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August 4, 2026THEECAMS.COM

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This Day in Aviation

1960

NASA Research Test Pilot Joseph Albert Walker Set Unofficial World Speed Record in X-15A

On 4 August 1960, NASA research test pilot Joseph Albert Walker set an unofficial world speed record flying the number one North American Aviation X-15A, 56-6670. Airdropped from a Boeing NB-52A Stratofortress over Silver Lake, Walker fired the rocket plane's two Reaction Motors XLR11-RM-13 engines for 264.2 seconds. The X-15 accelerated to 2,195 miles per hour (3,533 kilometers per hour), reaching Mach 3.31 and climbing to 78,112 feet during this 18th program flight.

This marked 56-6670's eighth flight and Walker's fourth X-15 sortie, aimed at gradually increasing speed toward the design limit. The interim XLR11 power plants provided thrust slightly exceeding the future XLR99's idle. Walker landed at Edwards Air Force Base after 10 minutes, 22.6 seconds. The flight surpassed Captain Mel Apt's 1956 Bell X-2 record, which ended tragically when Apt's aircraft broke up immediately after reaching Mach 3.196.

Trivia

1. Which aircraft's 1956 speed record was surpassed by Joseph Walker's 1960 X-15 flight?

  1. A. Bell X-2
  2. B. Boeing NB-52A
  3. C. Lockheed SR-71A
  4. D. Concorde
Show answer

A. The evidence states Walker's flight was the first to exceed the speed reached by Captain Milburn G. Apt flying the Bell X-2 on 27 September 1956.

2. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Sound heard when a jet breaks the sound barrier?

  1. A. TIS
  2. B. PDX
  3. C. NOAA
  4. D. BOOM
Show answer

D. BOOM is the matching crossword entry.

3. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Active, as an electrical circuit?

  1. A. LIVE
  2. B. SEATTLE
  3. C. OSL
  4. D. EIN
Show answer

A. LIVE is the matching crossword entry.