Pictures from the X-15 project

Thanks!!-awesome Aero (space!) plane-i remember Bill Dana saying in an interview that it would go from mach 5 to 6 in 8 seconds!!-what a ride that must’ve been!

Adding to the wedge shaped stabiliser I seen to remember, that the X-15 didn’t have a conventional rudder. Rather it had two spoiler/speedbreak-type control surfaces (one on each side of the stabiliser).

Another thing…. I’ve long been curious about the fin – why it is wedge-shape? The tiny amount I know about aerodynamics screams “wrong” but it obviously wasn’t.

Roger Smith.

Hi Roger,

Justan educated guess about the fin, but I think it’s to create a ‘swirl’ behind the surface that would ‘pull’ at the back of the aircraft, keeping it tracking correctly. Slower aircraft (BAe Systems Hawk for example) have this feature on the trailing edge of their undamped rudder. The tug created by the swirl or vortex keeps dragging the surface straight. It works in theory and hope it’s correct!!!:o

C6

Great pics Mondariz – always liked the X-15

I think it always give the impression of being a large aircraft and it’s only when you see people around it you realise it’s not.

Another thing…. I’ve long been curious about the fin – why it is wedge-shape? The tiny amount I know about aerodynamics screams “wrong” but it obviously wasn’t.

Roger Smith.