high_frontier

Yes, I've seen the comments you're referring to - can't remember if they're in the book YEAGER or elsewhere. There was certainly a tension between the Air Force test pilots and the NACA/NASA research pilots. Both Yeager and Pete Knight expressed opinions that their civilian counterparts were more interested in the technical side of research than flying and lacked the skill and experience that the Air Force pilots had. Having said that most of the civilian pilots had prior military combat experience so were clearly capable at what they did.

With regards to the XB-70 incident, in retrospect it seems foolish that a close formation flight was attempted with the wings in their down position as these created huge vortices. Also the weather was poor that day (Walker had commented to a colleague that it was 'a bad day for flying' but he had to 'get this thing done')

You should try getting in touch with public affairs or the history officer via the NASA Armstrong website- they may be able to help

She was given an Air Force Commission when selected as were the other female cosmonaut candidates, so at the time of her flight held a military rank and was generally pictured in her uniform

Thanks for sharing! That's a great story, hadn't heard it before.

I don't think many at Dryden or the surrounding area forgot him. He was held in high regard by colleagues, but apparently this didn't count at NASA HQ

It's interesting to note though that although Ben Rich explains that they decided they wouldn't bid, Lockheed WERE one of the airframe contractors in Phase 2 and it's difficult to imagine that the Skunk Works weren't a part of that effort especially given the work they did towards the scramjet powered X-24c in the seventies.

Also, they went on to the X-33 in the mid 90's so clearly felt confident in a suitable "something stronger" thermal protection system by then

I agree with your thoughts on the decision making behind NASP. Even while it was still COPPER CANYON, doubts were being raised. Most of the big decisions to proceed seem to have been made after relatively brief presentations with limited technical detail or discussion. NASP was a case of selling a big picture without stopping to ask how possible it really was.

Personally, I find the X-33 more frustrating as this got far closer to flight and although it may never have led to VentureStar it would have been a great hypersonic testbed