Technology celebrated the life of Scott Crossfield with a cover story on 1 May 2006, after he lost his life in a small plane crash on 19 Apr. 2006.

On 15 Aug. 2006 Crossfield was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

author's collection

Scott Crossfield was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 1965 at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

San Diego Air & Space Museum