Topping Models North American X-15 Desk Model 66670 USAF Contractor Piece For Sale

Offered is a vintage Topping Models contractor/promotional desk model of the North American X-15, tail number 66670 (X-15-1) — the very airframe now on permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This example is finished in U.S. Air Force livery: \"U.S. AIR FORCE\" along the fuselage, \"USAF\" and star-and-bar roundels on the wings, and the tail number 66670 on the vertical stabilizer.

Topping Models produced these desk models in the late 1950s and early 1960s under contract for North American Aviation, distributing them to aerospace contractors, Air Force personnel, and for promotional and educational use. This piece comes from a private collection assembled over decades by a distinguished NASA test pilot, and represents genuine aerospace-industry history rather than a later reproduction or hobbyist kit.

Details:

• Length: 15\" | Wingspan: 7\" (approximately 1/32 scale)
• Mounted on the original Topping acrylic display base, engraved \"North American Aviation, Inc.\" with the company logo and \"X-15\" nameplate
• Solid-carved black-finish fuselage with USAF markings and tail number 66670
• Solid construction consistent with authentic Topping contractor models of this era

Condition:
Overall excellent condition consistent with its age. One star-and-bar roundel decal on the underside of the right wing shows visible wear (see photo) — otherwise the model presents very well, with strong paint and decal integrity elsewhere and a clear, undamaged acrylic base. Please review photos closely, as they\'re part of the item description.

Why This Model Matters:
The X-15 remains the fastest crewed aircraft ever flown, reaching Mach 6.7 and an altitude of 354,200 feet, in a joint USAF/NASA/North American Aviation research program. Twelve pilots flew the program, including Neil Armstrong. This specific airframe, 66670, made the very first X-15 flight and is now a centerpiece of the National Air and Space Museum\'s collection — a detail that adds real historical weight to this piece.