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Real X-15 vs Flight Simulator Model

Each X-15 for Flight Simulator add-on aircraft is highly detailed and has been carefully modeled based on available drawings, flight manuals, photographs, movies and other archive material in order to conform as closely as possible to the real-world X-15. In some cases, the virtual aircraft looks so realistic that some screenshots look like photographs of the real airplane.

(NASA photo) 		(FS2004 screenshot) Front view of the X-15-3 in 1962. The simulator model features reflective textures, unique markings, movable control surfaces, adjustable speed brakes, extendable landing skids and front gear, and a movable canopy.

(NASA photo)
(FSX screenshot) 		X-15-1 main instrument panel (for the XLR-11 engines). The virtual panel is fully functional and features 240 custom gauges and systems to simulate almost every step and procedure required in a typical X-15 mission.

(NASA photo)
(FSX screenshot) 		X-15-3 main panel. Like the real aircraft, the model has a revised light blue-gray panel that replaced the original black panel in the summer of 1963. The new panel contrasted better with the gauges, light indicators and flight instruments.

(NASA photo)
(FSX screenshot) 		The X-15-1 (rollout version) sporting the NACA "vane-type" boom nose. The boom nose was used in the interim configuration to collect data for the aircraft's flight instruments.

(NASA photo)
(FS2004 screenshot) 		Rear view of X-15-1, in her limited-mission configuration, showing the twin XLR-11 four-chambered rocket engines. The X-15-1 add-on package is available with both the interim XLR-11 engines and the mighty XLR-99 engine.

(NASA photo)
(FS2004 screenshot) 		X-15-2 in flight. Note the frost on the fuselage, around the liquid oxygen tank, and the APU exhaust effect. Over 20 special visual effects have been developed for the X-15 for Flight Simulator series.

(NASA photo)
(FSX screenshot) 		X-15-3 at Edwards Air Force Base. The X-15-2/3 for Flight Simulator manual contains instructions and procedures to recreate Neil Armstrong's historical flight number 3-1-2 (first X-15-3 flight, from Silver Dry Lake to Rogers Dry Lake, on December 20, 1961).

(NASA photo)
(FS2004 screenshot) 		X-15A-2 (rollout version). The "advanced" version of the X-15 was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base in February 1964. The two large aluminum propellant tanks, which allow longer engine burn times to attain higher velocities, can be "jettisoned" and re-used.

(NASA photo)
(FS2004 screenshot) 		Spectacular view of the X-15A-2 preparing for launch in the summer of 1966. The propellant tanks show different paint schemes, like in the real world. Note the second stage igniter effect inside the rocket engine nozzle and the engine prime effects at the rear of the aircraft.

(NASA photo)
(FS2004 screenshot) 		Closed eyelid on the left canopy window of the X-15A-2 with full ablative coating. While being burned away, the ablator left a sooty residue on the airplane that would cloud the windshield. This was solved by installing an "eyelid" over the window.

(NASA photo)
(FS2004 screenshot) 		X-15A-2 with full white ablative coating. To handle the heat generated by high-speed flights, the aircraft was coated with a spray-on ablative thermal-protection pink material, sealed with a white protective wear layer.