DOUGLAS SKYROCKET TAKE-OFF AND LANDING RAW FOOTAGE 32284

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Published 2015-09-21

This silent footage shows a flight test of the Douglas Skyrocket, with the aircraft attached to a B-29, taken to altitude, and then dropped over Edwards Air Force Base to make a powered flight and landing on the lakebed. The Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (or D-558-II) was a rocket and jet-powered supersonic research aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy. On 20 November 1953, shortly before the 50th anniversary of powered flight, Scott Crossfield piloted the Skyrocket to Mach 2, or more than 1,290 mph (2076 km/h), the first time an aircraft had exceeded twice the speed of sound.

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All Comments (4)

@hckyplyr9285 8 years ago

Holy cow! D-558-II! What a find! Great, thanks!
@matthewhutton2810 7 years ago

This is absolutely awesome... they made 3 of the D-558's, this one is number 2, number 1 was jet powered only, #3 was a mix just like number 2, equipped with both a jet and rocket engine, carrying liquid oxygen, alcohol, and aviation grade gas, all for fuel. The number 3 plane is on permanent public display on a stand at my Alma Mater, Antelope Valley College, in Lancaster, Ca. Its a beautiful and impressive aircraft to see. Though, if you compare it to say a modern day fighter jet, it is pretty small lol.
@johneddy908 6 years ago

Douglas also built the D-558-1 Skystreak. Unlike the Skyrocket, it only used kerosene for fuel, and could only take off and land from the ground.