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) |
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A. Scott Crossfield, North American Aviation. X-15 Pilot no. 1. North American Aviation |
Crossfield with an Inland Sport monoplane, 1935. Crossfield collection |
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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 |
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Dive bomber training in Jacksonville, Florida, 1944. Crossfield is standing second from left with a Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft behind him. Crossfield collection |
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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 |
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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 |
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Scott Crossfield discusses his 20 Nov. 1953 Mach 2 flight with Edwards AFB High Speed Flight Station director Walt Williams. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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The D-558-2 Skyrocket, flown by Crossfield, was first past Mach 2 on 20 Nov. 1953. Dave Stoddard collection |
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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 |
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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 |
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Scotty was the subject of a French tea card. author's collection |
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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 |
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Unwrapping their new toy, X-15 no. 1 arrives at Edwards AFB on 17 Oct. 1958. Edwards History Office |
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Scott Crossfield poses with "Scott Crossfield," the MC-2 pressure suit fit check dummy. North American Aviation |
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Iven Kincheloe with Scott Crossfield discussing the X-15. North American Aviation |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Extreme wide-angle view shows the tight fit of the X-15 cockpit. North American Aviation |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Technicians check the lower ventral parachute area on X-15 no. 1. North American Aviation |
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Bob White, Scott Crossfield, and Joe Walker. Cathie Godwin collection |
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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 |
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The Crossfield Family: Wife Alice. (children back row) Anthony, Sally, and Paul. (in Scott's lap) Thomas and Betty. Sally Crossfield Farley collection |
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Scott Crossfield after a successful mission. author's collection |
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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. |
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On 15 Aug. 2006 Crossfield was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. author's collection |
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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 |
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