Overview
On 14 October 1947, US Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager flew the rocket-powered X-1 "Glamorous Glennis" faster than the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1.06 high over the California desert. Many engineers had feared that aircraft would be shaken apart near Mach 1.
The X-1 was carried aloft under a B-29 bomber and dropped before lighting its rocket. Its fuselage was shaped like a .50-calibre bullet, which was known to be stable at supersonic speeds.
Specifications
Dimensions
| Length | 9.40 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 8.50 m |
| Height | 3.30 m |
| Wing area | 12.0 m² |
Weights & fuel
| Empty weight | 3,175 kg |
|---|---|
| Max. take-off weight | 5,557 kg |
Performance
| Max. speed | 1,541 km/h |
|---|---|
| Max. Mach | Mach 1.45 |
| Service ceiling | 21,900 m |
Crew & capacity
| Crew | 1 |
|---|
Powerplant
| Engines | 1 |
|---|---|
| Engine model | Reaction Motors XLR11-RM3 four-chamber rocket |
| Thrust (each) | 26.7 kN |
Figures are compiled from public sources and may be approximate; they can vary by variant and configuration.
Did you know?
Yeager flew the record flight with two broken ribs from a horse-riding accident, using a broom handle to close the cockpit door.
Photos
Photo 1: NASA / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Some text and images come from Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA licences.
