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). Yeager named the airplane "Glamorous Glennis" in tribute to his wife. Highlighted in this image is the nose of the Bell X-1. Created by Eric Long Date Created 08/12/2015 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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