Bell X-2.com: Sightings » Edwards AFB

X-2 Memorial, 55 Years Later

Carrie — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:20:03 +0000

It’s so nice to hear that the X-2 and Capt. Mel Apt haven’t been forgotten. Fifty-five years after the crash, Tony Accurso and a group assembled at the X-2 crash site to honor the Capt. Apt. Here’s his recap (Thanks, Tony!):

On Tuesday, 27 Sep 11, several base personnel including myself, my daughter Evelyn, Tony Moore, Peter Merlin and the Base Archeologist returned to the location of the Bell X-2 Capsule to pay tribute to Capt. Mel Apt. This past Sunday, Oct 2, 2011, my daughter Evelyn and I along with our good friend Tony Moore of “The X-Hunters” returned to the Bell X-2 Crash Site to honor Capt. Mel Apt in our own way. We brought a photo of Capt. Apt, an original X-2 model and flags which were placed at the location of the X-2 tail site. The flags are going to be sent to the Apt family which have been contacted by Tony Moore. As a personal tribute, I flew my Radio Control F-22 Profile Parkjet over the site performing several low passes and a landing on the X-2 tail site. I couldn’t get a real F-22 fly over but this was a good substitute. It was a very special week!

Evelyn Accurso & Tony Moore

X-2 Crash Site Memorial in the Works

Carrie — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:15:04 +0000

Fifty five years after his fatal crash, a memorial is in the works to honor Capt. Mel Apt and the Bell X-2. Located in the Kramer Hills area, just east of Edwards AFB, the crash site memorial will be installed this Fall or Winter.

Many thanks to Greg Frazier for spearheadding this effort and keeping me updated! As soon as more details (and photos) are available, I will post here on the blog.

More details can be found on the WreckChasing.com message board.

Air Research & Developent Command Issue

Carrie — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:57:58 +0000

Cover from the October 1954 issue of Life of the Soldier and the Airman, a recruiting magazine/handout.

Edwards AFB in My Backyard

Carrie — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:48:42 +0000

This is as exciting as it gets in Milwaukee: The carcass of a Shorts 330 in Edwards markings, tail number 40458 (aka N264AC). If you have any information on this plane, please drop me a note!

Toward The Unknown On DVD!

Carrie — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:34:24 +0000

Toward The Unknown is now available, remastered, from the Warner Brothers Archive Collection. It is a “print-on-demand” DVD, which is the ‘new’ standard it appears for classic film. That model is fine by me: it allows companies such as WB to offer rare, classic films without having to worry about mass distribution to all the stores. I’ve purchased from the Archive Collection before with no issues,

When you buy TTU, and I know you will, pick up a copy of The McConnell Story also and support the WB Archive!

Once I get my copy from WB, I’ll share some screen caps and more information!

Major General J. Stanley Holtoner Obituary

Carrie — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:22:49 +0000

On December 17, Maj. Gen. Stanley Holtoner passed away at 99 years.

I wrote to him a few years back and asked him to sign a few pictures for me. He was kind enough to do so, including a print of the Ad Inexplorata shield, which came to be under his leadership of Edwards AFB.

Another chapter of flight test history closed.

Robert A. Rohrer

Carrie — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:55:50 +0000

Sad news to pass along – I recently learned that Robert A. Rohrer passed away January 18. Bob was a friend of the Web site, offering a number of his never before seen color X-2 and Toward the Unknown photos for the site. Bob was a pleasure to work with and I always enjoyed swapping emails with him. He will be missed!

Bio | X-2 Photos | Behind The Scenes, Toward The Unknown Photos

Field Trip

Carrie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:53:21 +0000

Read about my visit to the X-2 crash site this past October.

New Life Magazine X-2 Pics

Carrie — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:59:03 +0000

It looks like Life magazine continues to scan their collection of photos. I just completed a search for X-2 and ran into some new pictures, many also from their Air Age story. In addition to the X-2, it looks like new photos of Pete Everest, Iven Kincheloe, Fitz Fulton, program members & more are appearing.

Life Magazine Articles Online

Carrie — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:31:57 +0000

Google & Life are at it again – this time with full issues of Life Magazine online. It appears that only select years are online right now. Check out this Edwards AFB / X-2 article from June 18, 1956.