Special Sub-Topic: The X (Plane) Files! Click Here To Play: The X (Plane) Files!

What company built the X-1 aircraft that Chuck Yeager flew through the 'sound barrier' on October 14, 1947?

Bell. Bell was a premier X-plane builder in the late 40s - early 50s. Besides the three X-1 aircraft, Its other products included the X-1A-B-D series, the X-1E (a modified X-1), the X-2 and the X-5.

Which of these aircraft was a large 'flying wing' bomber prototype?

All of them (XB-35, YB-49, YRB-49). Jack Northrop was a die-hard believer in the 'flying wing' concept. His company rolled out the XB-35, powered by four piston engines, in 1946. The YB-49 was a jet-powered derivative, with eight engines buried in the wings. The YRB-49 reconnaissance bomber was Northrop's last shot at a production contract for the {design;} it had four jets buried in the wings and two slung in underwing pods. (Interestingly, when Northrop Aircraft *did* finally hit pay dirt in the 1990s with the B-2 stealth bomber, its wingspan -- 172 feet -- was exactly that of the original XB-35!)

Scott Crossfield became the first person to reach Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) on November 20, 1953. What aircraft was he flying?

Douglas Skyrocket. Crossfield used an all-rocket-powered version of the sleek Skyrocket to break Mach 2. His record was {short-lived;} Chuck Yeager zoomed to Mach 2.44 in the Bell X-1A on December 12.

What was the nickname of the Douglas X-3?

Stiletto. While the X-3's long, needle-nosed fuselage and tiny wings justified its 'Stiletto' name, it was a real dog as an X-plane. Originally intended to study flight at Mach 2, it could barely reach Mach 1 because of underpowered engines and tricky flying characteristics. The X-3's wing design *was* subsequently used by Lockheed on its F-104 fighter series -- the real 'Missile With A Man In It!'

What concept did the Bell X-5 test?

Variable-sweep wings. The X-5 actually was a scaled-up version of a Nazi fighter prototype, the P.1101. The Bell aircraft verified the aerodynamic advantages of varying wing sweep angle in flight, paving the way for later designs such as the F-111 Aardvark, F-14 Tomcat and B-1B Lancer.

What type of aircraft were the X-24A-B, M2F2-3 and the HL-10?

Lifting bodies. NASA and the Air Force explored the 'lifting body' concept from 1963 to 1975. A lifting body is basically a wingless vehicle that flies using aerodynamic lift generated by the shape of its fuselage. The concept is being used today in NASA's X-33 and X-38 test space vehicles. (Footnote: Spectacular footage of an M2F2 crash was used in the opening sequence of ABC's 'Six Million Dollar Man' series!)

Which of these NASA astronauts also flew the North American X-15 rocket plane?

Neil Armstrong. As a NASA civilian test pilot, Neil Armstrong made seven flights in the X-15 from December 1960 to July 1962. Armstrong wasn't the only astronaut to participate in the {program;} space shuttle commander Joe Engle made 16 X-15 flights, exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) on 10 of them.

What was unique about the NASA-Air Force-Grumman X-29?

Forward-swept wings. With its forward-swept wings, the X-29 was an odd-looking machine. The wings were mounted toward the rear of the fuselage, and canards -- small wings to control up-and-down movements -- were in front of the wings instead of on the tail. Grumman, NASA and Air Force pilots flew the two X-29 aircraft from 1984 to 1992. Interestingly, a recent Russian fighter prototype design, the Sukhoi S-37 Berkut, uses forward-swept wings and canards, and looks almost like the X-29's big brother!

Where were most experimental and prototype aircraft tested in the 1950's?

Edwards AFB. Edwards became the nation's premier flight test center in the 1950s. The Navy's NATC at Pax River is that service's equivalent, but it has never achieved the fame that Edwards has. (Appropriately, Edwards AFB was named for USAF Captain Glen Edwards, who was killed testing the Northrop YB-49 flying wing.)

One more flying wing question (just for fun): In which famous 1950s science fiction movie did the YB-49 play a key role?

War of the Worlds. As a last-ditch measure, the YB-49 is ordered to nuke the Martian 'nest' outside Los Angeles -- alas, to no avail. The Martians' protective shield keeps them safe from the blast.