North American X-15A-2 Mockup
The X-15 is one of the most successful aircraft of the X-Plane series of experimental aircraft. Designed in the late 1950s to explore high altitudes and high speeds the X-15 flew 199 times and set both altitude and speed records. Eventually the X-15 flew high enough to earn its pilots Astronaut wings. It also set the world’s absolute speed record by flying over six times the speed of sound.

Service History: North American Aviation built the mockup on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in 1956. It was used as a construction guide for the building of the three X-15s that flew at Edwards Air Force Base. It has been modified to represent the X-15A-2 which added two external fuel tanks to increase the burn time of the aircraft’s rocket engine.

Wingspan22 ft 4 in.
Length50 ft
Height13 ft
Weight56,130 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed4,520 MPH
Service Ceiling354,200 ft
Range275 miles
EngineOne Thiokol XLR99-RM-2 rocket engine with 57,850 pounds of thrust
Crew1
ManufacturerNorth American
MarkingsU.S. Air Force/NASA, Edwards Air Force Base, 1968
DesignationX-15A-2
Serial Number“56-6671”

Front: Mercury capsule
Abover: early UAVs