The world speed-run X-15A-2.....

[dhanners]

Yukonjohn has already done two great repaints of Henry Yuen’s X-15, and now he makes it three. But it isn’t merely a repaint; he turned the model into the X-15A-2, the stretched version of X-15-2, 66671, in which Pete Knight set the world speed record of Mach 6.7 (4,520 mph) in October 1967.

The fuselage of the X-15A-2 was stretched 28 inches from the original airframe, and the side tunnels were extended to the rear of the fuselage. For the world speed run, the aircraft was covered in an ablative coating. The coating was pink, and was covered with a white sealant. The vehicle carried a dummy ramjet on the modified lower vertical stabilizer and it nearly caused a catastrophe; heat flow from the dummy ramjet caused overheating that nearly burned off the tail. The structural damage was so extensive that the X-15A-2 never flew again.

Yukonjohn make the necessary alterations, did the repaint, designed a dummy ramjet and enlarged the model from 1/87 to 1/72. I added a number of scratchbuilt details, including the “eyelid” that covered the port cockpit window. I improved the XLR-99 motor. The model went together well, and I’m indebted to Yukonjohn for adding this important aircraft to our genre. To my knowledge, this is the first card model of the all-white X-15A-2.

I’m told model should be in the downloads section in the near future….

[gregbal]

Beautiful job on a landmark aircraft!

[-Jim G]

That looks Great! I saw the real aircraft at the USAF Museum a few years ago.

[The Mole]

Another great job. You're not going to try a delta-wing version are you?

[yukonjohn]

No delta wing in my plans . The white X-15 is now in the download section.


John

[dhanners]

Originally Posted by The Mole

Another great job. You're not going to try a delta-wing version are you?

In theory, a delta-winged X-15 wouldn't be hard to scratchbuild. Assemble the fuselage, side tunnels and vertical stabilizers, then fashion delta wings out of black cardstock. In theory.

Got fancy with a base I found at the stationery store. The fist X-15 and the world-record speed run X-15A-2:

[rockpaperscissor]

Awesome models and display. Great job!

[jparenti]

Wow! A whole series of X-15 variants in paper is something I like to see. Great job on these. It’s nice that someone finally remembered the all white version — even in plastic, most modelers opt for the black planes.

[dhanners]

Originally Posted by jparenti

Wow! A whole series of X-15 variants in paper is something I like to see. Great job on these. It’s nice that someone finally remembered the all white version — even in plastic, most modelers opt for the black planes.

Between the three X-15s, there were a multitude of variations in markings. They often changed from mission to mission, particularly on the upper vertical stabilizer. And when it carried the serial number on the tail, they often changed the font and size.

Add to that the potential for weathering -- the heat scorched and burned off paint -- and there are a lot of things you can do.

There is one correction on the X-15A-2, and the error is solely mine. The very top of the upper rudder wasn't covered with the ablative coating and sealant. It was left black. Completely missed that when I was gathering info and images for Yukonjohn. Did a little surgery this morning and fixed my version because it was gonna bug me until I did....

[Hans Christian]

exquisite work sir!!