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Today in Aviation History: Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket Sets World Altitude Record
On August 21, 1953, Major Marion E. Carl piloted the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket to 83,235 feet over Edwards Air Force Base, setting a new world altitude record. Though not officially recognized due to launch rules of the time, the achievement marked a major milestone in supersonic research and highlighted the Skyrocket’s vital role in pushing the boundaries of postwar aviation.
Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket, Bu. No., 37974, NACA 144, is dropped from the Boeing P2B-1S Superfortress, Bu. No. 84029, NACA 137. (NASA)
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On this day in aviation history, 72 years ago, on August 21, 1953, the world altitude record was shattered by a Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket. The milestone flight occurred at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with Major Marion E. Carl, USMC, at the controls of Skyrocket Bu. No. 37974, the third aircraft produced in the series.
D-558-2 #145 with external stores. Photo NASA
The launch began at 30,000 feet, carried aloft by a Boeing P2B-1S Superfortress, Bu. No. 84029. Once released, Carl ignited the rocket engine and pushed the sleek research aircraft to Mach 1.728 before climbing to a breathtaking 83,235 feet. This surpassed the previous record of 79,494 feet, set just two years earlier in the same aircraft type by Douglas test pilot Bill Bridgeman. Despite the achievement, the record was not officially recognized. At the time, the National Aeronautic Association required altitude attempts to begin from the ground, while speed runs had to be flown at a prescribed altitude. Because the Skyrocket’s mission began with an airborne launch, its record-breaking climb was classified as unofficial.
Bill Bridgeman. Image via Wikipedia
The D-558-2 was a cutting-edge supersonic research aircraft developed for the U.S. Navy and NACA. Powered by a combination of a Westinghouse J34-WE-40 turbojet producing 3,000 pounds of thrust and a Reaction Motors XLR8-RM-5 rocket engine with 6,000 pounds of thrust, the Skyrocket was capable of remarkable performance. Using both powerplants, the aircraft could reach a top speed of 1,250 miles per hour at 67,500 feet and climb at an astonishing 22,400 feet per minute.
Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket Bu. No. 37974 glides back toward Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base, with a North American F-86E-1-NA Sabre (50-606) flying chase. Among the regular chase pilots for Bill Bridgeman and Scott Crossfield were Lt. Col. Frank K. “Pete” Everest and Maj. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager. (NASA)
Only three D-558-2 Skyrockets were built, the first flying on February 4, 1948. They became vital tools in supersonic research, amassing 313 flights before retirement. Beyond Carl’s record-setting mission, the program’s most famous milestone came on November 20, 1953, when Scott Crossfield became the first pilot to fly at Mach 2 in Skyrocket 37974.
Viewed in this 1955 photograph is the NACA High Speed Flight Station D-558-2 #2 (144) Skyrocket, an all-rocket powered vehicle. The Skyrocket is parked on Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base. This aircraft, NACA 144/Navy 37974, was the first to reach Mach 2. Photo via NASA
Remarkably, all three Skyrockets survive today and can be seen at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California, the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California. The Skyrocket remains an enduring symbol of postwar experimental aviation, representing the daring research efforts that paved the way for the space age.
Douglas D-558-2 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum. November 03, 2017. Photo by Eric Long.
Commercial Pilot, CFI, and Museum Entrepreneur, with a subject focus on WWII Aviation. I am dedicated to building flight experience so I can fly WWII Fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, for museums and airshows, and in the USAF Heritage Flight. I lead and run the Pennington Flight Memorial, to honor local MIA Tuskegee Airman F/O Leland “Sticky” Pennington.
On this day in aviation history, 72 years ago, on August 21, 1953, the world altitude record was shattered by a Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket. The milestone flight occurred at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with Major Marion E. Carl, USMC, at the controls of Skyrocket Bu. No. 37974, the third aircraft produced in the series.
