Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket

1948

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Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket

Experimental high-speed research plane with combined propulsion: turbo-jet for take-off and rocket engine for high-altitude flight. First flew on February 4, 1948. In August 1951 after deploying from Boeing P2B-1S (B-29) D-558-2 reached a speed of 1992kph and an altitude of 24230m. On August 31, 1953 the aircraft reached an altitude of 25370m and on November 20, 1953 set a speed record of 2.05M. 3 built.

Specification 
 MODELDouglas D-558-2 "Skyrocket"
 CREW1
 ENGINE1 x Westinghouse J4-WE-22 turbo-jet, 13.3kN and 1 x Reaction Motors XLR-8 rocket engine, 26.7kN
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan7.62 m25 ft 0 in
  Length13.79 m45 ft 3 in
  Height3.51 m12 ft 6 in
  Wing area16.26 m2175.02 sq ft

Comments
Hank Murrow, e-mail, 11.02.2015 00:12

My father, Richard B Murrow, was an aeronautical engineer for both the Skystreak and Skyrocket research aircraft while working for Douglas from 1938 to the late fifties.

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Ken Jarecki, e-mail, 07.06.2012 17:18

The 558II is in my opinion one of the most beautifull airplanes ever designed.

reply

Bill Macdonald, e-mail, 20.10.2010 07:09

I did the Testing on the Yaw Damper Control.

reply

Jeff Butler, e-mail, 26.05.2008 05:12

One example of the Skyrocket is on display at the Planes Of Fame Air Museum, in Chino, California

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