\"X-15 Test Pilot\" Scott Crossfield Clipped Signature for Sale

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\"X-15 Test Pilot\" Scott Crossfield Clipped Signature For Sale

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\"X-15 Test Pilot\" Scott Crossfield Clipped Signature:
$48.99

Up for sale \"X-15 Test Pilot\" Scott Crossfield Clipped Signature.
ES-4504E

Albert Scott Crossfield(October 2, 1921 – April 19, 2006) was an Americannaval officerandtest pilot. In 1953, he became the first pilot to fly at twice thespeed of sound. He was the first of twelve pilots who flew theNorth American X-15, an experimentalspaceplanejointly operated by theUnited States Air ForceandNASA. Born October 2, 1921, inBerkeley, California, Crossfield grew up inCaliforniaandWashington. He served with theU.S. Navyas aflight instructorandfighter pilotduringWorld War II. During this time, he flew theF6FandF4Ufighters, as well as SNJ trainers, and a variety of other aircraft. From 1946 to 1950, he worked in theUniversity of Washington\'sKirsten Wind Tunnelwhile earning hisBachelor of Sciencedegree in 1949 andMaster of Sciencedegree inAeronautical Engineeringin 1950.As chief engineeringtest pilotfor North American, Crossfield played a major role in the design and development of theNorth American X-15and its systems. Once it was ready to fly, it was his job to demonstrate its airworthiness at speeds ranging up to Mach 3 (2,290mph). Because the X-15 and its systems were unproven, these tests were considered extremely hazardous. Crossfield flew 14 of the 199 total X-15 flight tests with most of these tests establishing and validating initial key parameters. Crossfield not only designed the X-15 from the beginning, but introduced many innovations, including putting engine controls of the rocket plane into the cockpit. Previously, all engine adjustments resulted from technicians making adjustments on the ground based upon results of flight profiles. It was during this time that Crossfield was part of theU.S. Air Force\'sMan In Space Soonestproject. On June 8, 1959, he completed the airplane\'s first flight, an unpowered glide from 37,550 feet. The flight was troubled as the flight controls had not been set up properly. As Crossfield attempted to land the unfueled X-15, it went into what Crossfield described as \"a classic PIO\" or pilot induced oscillation. He managed to set down the X-15 on the desert runway at the bottom of one of the severe oscillations saving himself and the airframe. On September 17, 1959, he completed the first powered flight. Because of delays in the development of the X-15\'s mammoth 57,000 pounds force (254kN) thrust XLR-99 engine, the early flights were completed with a pair of interim XLR-11 rocket engines. Shortly after launch on his third flight, one of these engines exploded. Unable to jettison his propellants, Crossfield was forced to make an emergency landing during which the excessive load on the aircraft broke its back just behind the cockpit. He was uninjured and the airplane was repaired. On June 8, 1960, he had another close call during ground tests with the XLR-99 engine. He was seated in the cockpit of the No. 3 X-15 when a malfunctioning valve caused a catastrophic explosion. Once again he was uninjured as Dr.Toby Freedman, NAA Medical Director, pried open the cockpit to save him and despite being subjected to a later calculated acceleration force of near 50 Gs (although Crossfield stated in the Discovery Channel\'s seriesFrontiers of Flightthat he began to have debilitating issues with his night vision after the accident) and the airplane was completely rebuilt. On November 15 of the same year, he completed the X-15\'s first powered flight with the XLR-99 engine. Two flights later, on December 6, he brought North American\'s demonstration program to a successful conclusion as he completed his final flight in the X-15. Although it had been his hope to eventually pilot one of the craft into space, the USAF would not allow it, and gave strict orders which basically amounted to \"stay in the sky, stay out of space.\"