The Douglas company made a series of supersonic research aircraft in the 1940s. The D-558-1 Skystreak fitted with a jet was followed by the D-558-2 Skyrocket fitted with a jet and rocket. It also had a swept wing and was a new design. First flight was 4 February 1948 at Muroc. Three test aircraft made over 300 flights and could also be air dropped. Skyrocket #2 was the first aircraft to reach MACH 2. Data from the program were used to make future jet aircraft.
D-558-2 Skyrocket
This is Skyrocket #1 serialled 37973. It is on proud display at the Planes Of Fame Air Museum, Chino.
Photographed November 2016 by Cees Hendriks, (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Some plastic scale models available: Revell had old odd 1/54 and 1/65 scale kits. In 1/48 Collect-Aire had a kit. In 1/72 scale MACH2 has a short run kit with now a far better Special Hobby kit in that 1/72 scale.
The walk around page was first published December 2017 by M. de Vreeze.