X-2 First Flight Documentary

The first flight of the Bell X-2 series took place on June 27, 1952, flown by Bell factory pilot Jean "Skip" Ziegler. The nose gear collapsed on landing, the first of many landing gear problems in the series. This footage is taken from the rocket.aero DVD "Mach 2: D-558 and X-2." For more information visit: www.rocket.aero

[@billpassman8590]

My dad, Richard Passman, was Chief Aerodynamicist of the Bell X-2 (and X-1A, X-1B after it first went supersonic). That is him at around 10:10 of the video shaking hands with Skip Zeigler. He thought the world of Skip Zeigler. He wrote in a short memoir how Zeigler and he practiced maneuvers and deadstick landings during the week in another plane with similar low speed handling; with my dad on radio, giving him guidance on what to expect. On the morning of this test flight, they drove in together, and it was cold, so Zeigler gave my dad his flight jacket (that he is wearing in the video). When my dad reached him after landing, as seen, Zeigler was giddy, telling dad: "It flew just like you said it would." As aerodynamicist, that was the highest complement that could be given; and from one of the test pilots that he had the highest respect for.

[@Azena63]

Great archive footage ! Sounds like Head of Flight Test Section at the time, Col. Frank 'Pete' Everest narrating.

[@shelbyblaisdell6593]

Azena63 sounded to me like Bob Hoover.

[@phmwu7368]

7:15 "Ace of spades" on Jean Skip Ziegler's open face helmet.. Between July 1951 and May 53 he flew several X-planes... X1A, X1D, X2 !

[@djpalindrome]

First flight: no engine because Curtis-Wright hadn’t finished making it work yet. As usual, the nose gear collapsed on landing and severely damaged the aircraft

[@hckyplyr9285]

Who narrated this?