D-558-1 SKYSTREAK

The Douglas D-558 Skyrocket is an American experimental aircraft, a slow-support mid-wing, all-metal structure. The wings had a slight negative rise and a 35-degree slope. The propulsion was a mixed-jet (Westinghouse J34-WE-40 engine) and rocket (Reaction Motors XLR-8-RM-5 engine). The plane was created as a result of cooperation between the US Navy and NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautica). The design of the D-558 aircraft was divided into two stages - in the first stage, airplanes with a traditional wing profile and powered only by a jet engine (designation D-558-1) were tested, in the second, a machine with two engines installed and with oblique wings (designation D-558-) was tested. 2). The first flight of the D-558 took place in 1947. In the course of further experiments, the third (no. 37975) of the prototypes built was the first in the history of aviation to exceed twice the speed of sound. It took place on November 20, 1953. D-558 were carried into the air by the so-called the carrier plane from which they took off only later. These planes had a special rescue system in the event of a failure, where the front part of the machine, including the cockpit, was separated from the rest and, when it reached low speed, the pilot could catapult himself. Only three prototypes of this experimental aircraft were built. Technical data (for the D-558-2 version): Maximum speed: 2078 km / h, climb speed: 114 m / s, maximum ceiling 5030 m, length: 12.8 m, wingspan: 7.6 m, height: 3, 8m.