Flight of the Lockheed X-7, ca.1960

Photograph of flight of the Lockheed X-7, ca.1960. At center, a large lightly-colored aircraft can be seen moving from the left of the image to the right. The body of the rocket is completely cylindrical, except for the slender pointed beak at the front. The wings located near the tail of the craft are very wide and short in appearance. On the left wing, a small emblem in the shape of a star is visible. Attached to the underside of the rocket beneath the tail, a large darkly-colored cylinder can be seen. Flame and smoke are emitted from the left end of the large cylinder. In the extreme background below the rocket, water and landmass can be seen. A description on the back of the photoprint reads: "June 20. Controlled from the ground, flashes through the stratosphere at supersonic speeds to test vamjet(?) engines for U.S. Air Force. Built at Lockheed's Van Nuys Plant, flies over test range at Holloman Air Development Center, Alamogordo, New Mexico".