Customer Reviews

Into the Unknown : The X-I Story

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This book covers the struggle between the Army/Air Force, Bell Manufacturing and the NACA (predecessor of NASA) in the creation of the X-1, the first plane to break the sound barrier. It is a marvellous story of the engineering decisions made not by any one of those agencies, but in cooperation with all of them. For one who wants to learn why Edwards Air Force Base was chosen over the Florida base to test the new development planes, or why the civilian pilot in charge of testing was replaced by Chuck Yeager in the latter stages of testing the X-1, or why NACA was at such odds with the other entities over test procedures/schedules, and the existence of the various X-1 'copies' and who owned and tested them ... the answers are here.

Learn a little about the D-558-I, which used a jet propulsion engine which is the mother of our modern jet aircraft (the X-1 used rocket power, not jet power). Why do our modern military fighters use a jet engine, not a rocket engine for propulsion ?

The accidents and near accidents, including fires, loss of pressurization, flight instability, and such are discussed with an analysis of what might have caused them, and steps taken to prevent reoccurences.

The book covers in fine detail the technical issues involved in designing and building the planes. The administration of the entire program is spelled out with names and memos which brings to life the heated arguments and disagreements arising in building a machine many thought was merely a death machine, sure to kill every pilot who attempted to break the barrier.

Of lasting impression on me, was the realization that the designers, manufacturers, and pilot testers of these planes were in their twenties. The head of the NACA team in charge of the X-1 project (for NACA) was 29 years old (or so). Those working for him were even younger. Of particular interest to me is the role of my father (John Gardner) who was part of the NACA team. He was 25 years old in 1947. Their counterparts at Bell were of similiar age.

The week I bought this book I was visiting Edwards AFB. I got a chance to tour the base, experiencing the climate 51 years to the day since the sound barrier was broken, and view the surrounding terrain and landscape. It certainly added to my interest in reading the book.

Got this book as a gift. Great cover, interesting topic...dud of a book. Oh well, it was a thoughtful gift nonetheless.

Unfortunately, this book is less the story of the X-1 and more a case study in government and engineering beaurocracy at work. I made it halfway through the first chapter, until the author pointed out that the specs brought to the March 15-17, 1945 meetings didn't meet the required "flight capability as stipulated at the December 20-21 meeting between Bell and ATSC," because "the proposed design would carry a total fuel load of 6,740 pounds of propellant"...well, that's when I realized that this book is a regurgitation of meeting minutes, contracts, and technical data. There may be a story somewhere in 318 pages--but I can't find it. Ugh.

I'm sure the Smithsonian had good reason for publishing this book. I just can't figure out a good reason for reading it.