Douglas Skyrocket

The Douglas Skyrocket (the D-558-2; also found, D-558-II) was a rocket-powered research aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the U.S. Navy. With Scott Crossfield at the controls, the D-558-2 became the first airplane to fly twice the speed of sound.

Specifications (D-558-2 Skyrocket)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 42 ft 0 in (12.8 m)
• Wingspan: 25 ft 0 in (7.6 m)
• Height: 12 ft 8 in (3.8 m)
• Wing area: 175 ft² (16.2 m²)
• Empty: 9,421 lb (4,273 kg)
• Loaded: 15,266 lb (6,923 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 15,787 lb (7,161 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 x Westinghouse J34-WE-40 3,000 lbf (13 kN); 1 x Reaction Motors XLR-8-RM-5 6,000 lbf (27 kN) rocket engine

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,291 mph (2,078 km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Service ceiling: 83,235 ft (25,370 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: 90.2 lb/ft² (442 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.39 lbf/lb (3.8 N/kg)