10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and
“Flew 235 missions in the Hun in SEA with the 309th @ TuyHoa and the 615th @ Phan Rang. Separated from the USAF in mid 73 and returned to operate the family ranch in Montana.
Bought a Super Cub in 73 and it’s still here on the ranch starting on its third engine.
Retired from the ranching operation in 2000 and went to work for Big Sky Airlines flying the old Metroliner. Got forced out in the age 60 deal in 2005 but stayed on in the training department until they shut the doors in 2007.
Got involved with some Bozeman guys who just happened to own four F-100F’s, an F-86, and a T-bird. They’re all Flight Systems aircraft. Got typed in the T-bird and am thinking seriously of flying the F-86 this summer. It will be ready to fly late April. If we can rob a bank or two we’ll fly the Huns but 1000gal/ hr is a little tough on the pocketbook!”
