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
Ralph, known as Robbie by family and friends, was the son of Anna Hiller and Ralph Carlisle Robinson. He attended Dreher High School, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. He graduated in 1957 from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Business Administration and enlisted in the United States Air Force […]
Ralph “Robbie” Robinson, Jr. Capt. USAF, “Headed West” on April 29, 2024. Read More »
Paul “PK” Kimminau was born in Kingman, KS, February 9, 1936, to Christian and Clara Kimminau. He had five brothers and three sisters. He was raised in Kansas and attended Wichita State University, graduating with ROTC and an Aeronautical Engineering degree. He was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1959, went to pilot
Paul F. “PK” Kimminau, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on April 13, 2024. Read More »
Martin Harvey Mahrt passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 19, 2024, surrounded by his family. Marty was born in Rapid City on November 6, 1933, and attended elementary and high school in Custer, SD. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1955 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
Martin H. Mahrt, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on January 19, 2024. Read More »