Bell X-2.com: Sightings

XLR-25 Rocket Engine Images Added to Album

Thanks to Mike R., I’ve just added a series of photos of a Curtiss-Wright XLR-25 rocket engine to the X-2 Photo Album.

The two-chambered engine is on display at The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey in Teterboro.

Toward The Unknown On DVD!

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!

Quantum Leap X-2 Restoration Update

Tom Dozier, team lead on the X-2 mockup restoration at the Planes of Fame museum has sent over some restoration progress photos. Check out the pics in the X-2 Photo Album.

Pete Everest Featured in Friends of the RAF Newsletter

The Society of Fr iends of the Royal Air Force Museum just sent out their Spring issue of The Flying M newsletter and Roy was kind enough to send me a copy. This particular issue offers an article on Pete Everest and the X-2.

Collings Foundation Picks Up F-100 – Carrie Happy

Other than the X-2, one of my other favorite planes is the F-100 Super Sabre. Oddly, I’ve never seen one fly, but hope to change that soon. The Collings Foundation, which usually brings its small air force to this neck of the woods every July for EAA, is now the proud owner of a F-100F.

I hope they keep the Thunderbird markings or at least something colorful (no Vietnam flat camo, please). I would also like to put my few bucks in for a F-100 t-shirt (I already have one of their slick F-4 shirts).

Learn more on the Collings web site. And yes, I wouldn’t mind purchasing a ride in the jet.

TTU Photo Album Update

Just added a new Toward The Unknown movie poster to the TTU Photo Album. Many thanks to Richard L. for the image.

“The Hunters” Tidbits

If you’re a fan of Toward the Unknown or 50′s aviation movies, you know about the film The Hunters by now. Check out this article on Sabre-Pilots.org for some background on the film.

Wanted: Scale X-2 Drawings

Bumping up for Tom Dozier . . . he had left a comment on a past post. And Tom confirmed, yes, this is the Quantum Leap X-2 mockup.

If you know, leave a comment!

Does anyone have any scale drawings, even from this model? I am the team leader of the restoration for static display of the
Bell X-2 Starbuster replica at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. The horizontals are missing and we would like to have the dimensions
of the horizntal stabilizers to have a set made for the aircraft.
Thanks for any help.
Visit Planes of Fame online at:

http://www.planesoffame.org

View more X-2 mockup photos

My New Favorite Blog

I just ran into my new favorite site: Jet Pilot Overseas. Yup, anything and everything related to USAF Flight Jackets, Planes, Flight Gear and Test Pilots 1946-1969.

The creepy thing? I knew exactly what the title of the blog was referring to and dug out my copy of the same 1959 book. Add to that, I noticed a link back to the blog here!

Awesome site!

Major General J. Stanley Holtoner Obituary

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.