In 1947; no one knew if it was possible to break the "sound barrier." The Bell X-1 was the tiny; rocket-powered craft that finally broke it. It was the result of innovative designers and engineers turning their attention from the pioneering jets of World War II to a new task--an aircraft designed purely to fly faster than sound. Legendary pilots rallied to the cause; with World War II ace Chuck Yeager piloting the X-1 when it finally achieved supersonic flight in 1947; the first manned craft to reach such speeds. With historical photographs and meticulously researched digital art; Peter Davies traces the whole career of the Bell X-1; from its early development through to the influence it had on military and civilian jets in the second half of the 20th century.
#5793568 in Books Jennifer DeSilva 2015-05-19Original language:English 9.21 x .81 x 6.14l; 1.74 #File Name: 1472418263344 pagesThe Sacralization of Space and Behavior in the Early Modern World Studies and Sources St Andrews Studies in Reformation History
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