Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak (Phase 1)

History of Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak (Phase 1)

World War II (1939-1945) sparked a research boom in U.S. aviationespecially in supersonic/supersonic travel and rocket/jet flightthat would impact military and civilian markets for decades. The product of this period was the Douglas D-558-1 "Skystreak", which was developed by the U.S.

Navy and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics ("NACA" - the predecessor of our current NASA facility). The program delivered three of the six planned experimental aircraft, which were simply (and sequentially) designated D-558-1 #1, #2, and #3numbers 4, 5, and 6 removed .

Skystreak, intended from the outset as a research-oriented data collection platform, will develop along a three-phase route, including a dedicated turbojet-powered airframe, a hybrid jet/rocket-powered design, and the U.S. military Potentially procured combat-oriented interceptor/fighter. Various changes should be made between these drafts, such as: B. Repositioned air intakes and different wing configurations to finalize the optimal characteristics of the transonic airframe in future products. The joint venture was commissioned on June 22, 1945 to develop six airframes, and the plan was modified to reduce the total to just three, all of which would use the same air intake locations/airframes for simplicity wing layout.

Production of the first test model began in 1946 and ended in January 1947. After installation of its internals, the aircraft departed from Mulroc Army Airfield (Edwards Air Force Base) on April 14, 1947. The vehicle was designated "Phase 1 D-558-1".

Ongoing evaluation of the D-558-1 family of research aircraft found that the design was generally sound as it approached speeds of Mach 1, with some instabilities. The first airframe made a total of 101 flights before being retired and delivered to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. The second fuselage was lost in a crash (pilot Howard Lilly was killed) and managed 46 flights in its shortened career. The cause of the crash was ruled "compressor decay", reiterating that the life of a test pilot is not a glamorous one, but a profession fraught with everyday dangers.

The third airframe remained in service until June 1953, after which a total of 78 flights were flown. She is now on display as a museum exhibit at the Carolina Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The D-558-1 "Phase 2" portion of the project evolved into the D-558-2 "Skyrocket" and its hybrid jet/rocket propulsion system (described in detail elsewhere on this page). Three examples of this type were built during their first flight on February 4, 1948.

These models are designed for high-speed flight studies using swept-wing arrangements rather than straight-wing transonic sky stripes. The plane is believed to be the first to exceed Mach 2 - twice the speed of sound.

The D-558-1 "Phase 3" was Douglas' short-lived proposal for a high-speed military swept-wing interceptor. Taking into account all the data collected from the D-558 family of research aircraft, the airframe will be powered by either a General Electric TG-180 or a Westinghouse 24C rocket-powered swept-wing turbojet. The aircraft in its final form will be armed with 2 x 20mm cannons or airborne missiles.

The initiative failed.

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