Bell X-1 Engine Black Betsy

Bell X-1 Engines

The Bell X-1 used a 6,000-pound-thrust, liquid-propellant rocket engine from Reaction Motors, Inc. also known as Black Betsy. On October 14, 1947, flying the Bell X-1, Capt. Charles 'Chuck’ Yeager, USAF, became the first pilot to fly faster than sound.

  • Created: 2015

  • NASM 2015-07303

  • Copyright/Owner: Smithsonian Institution
  • Source: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
  • Photographer: Eric Long
  • Contact Copyright Holder/Owner
  • For print or commercial use please see our permissions page.
X

Related content