Information is still accurate. Just spoke with Rick Ropkey. It is still under restoration at Eagle Creek, pending construction of some new hangars. It is not open to the pubic, but visits could be arranged. His son Noble is at 317-654-4588 and the person I have had the most contact with.
Phillip Gindelberger, e-mail, 01.04.2022 00:36
Do you know if this information is still accurate? If so I might just have to go visit Eagle Creek and see it for myself.
Don Jones, e-mail, 13.04.2021 04:51
John: I worked on this aircraft in 1971, shortly after it's engine change at Ames Research Center, at Moffitt Field, California. It was one of the high lights of my aircraft mechanic career. I visited the Ropkey Armor Museum on two occasions before the museum closed. I'm sure they probably filled you in on the Authur Godfrey story. I still have the names of the other mechanics on the ground crew. Contact me for more information. Don
John, e-mail, 21.02.2021 06:37
Thanks very much, John
Joe Starns, e-mail, 09.12.2020 15:57
I think you mean: XV-15. A truly outstanding tech demonstrator.
Joe Starns, e-mail, 08.12.2020 13:10
The Museum, and the X-14, have moved to Eagle Creek Airpark, outside Indianapolis, Indiana.
The address is 4101 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46254, and the phone is (317) 654-4588.
They are open by appointment only, but are currently restoring the X-14 to near-flyable condition, with taxi tests the spring or summer of 2021.
Joe Starns, e-mail, 08.12.2020 13:10
Found it.
Joe Starns, e-mail, 06.12.2020 00:17
Anyone know where the X-14 is now that Ropkey's is gone?
Ginger Harris, e-mail, 15.10.2020 03:50
Does anyone know where this wound up after Ropkey closed?
GC, 22.11.2012 06:06
@hualunjia
I'm surprised you didn't know that North American built the X-15, not Bell.
hualunjia, 21.06.2011 07:24
I am surprised that there is no mention of the most outstanding of the Bell "X" planes the Bell X15.
Alex Morton, e-mail, 24.01.2011 09:11
Ron Gerdes was a very close and personal friend of mine, along with his lovely and gracious wife Lois. I worked at ESL adjacent to Moffett Field. I would see the X-15 take off and later hover over the field for minutes at a time. Being a Christian and prone to prayer for my fellow man- I prayed for the safety of the unknown pilot of the X-15. One day I was mentioning my experience to Ron about my praying for the brave pilot. He said "Thank you- that was me you prayed for!!!" Blew me over, I'll tell you. Both are now with the Lord - both having died of cancer. He was a man's man. An honest person to the hilt. He and I would tell war stories late into the night...Him being a Naval aviator and me a WWII Air Cadet (I was a little older than he!...I'm 84)- either at his house or mine first at Sunnyvale, CA and then at Mt. Hermon,CA. We both went to Valley Church in Cupertino,CA where Lois played the organ. She was a registered nurse and a good one I can attest from personal encounter with her professionally. Lots of good memories from Ron and Lois. A tribute to them I give via this message. Sincerely, Alex Morton
Bill Davies, e-mail, 19.10.2010 06:14
Perhaps the other Bell "X" airplane should be mentioned in this series - the dreaded X-22A, which I, and others flew.
Bruce, e-mail, 21.06.2010 03:32
The X 14 airframe is now at the Ropkey Armor Museum Crawfordsville IN As part of a very nice military display.
Art Deco, 25.06.2009 20:23
The Bell X-15 was built by North American Aviation so, in fairness, they listed it there.
Barry, 25.06.2009 15:36
I am surprised that there is no mention of the most outstanding of the Bell "X" planes the Bell X15.
Barry, 25.06.2009 15:08
I am so surprised that you have not included any mention of what was the most outstanding of all the Bell "X" planes the Bell X15.
