On October 14, 1947, the Bell X-1 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. Piloted by U.S. Air Force Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, the X-1 reached a speed of 1,127 kilometers (700 miles) per hour, Mach 1.06, at an altitude of 13,000 meters (43,000 feet). Highlighted in this image is the cockpit of the Bell X-1. Created by Eric Long Date Created 10/19/2015 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM Original Photography, NASM Acc. 2012-0026. Keywords Aircraft; Aviation; Aviators; Engineers; Experimental; People; Records & Firsts; Research Rights and Restrictions CC0
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