North American X15 - Surface Modelling & 3D Print

In 1967 the North American X15, an experimental aircraft used in test flights to gather information to aid aircraft and spacecraft design set the record for the world's the fastest manned powered aircraft reaching Mach 6.7. It was powered by a single rocket engine and regularly achieved altitudes above the 50 miles which qualified most of its pilots as astronauts. The North American X15 contributed hugely to advances found in modern air and spacecraft.

I was inspired to model this iconic plane after being contacted by a modelling enthusiast from the US who was interested in buying and printing one of my earlier 3D print models, the SR71 Blackbird. The X15 took me two days to model using 2D drawing from the internet. It's quite a simple shape but it did sharpen up my surface modelling skills nicely.

I have modeled one of the earliest versions, hence the oval windows and no wingtip pods. I think it looks badder lwith the oval windows. I also had to make a few small changes to the shape of the tail to make it printable without infill or supports. This also speeds up the build time and cuts down on material costs.

If you have a 3D printer  with a build volume of at least 190mm x 190mm x 190mm, you can build my 1/35th scale model of this iconic plane. It's available for download here: https://pinshape.com/items/35442-3d-printed-north-american-x15