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:

November 02, 2015

Photographer:

Eric Long

ID#:

A19510007000_NASM2015-07218

Source:

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM Original Photography, NASM Acc. 2012-0026.

Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

CC0 (Open Access)

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

For print or commercial use please see permissions information.

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