Summary
Aircraft History
The Douglas Skyrocket was the first aircraft to fly at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). Only three of these experimental aircraft were flown by the National Advisory Council for Aeronautics (NACA) which was the predecessor to NASA. Funded by the US Navy, the first Skyrocket flew in 1948 powered by a Westinghouse J34 jet engine and Reaction Motors B1 rockets. The Mach 2 flight took place on 20 November 1953 over Edwards Air Force Base in California after Skyrocket D558-2 flown by Scott Crossfield was released from the bomb bay of a Boeing B-29. Crossfield reached Mach 2.01 at around 60,000 feet.
Model History
This 1:32 scale model of a Douglas Skyrocket was commissioned by the Museum and received in 1958. It features cut-away sections in the fuselage.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Brand Names
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Classification
Air transport, Aircraft, Model turbo jet & rocket aircraft - experimental
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
230 mm (Width), 450 mm (Depth), 90 mm (Height)
Measurements of model only without stand. 'Width' is model wingspan, 'Depth' is model length from nose to tail, 'Height' is overall model height.
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Maximum dimensions
435 mm (Length), 233 mm (Width), 60 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation.
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Model Scale
1:32
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Keywords
Aeroplanes, Military Aircraft, Model Aeroplanes, Rockets, Scale Models