X-15A-2 - "To The Edge Of Space"

The X-15 was designed to explore hypersonic speeds in excess of Mach 6 and altitudes over 300,000 feet. The aircraft was powered by a rocket engine dubbed "the million horsepower engine". There were three X-15 aircraft built and they were flown from 1959 though 1968.  The number two craft was damaged in a crash. It was modified with the fuselage being stretched (2.4 ft) and the addition of two external drop tanks. This enabled the craft to carry 76% more propellant. The new craft was designated X-15A-2. The modifications enabled the aircraft to achieve greater speeds and altitude. During one of the flights, with a special ablative coating, it was able to attain the unofficial record speed of Mach 6.7 (4,520 MPH) in October 1967 with pilot William "Pete" Knight in control. The X-15 made the first manned flights to the edges of space and pilots who flew above 50 miles altitude in earned astronaut wings. This is my depiction of the X-15A-2 in flight on November 3, 1965. It was the first f