Mach 2: D-558-2 and X-2 DVD

Taking to the skies in the decade following World War II, the Bell X-2 and Douglas D-558-2 pushed the boundaries of high speed flight to Mach 2 and beyond, expanding our understanding of transonic flight. This exciting DVD package from rocket.aero is our most wide-ranging yet, featuring almost four hours of exciting archival content on these remarkable research aircraft, including the following highlights:

• Footage of the Douglas D-558-1, precursor to the rocket-powered D-558-2

• Coverage of the D-558-2, the US Navy's high-speed jet- and rocket-powered research aircraft

• Extensive coverage of most flights in the Bell X-2 research program, including flights 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, and 20

• The U.S. Air Force documentary "Flight to the Future," featuring the Bell X-2, plus glimpses of the Douglas X-3, Northrop X-4, and Bell X-5

• Coverage of ground handling, systems testing, B-50 carrier aircraft loading, photo and film sessions, and much more

• An X-2 walkaround showing placement and detail of Templac high-temperature paint

• Footage highlighting USAF support of the production of the motion picture "Toward the Unknown," a fictional Air Force drama from 1956

• Two exclusive "Modeler's Notes" audio commentaries covering the D-558 series and the X-2

Running time 227 minutes, NTSC. Encoded for all regions. All images courtesy USAF, NASA and USN unless otherwise noted. Compilation ©2007, rocket.aero.  This DVD contains both silent and sound film elements.