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{{Short description|Steam-powered rocket owned and used by Evel Knievel}}
{{Short description|Steam-powered rocket owned and used by Evel Knievel}}
{{Infobox aircraft
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name=Skycycle X-2
|name = Skycycle X-2
  |image=X-2 Skycycle.jpg
|image = X-2 Skycycle.jpg
  |image_size =  
|image_size =
  |caption= [[Evel Knievel|Evel Knievel's]] ''X-2-2'' Skycycle on display<br/>at the [[Harley-Davidson Museum]] in 2010|alt=Rocket with front end tilted upwards and a flight suit in front of it  
|caption = [[Evel Knievel]]'s ''X-2-2'' Skycycle on display<br/>at the [[Harley-Davidson Museum]] in 2010|alt=Rocket with front end tilted upwards and a flight suit in front of it
  |type= Stunt aircraft
|type = Stunt aircraft
  |manufacturer= [[Robert Truax]]
|manufacturer = [[Robert Truax]]
  |designer= [[Douglas Malewicki]]
|designer = [[Douglas Malewicki]]
  |first_flight= August 25, 1974
|first_flight = August 25, 1974
  |retired = September 8, 1974
|retired = September 8, 1974
  |primary_user= [[Evel Knievel]]  
|primary_user = [[Evel Knievel]]
  |more_users=
|more_users =
  |produced= 1974
|produced = 1974
  |number_built= 3
|number_built = 3
  |unit cost=
|unit cost =
  |developed_from=
|developed_from =
  |variants=
|variants =
}}
}}
The '''Skycycle X-2''' was a [[steam rocket|steam-powered rocket]] owned by [[Evel Knievel]] and flown during his [[Snake River Canyon (Idaho)|Snake River Canyon]] jump in [[Idaho]] in 1974.
The '''Skycycle X-2''' was a [[Steam rocket|steam-powered rocket]] owned by [[Evel Knievel]] and flown during his [[Snake River Canyon (Idaho)|Snake River Canyon]] jump in [[Idaho]] in 1974.


An earlier prototype was designed, named the Skycycle X-1, by [[Douglas Malewicki|Doug Malewicki]] and retired [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] engineer [[Robert Truax]]. It was tested in November 1973 and dove in the Snake River.<ref name=hjtacon>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1973/11/19/629820/highjumping-to-a-conclusion |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Levin |first=Dan |title=High-jumping to a conclusion |date=November 19, 1973 |page=40 }}</ref>
An earlier prototype was designed, named the Skycycle X-1, by [[Douglas Malewicki|Doug Malewicki]] and retired [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] engineer [[Robert Truax]]. It was tested in November 1973 and dove in the Snake River.<ref name=hjtacon>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1973/11/19/629820/highjumping-to-a-conclusion |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |title=High-jumping to a conclusion |last=Levin |first=Dan |date=November 19, 1973 |page=40}}</ref>


The Skycycle X-2 was designed by Truax,<ref name=miobkit>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1974/09/02/643157/make-it-or-break-it|magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Jones |first=Robert F. |title=Make it or break it|date=September 2, 1974 |page=52 }}</ref> and ridden by Knievel in his attempt to jump the [[Snake River]] approximately {{convert|1|mi|km}} west of [[Shoshone Falls]] near the city of [[Twin Falls, Idaho]], on September 8, 1974.<ref name=spjfls>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wB5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3418%2C3797490 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=(New York Times) |title=Jump fails, but Knievel uninjured |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=wsromt>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1974/09/16/618892/we-shoulda-run-one-more-test |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Jones |first=Robert F. |title='We shoulda run one more test'|date=September 16, 1974 |page=26 }}</ref><ref name=ekliceid >{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cTRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4ucDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6609%2C2290457 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |last=Sellard |first=Dan |title=Evel Knievel's leap at canyon ends in draw |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1B}}</ref><ref name=dnwpch>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X7tSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CH4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5008%2C1925031 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Miller |first=Hack |title=Evel puzzle: what popped chute? |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1C }}</ref><ref name=shjefim>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D_wjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=62YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5210%2C3921219 |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |location=Florida |agency=Associated Press |title=Evel fails in mission...but survives |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1C }}</ref><ref name=twflmkann>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TIpGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mfIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6570%2C925568 |newspaper=Lewiston Sun Journal |location=Maine |agency=Associated Press |title=Twin Falls marks Knievel anniversary |date=September 10, 1984 |page=17 }}</ref> The parachute deployed during the launch, causing the stunt to fail.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19980502223148/http://www.canosoarus.com/10X1Skycycle/Skycycle01.htm Evel Knievel's X-1 Skycycle, rocket powered CANYON JUMPING motorcycle!<!-- Bot generated title -->]}}</ref>
The Skycycle X-2 was designed by Truax<ref name=miobkit>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1974/09/02/643157/make-it-or-break-it |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |last=Jones |first=Robert |title=Make it or break it |date=September 2, 1974 |page=52}}</ref> and ridden by Knievel in his attempt to jump the [[Snake River]] approximately {{convert|1|mi|km}} west of [[Shoshone Falls]] near the city of [[Twin Falls, Idaho]], on September 8, 1974.<ref name=spjfls>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wB5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3418%2C3797490 |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=(New York Times) |title=Jump fails, but Knievel uninjured |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=wsromt>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1974/09/16/618892/we-shoulda-run-one-more-test |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |last=Jones |first=Robert |title='We shoulda run one more test' |date=September 16, 1974 |page=26}}</ref><ref name=ekliceid>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cTRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4ucDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6609%2C2290457 |newspaper=[[The Register-Guard]] |location=Oregon |last=Sellard |first=Dan |title=Evel Knievel's leap at canyon ends in draw |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1B}}</ref><ref name=dnwpch>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X7tSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CH4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5008%2C1925031 |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Miller |first=Hack |title=Evel puzzle: what popped chute? |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1C}}</ref><ref name=shjefim>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D_wjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=62YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5210%2C3921219 |newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] |location=Florida |agency=Associated Press |title=Evel fails in mission...but survives |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1C}}</ref><ref name=twflmkann>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TIpGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mfIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6570%2C925568 |newspaper=[[Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)|Sun Journal]] |location=Maine |agency=Associated Press |title=Twin Falls marks Knievel anniversary |date=September 10, 1984 |page=17}}</ref>


A later analysis showed that a design flaw in a mechanical parachute retention cover that did not properly take base drag into account caused the premature parachute deployment. Following the failed jump, Truax and Knievel blamed each other for the failure. Later, Truax accepted full responsibility for the failure.<ref name=msent>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_EjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2947%2C1535924 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Knievel rescued after failure |date=September 9, 1974|page=1, part 1}}</ref><ref name=mfblmd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5jlYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5214%2C3354445 |newspaper=The Bulletin |location=Bend, Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Metal fatigue blamed |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1 }}</ref>
A later analysis showed that a design flaw in a mechanical parachute retention cover that did not properly take base drag into account caused the premature parachute deployment. Following the failed jump, Truax and Knievel blamed each other for the failure. Later, Truax accepted full responsibility for the failure.<ref name=msent>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_EjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2947%2C1535924 |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Sentinel]] |agency=Associated Press |title=Knievel rescued after failure |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1, part 1}}</ref><ref name=mfblmd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5jlYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5214%2C3354445 |newspaper=[[The Bulletin (Bend)|The Bulletin]] |location=Bend, Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Metal fatigue blamed |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1}}</ref>


==The jump==
==The jump==
Although the parachute deployed early, the aerial photographs show the X-2 cleared the canyon. However, the winds blew the rocket back to the launch side, crashing at the bottom of the canyon, barely missing the river. Knievel stated that if the X-2 had landed in the water, he would have drowned, as he did not have the ability to release himself from the harness.<ref name="Stuart Barker 2008">Stuart Barker, Life of Evel Knievel, St. Martin's Press, 2008.</ref>
Although the parachute deployed early, the aerial photographs show the X-2 cleared the canyon. However, the winds blew the rocket back to the launch side, crashing at the bottom of the canyon, barely missing the river. Knievel stated that if the X-2 had landed in the water, he would have drowned, as he did not have the ability to release himself from the harness.<ref name="Stuart Barker 2008">Stuart Barker, Life of Evel Knievel, St. Martin's Press, 2008. {{ISBN|9780312547356}}.</ref>


In order to obtain permission from the State of Idaho to perform the canyon jump, the X-2 was registered as an airplane rather than a motorcycle.<ref name="Stuart Barker 2008"/>
In order to obtain permission from the State of Idaho to perform the canyon jump, the X-2 was registered as an airplane rather than a motorcycle.<ref name="Stuart Barker 2008"/>


Three Skycycle X-2s were built for Knievel.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211210/-toCdPlXd6I Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140915235143/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-toCdPlXd6I Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-toCdPlXd6I| title = Snake River Canyon jump 1973-EVEL KNIEVEL Awesome video!! | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story, History Channel 2005</ref> The first two were used for test flights.<ref name=evkclptday>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vx5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7320%2C3429100 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Evel Knievel canyon leap today |date=September 8, 1974 |page=16}}</ref> Unable to fund further tests, Knievel used the third for the canyon jump. In 2007, the Skycycle X-2-1 was offered for sale for $5 million.<ref>[http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/01/29/evel-knievel-skycycle-snake-river-rocket-for-sale/ Evel Knievel Skycycle Snake River Rocket For Sale<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The X-2-2 is owned by the Knievel estate and periodically exhibited along with a museum of Knievel artifacts.
Three Skycycle X-2s were built for Knievel.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211210/-toCdPlXd6I Ghost Archive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140915235143/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-toCdPlXd6I Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-toCdPlXd6I |title=Snake River Canyon jump 1973-EVEL KNIEVEL Awesome video!! |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story, History Channel 2005</ref> The first two were used for test flights.<ref name=evkclptday>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vx5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7320%2C3429100 |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Evel Knievel canyon leap today |date=September 8, 1974 |page=16}}</ref> Unable to fund further tests, Knievel used the third for the canyon jump. In 2007, the Skycycle X-2-1 was offered for sale for $5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/01/29/evel-knievel-skycycle-snake-river-rocket-for-sale/ |title=Evel Knievel Skycycle Snake River Rocket For Sale |website=The Kneeslider |last=Crowe |first=Paul |date=January 29, 2007 |access-date=June 26, 2025}}</ref> The X-2-2 is owned by the Knievel estate and periodically exhibited along with a museum of Knievel artifacts.


In the era before cable networks, the Sunday afternoon jump was covered live by [[Top Rank]] on paid closed-circuit television in several hundred theaters and arenas,<ref name=ihanath>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tD8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QcwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5458%2C5384962 |newspaper=Spartanburg Herald |location=South Carolina |agency=Associated Press |title=Is he an athlete, daredevil, promoter, hoax, or a nut? |date=June 25, 1974 |page=B2 }}</ref><ref name=csebin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vB5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2902%2C1401569 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Congressman says Evel bad influence on kids |date=September 4, 1974 |page=2}}</ref><ref name=ppvsrcj>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1974/09/06/page/40/article/pirates-add-pitcher |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |agency=(advertisement) |title=Snake River Canyon Jump |date=September 6, 1974 |page=2, section 3}}</ref> promoted by [[Bob Arum]] with an average price of ten dollars.<ref name=evkclptday/><ref name=thhftsmel>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6cFaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JFgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6943%2C1600639 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Independent |location=Florida |agency=Miami News |last=Crittenden |first=John |title=Thundering herd hoofing to some Evel |date=September 7, 1974 |page=2C }}</ref><ref name=mjadfj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bB8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ASkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1122%2C2528467 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=(advertisement) |title=Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon Jump |date=September 5, 1974 |page=11, part 2 }}</ref> Taped coverage by [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]] was shown on ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' later in the month.<ref name=nltvfrjump>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wABOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8osDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7074%2C3252211 |newspaper=Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=Associated Press |last=Sharbutt |first=Jay |title=No live TV for Evel Knievel's jump |date=August 29, 1974 |page=23 }}</ref><ref name=cjlgodd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sbsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6534%2C2697033 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Canyon jump launched generation of daredevils |date=September 4, 1999 |page=4B }}</ref> The ticket price at the launch site was twenty-five dollars.<ref name=ekliceid/><ref name=dnwpch/><ref name=shjefim/>
In the era before cable networks, the Sunday afternoon jump was covered live by [[Top Rank]] on paid closed-circuit television in several hundred theaters and arenas,<ref name=ihanath>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tD8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QcwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5458%2C5384962 |newspaper=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal|Spartanburg Herald]] |location=South Carolina |agency=Associated Press |title=Is he an athlete, daredevil, promoter, hoax, or a nut? |date=June 25, 1974 |page=B2}}</ref><ref name=csebin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vB5OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2902%2C1401569 |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Congressman says Evel bad influence on kids |date=September 4, 1974 |page=2}}</ref><ref name=ppvsrcj>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1974/09/06/page/40/article/pirates-add-pitcher |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |agency=(advertisement) |title=Snake River Canyon Jump |date=September 6, 1974 |page=2, section 3}}</ref> promoted by [[Bob Arum]] with an average price of ten dollars.<ref name=evkclptday/><ref name=thhftsmel>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6cFaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JFgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6943%2C1600639 |newspaper=[[Evening Independent]] |location=Florida |agency=Miami News |last=Crittenden |first=John |title=Thundering herd hoofing to some Evel |date=September 7, 1974 |page=2C}}</ref><ref name=mjadfj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bB8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ASkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1122%2C2528467 |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Journal]] |agency=(advertisement) |title=Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon Jump |date=September 5, 1974 |page=11, part 2}}</ref> Taped coverage by [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]] was shown on ''[[Wide World of Sports (American TV program)|Wide World of Sports]]'' later in the month.<ref name=nltvfrjump>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wABOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8osDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7074%2C3252211 |newspaper=[[The Free Lance–Star]] |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=Associated Press |last=Sharbutt |first=Jay |title=No live TV for Evel Knievel's jump |date=August 29, 1974 |page=23}}</ref><ref name=cjlgodd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sbsjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6534%2C2697033 |newspaper=[[Moscow-Pullman Daily News]] |location=Idaho–Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Canyon jump launched generation of daredevils |last=Gallagher |first=Dan |date=September 4, 1999 |page=4B}}</ref> The ticket price at the launch site was twenty-five dollars.<ref name=ekliceid/><ref name=dnwpch/><ref name=shjefim/>


The jump was pushed out of the newspaper headlines by the [[pardon of Richard Nixon]] by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Gerald Ford]].<ref name=fpnxn>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1974/09/09/page/1/article/pardon-for-nixon |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |title=Pardon for Nixon |last=Squires |first=Jim |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1, section 1}}</ref><ref name=msfpnx>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_EjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6370%2C1536194 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=wire services |title=Ford pardons Nixon |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1, part 1}}</ref>
The jump was pushed out of the newspaper headlines by the [[pardon of Richard Nixon]] by [[President of the United States|President]] [[Gerald Ford]].<ref name=fpnxn>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1974/09/09/page/1/article/pardon-for-nixon |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |title=Pardon for Nixon |last=Squires |first=Jim |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1, section 1}}</ref><ref name=msfpnx>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_EjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6370%2C1536194 |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Sentinel]] |agency=(wire services) |title=Ford pardons Nixon |date=September 9, 1974 |page=1, part 1}}</ref>


==Monument==
==Monument==
[[File:Evel_Knievel_monument_in_Twin_Falls.jpg|thumb|right|Monument near the Perrine Bridge]]
[[File:Evel_Knievel_monument_in_Twin_Falls.jpg|thumb|right|Monument near the [[Perrine Bridge]]]]
A memorial to Knievel is located near the [[Perrine Bridge]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2961 |title=Evel Knievel's Snake River Jump Monument |website=roadsideamerica.com |accessdate=August 12, 2017}}</ref> which crosses the Snake River about {{convert|1.6|mi|km}} west of the jump site. The monument was dedicated in September 1985, at a small ceremony attended by Knievel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13051846/no_crowds_attracted_by_dedication_of/ |title=No crowds attracted by dedication of monument to Snake River jump |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |newspaper=[[Great Falls Tribune]] |location=[[Great Falls, Montana]] |date=September 10, 1985 |accessdate=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
A memorial to Knievel is located near the [[Perrine Bridge]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2961 |title=Evel Knievel's Snake River Jump Monument |website=Roadside America |accessdate=August 12, 2017}}</ref> which crosses the Snake River about {{convert|1.6|mi|km}} west of the jump site. The monument was dedicated in September 1985 at a small ceremony attended by Knievel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13051846/no_crowds_attracted_by_dedication_of/ |title=No crowds attracted by dedication of monument to Snake River jump |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |newspaper=[[Great Falls Tribune]] |location=[[Great Falls, Montana]] |date=September 10, 1985 |accessdate=August 12, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>


==Re-creation of the jump==
==Recreation of the jump==
Since the 1974 launch, seven daredevils have expressed interest in recreating the jump, including Knievel's two sons [[Robbie Knievel|Robbie]] and Kelly. Robbie announced he would recreate the jump in 2010, but the project went no further upon his death.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/robbie-knievel-hopes-to-jump-snake-river-canyon/article_5f7e1584-5b6a-11df-a687-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Robbie Knievel hopes to jump Snake River Canyon |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |newspaper=[[Billings Gazette]] |date=May 9, 2010}}</ref> Stuntman Eddie Braun worked with Kelly Knievel (son of Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel) and Scott Truax (son of Robert Truax) to recreate the jump using a replica of the Skycycle X-2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Joey |title=40 Years Later And Gearing Up For Another Jump |url=http://www.kmvt.com/news/latest/40-Years-Later-And-Gearing-Up-For-Another-Jump-274406531.html |work=KMVT.com |date=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911060654/http://www.kmvt.com/news/latest/40-Years-Later-And-Gearing-Up-For-Another-Jump-274406531.html |archive-date=September 11, 2014}}</ref> Braun successfully flew his rocket, named Evel Spirit, across the Snake River Canyon on September 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-snake-river-canyon-jump-20160916-snap-story.html |title=Eddie Braun does what Evel Knievel could not: make successful jump over Snake River Canyon |first=Dan |last=Loumena |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 16, 2016}}</ref>
Since the 1974 launch, seven daredevils have expressed interest in recreating the jump, including Knievel's two sons [[Robbie Knievel|Robbie]] and Kelly. Robbie announced he would recreate the jump in 2010, but the project went no further upon his death.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/robbie-knievel-hopes-to-jump-snake-river-canyon/article_5f7e1584-5b6a-11df-a687-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Robbie Knievel hopes to jump Snake River Canyon |agency=[[Associated Press|AP]] |newspaper=[[Billings Gazette]] |date=May 9, 2010}}</ref> Stuntman Eddie Braun worked with Kelly Knievel (son of Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel) and Scott Truax (son of Robert Truax) to recreate the jump using a replica of the Skycycle X-2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Joey |title=40 Years Later And Gearing Up For Another Jump |url=http://www.kmvt.com/news/latest/40-Years-Later-And-Gearing-Up-For-Another-Jump-274406531.html |work=[[KMVT]] |date=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911060654/http://www.kmvt.com/news/latest/40-Years-Later-And-Gearing-Up-For-Another-Jump-274406531.html |archive-date=September 11, 2014}}</ref> Braun successfully flew his rocket, named Evel Spirit, across the Snake River Canyon on September 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-snake-river-canyon-jump-20160916-snap-story.html |title=Eddie Braun does what Evel Knievel could not: make successful jump over Snake River Canyon |first=Dan |last=Loumena |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 16, 2016}}</ref>


==Audi commercial==
==Audi commercial==
On July 18, 2012, [[Audi|Audi of America]] recreated Knievel's Snake River jump in a promotional commercial for the [[Audi A5#Audi RS5|Audi RS5]]. The commercial depicts the RS5 being driven by a professional driver and jumping the canyon off a jump ramp.<ref>Harbor, Phillip, "Audi Tries to Jump Snake River Canyon in Evel Knievel Tribute", CarBuzz, September 12, 2012</ref>
On July 18, 2012, [[Audi|Audi of America]] recreated Knievel's Snake River jump in a promotional commercial for the [[Audi A5#Audi RS5|Audi RS5]]. The commercial depicts the RS5 being driven by a professional driver and jumping the canyon off a jump ramp.<ref>Harbor, Phillip, "Audi Tries to Jump Snake River Canyon in Evel Knievel Tribute", CarBuzz, September 12, 2012</ref>
{{Quote
{{Quote
  |text = "Each time I was hurt, they all said, ‘that guy is lucky that he’s not dead.' And they were right. But I wanted to get up and try it again."
  |text = "Each time I was hurt, they all said, 'that guy is lucky that he's not dead.' And they were right. But I wanted to get up and try it again."
  |author = Evel Knievel
  |author = Evel Knievel
  |source = 2012 Audi commercial<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kucTKvJFde0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516105345/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kucTKvJFde0&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=2020-05-16 |url-status=dead|title=Audi: 'Return to Snake River Canyon' |publisher=AudideMexico |date=September 24, 2012 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
  |source = 2012 Audi commercial<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kucTKvJFde0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516105345/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kucTKvJFde0&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |url-status=dead |title=Audi: 'Return to Snake River Canyon' |publisher=AudideMexico |date=September 24, 2012 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
}}
}}


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*[[Fly Hard Trikes SkyCycle]]
*[[Fly Hard Trikes SkyCycle]]
*[[Lookout Mountain SkyCycle]]
*[[Lookout Mountain SkyCycle]]
*[[Piper PA-8 Skycycle]]
*[[Piper PA-8|Piper PA-8 Skycycle]]
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
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==Video==
==Video==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvLNP5GvBWE Audi - Return to Snake River Canyon commercial]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvLNP5GvBWE Audi - Return to Snake River Canyon commercial]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-toCdPlXd6I You Tube] – Skycycle test and jump
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-toCdPlXd6I YouTube] – Skycycle test and jump
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p1khN1xyBw You Tube] – Skycycle X-2 jump
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p1khN1xyBw YouTube] – Skycycle X-2 jump
*[http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/evel-knievels-famous-snake-river-canyon-jump/27151 Smithsonian Channel] – modern-day video of jump area
*[http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/evel-knievels-famous-snake-river-canyon-jump/27151 Smithsonian Channel] – modern-day video of jump area


Line 80: Line 80:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19980502224441/http://www.canosoarus.com/10X1Skycycle/Skycycle02.htm Canosoarus.com]}} – Skycycle X-1
*[http://magicvalley.com/app/projects/evel/main.html MagicValley.com] – A leap into history
*[http://magicvalley.com/app/projects/evel/main.html Magic Valley.com] – A leap into history
*[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Evel+Knievel+Snake+River+Canyon+Jump+Site/ Evel Knievel Snake River Canyon Jump Site] – on [[Google Maps]]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Evel+Knievel+Snake+River+Canyon+Jump+Site/ Evel Knievel Snake River Canyon Jump Site] – on [[Google Maps]]


[[Category:Rockets and missiles]]
[[Category:Rockets and missiles]]

Latest revision as of 11:36, 28 June 2025

Template:Short description Template:Infobox aircraft The Skycycle X-2 was a steam-powered rocket owned by Evel Knievel and flown during his Snake River Canyon jump in Idaho in 1974.

An earlier prototype was designed, named the Skycycle X-1, by Doug Malewicki and retired U.S. Navy engineer Robert Truax. It was tested in November 1973 and dove in the Snake River.[1]

The Skycycle X-2 was designed by Truax[2] and ridden by Knievel in his attempt to jump the Snake River approximately Template:Convert west of Shoshone Falls near the city of Twin Falls, Idaho, on September 8, 1974.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

A later analysis showed that a design flaw in a mechanical parachute retention cover that did not properly take base drag into account caused the premature parachute deployment. Following the failed jump, Truax and Knievel blamed each other for the failure. Later, Truax accepted full responsibility for the failure.[9][10]

The jump

Although the parachute deployed early, the aerial photographs show the X-2 cleared the canyon. However, the winds blew the rocket back to the launch side, crashing at the bottom of the canyon, barely missing the river. Knievel stated that if the X-2 had landed in the water, he would have drowned, as he did not have the ability to release himself from the harness.[11]

In order to obtain permission from the State of Idaho to perform the canyon jump, the X-2 was registered as an airplane rather than a motorcycle.[11]

Three Skycycle X-2s were built for Knievel.[12][13] The first two were used for test flights.[14] Unable to fund further tests, Knievel used the third for the canyon jump. In 2007, the Skycycle X-2-1 was offered for sale for $5 million.[15] The X-2-2 is owned by the Knievel estate and periodically exhibited along with a museum of Knievel artifacts.

In the era before cable networks, the Sunday afternoon jump was covered live by Top Rank on paid closed-circuit television in several hundred theaters and arenas,[16][17][18] promoted by Bob Arum with an average price of ten dollars.[14][19][20] Taped coverage by ABC was shown on Wide World of Sports later in the month.[21][22] The ticket price at the launch site was twenty-five dollars.[5][6][7]

The jump was pushed out of the newspaper headlines by the pardon of Richard Nixon by President Gerald Ford.[23][24]

Monument

File:Evel Knievel monument in Twin Falls.jpg
Monument near the Perrine Bridge

A memorial to Knievel is located near the Perrine Bridge,[25] which crosses the Snake River about Template:Convert west of the jump site. The monument was dedicated in September 1985 at a small ceremony attended by Knievel.[26]

Recreation of the jump

Since the 1974 launch, seven daredevils have expressed interest in recreating the jump, including Knievel's two sons Robbie and Kelly. Robbie announced he would recreate the jump in 2010, but the project went no further upon his death.[27] Stuntman Eddie Braun worked with Kelly Knievel (son of Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel) and Scott Truax (son of Robert Truax) to recreate the jump using a replica of the Skycycle X-2.[28] Braun successfully flew his rocket, named Evel Spirit, across the Snake River Canyon on September 16, 2016.[29]

Audi commercial

On July 18, 2012, Audi of America recreated Knievel's Snake River jump in a promotional commercial for the Audi RS5. The commercial depicts the RS5 being driven by a professional driver and jumping the canyon off a jump ramp.[30] Template:Quote

See also

Aircraft with the same name:

Video

References

Template:Reflist

External links

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Stuart Barker, Life of Evel Knievel, St. Martin's Press, 2008. Template:ISBN.
  12. ↑ Archived at Ghost ArchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  13. ↑ Absolute Evel: The Evel Knievel Story, History Channel 2005
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Harbor, Phillip, "Audi Tries to Jump Snake River Canyon in Evel Knievel Tribute", CarBuzz, September 12, 2012
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