First test flight of the Douglas F5D-1 Skylancer aircraft at Edwards Air Force Ba...HD Stock Footage

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First test flight of the Douglas F5D-1 Skylancer aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California

The first Douglas F5D-1 Skylancer aircraft (BuNo 139208) at Edwards AFB for its maiden flight on April 21, 1956, with test Douglas Aircraft test pilot Robert O. Rahn at the controls. Test pilot Rahn climbs aboard the aircraft, which is painted in US Navy colors. After several views of pilot, Bob Rahn, in the cockpit, the scene shifts to the airplane on takeoff roll. It takes off smoothly accompanied by a T-33 chase plane. The F5D climbs out steeply and is next seen in level flight cruise configuration. The sequence concludes with the F5D on final approach and landing, with T-33 flying in parallel. The aircraft touches down smoothly and rolls out in a nose high attitude, seeming to almost drag its tail, but not quite. Photographers record the landing from the side of the runway. Reportedly the test flight was smooth overall and the aircraft easily exceeded the speed of sound on this, its first flight. (Note: The US Navy cancelled the F5D Skylancer order, after only several aircraft were built. Two were eventually acquired by NASA.) Location: California. Date: April 21, 1956.

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