A Neil Armstrong X-15….

[dhanners]

For my ninth (?!?) 1/48th-scale X-15, I have modeled X-15-1, 66670, as it appeared on Flight 1-19-32. On 9 December 1960, Neil Armstrong made his second flight in the X-15, and it was the program’s first flight with the Q-Ball Flight Path Control Sensor system in place of the nose boom. Armstrong reached Mach 1.8 (1,188 mph) and an altitude of 50,095 feet.

The main reason I wanted to model this flight was there were some interesting markings and an odd bit of plumbing — a tube on the aft fuselage that was probably an alternate hydrogen peroxide vent. Among the unusual markings was a serial number in a different (and much smaller) font than normal. The dorsal rudder carried the yellow NASA banner on the port side but not the starboard side. The ventral rudder carried parachute markings showing it had been re-used 10 times.

To get the right markings (in the right locations) I had to do a lot of scratchbuilding. I used pieces from various YukonJohn repaints to piece together an accurate model. I cut off the dorsal and ventral rudders and built them as separate structures, then glued them to the fixed portions attached to the fuselage. You can see daylight between the rudders and fixed portions in photos, and you’d also be able to see the gap in 1/48th scale. I scratchbuilt the LR-11 motors, and resized a few pieces from Ken West’s X-15A-2.

[Paper Kosmonaut]

What can I say? Meticulously done, well-researched and another great addition to the collection. You know, there will come a moment when the scale will be tipped and you will start to feel the urge to build all 199 flights... (-;
All jokes aside, it's another really great model, David!

[dhanners]

Originally Posted by Paper Kosmonaut

What can I say? Meticulously done, well-researched and another great addition to the collection. You know, there will come a moment when the scale will be tipped and you will start to feel the urge to build all 199 flights... (-;
All jokes aside, it's another really great model, David!

Thanks for the kind words. There are maybe only one or two more schemes I want to do in 1/48th, but I’ve said that before, then I got an itch to build another….

[Texman]

And yet another great piece of work my friend!

[umtutsut]

Fantastic work from the master, David!

Mine still sits quietly in my desktop computer, waiting for my bravery to get higher on the scale. But you've inspired me.

Les (The Voice of Authority)

[MacSongLi]

Add this one to the great X-15 collection that you have built. Nice work once again.

Gary

[Petestein]

[QUOTE=dhanners;786019]For my ninth (?!?) 1/48th-scale X-15, I have modeled X-15-1, 66670, as it appeared on Flight 1-19-32. On 9 December 1960, Neil Armstrong made his second flight in the X-15, and it was the program’s first flight with the Q-Ball Flight Path Control Sensor system in place of the nose boom. Armstrong reached Mach 1.8 (1,188 mph) and an altitude of 50,095 feet.

Fantastic model, can you please tell us what is the model you use as basis for your X-15? The GELI, or what other, easily available to purchase?

[Petestein]

I'ver seen a very highly detailed X-15, if I am not mistaken, designed by K. West. Is this model available anywhere to purchase?

[Mike1158]

Nicely done, Sir. Educational and inspirational at the same time which is a fine achievement.

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Originally Posted by Petestein

I'ver seen a very highly detailed X-15, if I am not mistaken, designed by K. West. Is this model available anywhere to purchase?

Hi Pete,

Ken L. West's X-15 is available over at Ecardmodels and Henry Yuen's 1/87 X-15 on which most of David's builds are based is available here in the download section as Yukon John's repaints.
For the rest, I know David avidly scratch builds and scales parts either up or down to fit his builds.