Here is my 1/32nd-scale cardmodel build of Flight 2-19-35, flown by U.S. Navy test pilot Forrest Petersen in X-15-2, 66671, on 28 September 1961. The flight was intended to gather heat transfer and thermostructural data. It involved two types of temperature-sensitive paint — a gray paint on the left wing, tailplane, ventral stub and skid, and a green paint on the rear of the left side tunnel and right ventral speed brake, as well a rectangular patch on each side tunnel. There was an irregularly painted white patch on the right tailplane, and the lower bug eye camera housings appeared white as well. Petersen hit Mach 5.3 and an altitude of 101,800 feet.
The model is a conversion/repaint of the Ken West X-15A-2. I used 170gsm glossy stock, and the build involved shortening the fuselage and side tunnels, as well as numerous other modifications, scratchbuilt parts and improvements. While a friend digitally repainted some parts, I used Tamiya spray paints to replicate the gray and green thermal paints.
Both sides of 66671’s rudder showed heavy weathering even before the flight. The right side was particularly weathered; it carried the remnants of a stripe of gray thermal paint tested on an earlier flight. The stripe obscured the top portion of the serial number, and when technicians tried cleaning it off, it just made a bigger mess. The still-visible portions of the serial were scorched as well.
Weathering/scorching was done with markers of various colors.
In looking at photos from the flight, there is a curiosity on the left side of the tailcone. There are rows of different colored dots, painted somewhat haphazardly. Some appear scorched. Dennis Jenkins, co-author of “Hypersonic: The Story of the North American X-15,” told me they were “tell alls,” dots of thermal paint that change color depending on how hot they get. He said they were cheaper than using thermocouples.
I don’t know much about the X-15 but you give off the impression you know A LOT about the X-15! I enjoy reading about it and I like your models a lot, too! It’s good to see a well made paper model here on the forums. How many X-15s do you have built? How long does it take you to crank out another one after the research is done? do I see it right that your holder can hold the model X-15 from below and from above as well? Thanks for sharing and have a nice day
Thanks for the kind words. I’ve lost count of the X-15s I’ve built in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/32nd scale. I do know this is my fourth in 1/32nd. Probably a dozen or so in 1/48th and as many (or more) in 1/72nd. A bunch are in storage back in the U.S.
Build time on the 1/32nd-scale ones are five or six days, just working in the mornings. Converting the X-15A-2 to the shorter X-15 takes awhile because while you only have to cut 29 scale inches out of the fuselage, the side tunnels require more cutting and fitting.
The stand (a cheapo plastic stand for cell phones and other items I got on Amazon) just holds it right-side up. I turned the photo upside down to make it look like you’re underneath it.
