The six Douglas D-558 research aircraft, built as two variants, were produced for a US Navy and NACA collaborative project to investigate flight in the high sub

The six Douglas D-558 research aircraft, built as two variants, were produced for a US Navy and NACA collaborative project to investigate flight in the high sub

"Crimson test Tube", "Supersonic Test Tube" and "Flying Stove Pipe" were just some of the nicknames bestowed upon the D-558-1 over the years. Skystreak was the

- Provides complete coverage of the little-known Douglas X-Planes. - Includes details of the first Mach 2 aircraft (D-558-2) and the first-ever Mach 2 flight. -

At the dawn of the supersonic jet age, aircraft designers were forced to devise radical new planforms that suited the new power of the jet engine. One of the mo