X-15-3, “Little Joe II”

[dhanners]

Over the course of 199 flights, the three X-15s sported a lot of different markings combinations, but nose art was rare. Actually, the only example I can find that actually flew was on X-15-3, 66672, when it had “Little Joe II” painted on the nose for Joe Walker’s altitude-record flight. It was flight 3-22-36, on 22 August 1963, and Walker hit an altitude of 67.1 miles. It was his last X-15 flight.

“Little Joe” is a dice players' slang for two deuces, and the nose art included two dies. When Walker flew the X-1E, he had “Little Joe” with two dies painted on the nose.

This model is in our downloads section. It is a YukonJohn repaint of Henry Yuen’s X-15 design, in 1/72nd scale. I scratchbuilt the XLR-99 motor, the rear experiment box, the jettison tubes and other details.

[surfduke]

I love it!!!

[MacSongLi]

Another great X-15.

Gary

[dhanners]

Thanks, guys. The family so far:

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Wonderful new one. That X-pedestal really is a great addition to the display as a whole! Great idea! Hope you don't mind if I steal it. (-:

[Doug J]

You have a beautiful collection!

[dhanners]

Thanks. This is only a few of the ones I’ve built. The rest are in storage back in the U.S….

[-Jim G]

Such a fun collection! Thanks for sharing!

[dhanners]

Originally Posted by -Jim G

Such a fun collection! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, Jim! And a teaser for you:

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Wow David, that actually looks really beautiful. Very realistic and beautifully detailed even though it isn't finished yet.