Detail view of the cockpit of the Bell X-1 "Glamorous Glennis" rocket plane, first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound in 1947


On October 14, 1947, the Bell X-1 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. Piloted by Air Force Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, the X-1 reached a speed of 1,127 kilometers (700 miles) per hour, Mach , at an altitude of 13,000 meters (43,000 feet). Yeager named the airplane "Glamorous Glennis" in tribute to his wife.


Size: 7348px × 4194px
Photo credit: © JSM Historical / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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