X-1

Developed in secrecy, the XS-1 (later redesignated X-1) research aircraft was the first to explore flight beyond the speed of sound (761 mph at sea level). Design basis for the aircraft was a .50-cal. bullet. Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager became the first pilot to exceed Mach 1 when on October 14, 1947, he reached a speed of Mach 1.06 (700 mph) at an altitude of 45,000 ft. News of the flight was not revealed until nearly two months later. The aircraft was carried aloft by a B-29 "mother ship," and the rocket motor was started after the aircraft was released. First glide flight was made on January 25, 1946, at Pinecastle AB, Fla., by company pilot Jack Woolams. (The noted first flight was the first powered flight.) Eight USAF, seven NACA, and three company pilots made 157 flights in the type through 1951. The number one aircraft is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D. C. The second aircraft was later modified to X-1E configuration and is on display at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, Calif. The third aircraft was destroyed on the ground prior to its second flight. Three other aircraft (X-1A, B, and D) were later built to investigate speeds greater than Mach 2 at high altitudes. X-1A reached Mach 2.44 (1,650 mph) in 1953. X-1s were flown for a total of 105 flights. Totals for other aircraft include: X-1A (25), X-1B (27), X-1D (1), and X-1E (26). The last flights came in 1958. The X-1A and D were destroyed in accidents; the X-1B is on display at the US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Contractors:	Bell Aircraft Corp.
Locations Built:	Buffalo, N. Y.
Number Built: (USAF)	Three (three)
First Flight:	December 9, 1946
First Flight Model:	XS-1
First Flight Location:	Muroc AAF, Calif.
First Flight Pilot:	Chalmers "Slick" Goodlin
Models/Variants:	X-1, X-1A, B, D, E
Powerplant:	One Reaction Motors XLR11-RM-3 liquid fuel, four-chamber rocket rated at 6,000 lb static thrust
Wingspan:	30 ft 11 in.
Length:	28 ft 0 in.
Height:	10 ft 10 in.
Weight:	12,250 lb gross
Armament:	None
Accommodation:	Pilot only
Cost:	$4.28 million for total program (three aircraft and development)
Max. Speed:	927 mph (Mach 1.43)
Range:	Endurance: 5 min powered flight
Ceiling:	70,000 ft.