Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket No. 1 / NACA 143
The first D-558-II Skyrocket, Bureau No. 37973 and NACA 143, began flight testing on February 4, 1948 with Douglas pilot John Martin. Initially a ground-launched turbojet aircraft, it was converted in 1954-1955 for air launch with rocket power. It made 123 flights, all but one in the Douglas contractor program; John McKay flew its sole NACA rocket-powered familiarization flight on September 17, 1956.
Identity
- Aliases
- NACA 143BuNo 37973D-558-II No. 1Douglas D-558-II 143
- Name
- Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket No. 1 / NACA 143
- Status
- retired
Details
- Description
- The first D-558-II Skyrocket, Bureau No. 37973 and NACA 143, began flight testing on February 4, 1948 with Douglas pilot John Martin. Initially a ground-launched turbojet aircraft, it was converted in 1954-1955 for air launch with rocket power. It made 123 flights, all but one in the Douglas contractor program; John McKay flew its sole NACA rocket-powered familiarization flight on September 17, 1956.
- First Flight Date
- 1948-02-04
- Manufacturer
- Vehicle Family
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 6, 2026 at 22:48:45 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 13:13:03 UTC
Other
- Last Flight Date
- 1956-09-17
- Serial Number
- BuNo 37973
- Vehicle Code
- NACA 143