Discover The First Supersonic Plane Ever Built

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Pioneering the frontiers of aviation science, the X-1 was a research aircraft built by Bell Aircraft Company.

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While scientific curiosity undoubtedly played a role, the strategic advantage of supersonic fighters and bombers was a primary motivation.

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According to NASA, the Bell X-1, together with its variants, flew 214 supersonic flights in total.

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The followup Bell X-2 “Starbuster” reached Mach 3.2 on September 7, 1956 with USAF Milburn Apt at the controls.

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The X-2 went into the same stall Yeager had in the X-1A after passing Mach 2. However, Apt couldn’t pull out of the spin and was killed when the X-2 smashed into the ground after plunging 126,200 feet.

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International orange is a “safety color” with worldwide recognition. The color is intended to increase the visibility of an object in multiple lighting and weather conditions.

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The Golden Gate Bridge and several other bridges and tall buildings feature international orange color variants. This is to help prevent collisions with aircraft or, in the case of bridges, ships.

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Discover The First Supersonic Plane Ever Built

Pioneering the frontiers of aviation science, the X-1 was a research aircraft built by Bell Aircraft Company.

While scientific curiosity undoubtedly played a role, the strategic advantage of supersonic fighters and bombers was a primary motivation.

Why was America interested in supersonic flight?

According to NASA, the Bell X-1, together with its variants, flew 214 supersonic flights in total.

How many powered supersonic flights did the Bell X-1 take?

The followup Bell X-2 “Starbuster” reached Mach 3.2 on September 7, 1956 with USAF Milburn Apt at the controls.

Since the X-1 failed to reach Mach 3, what was the first aircraft to do so?

The X-2 went into the same stall Yeager had in the X-1A after passing Mach 2. However, Apt couldn’t pull out of the spin and was killed when the X-2 smashed into the ground after plunging 126,200 feet.

International orange is a “safety color” with worldwide recognition. The color is intended to increase the visibility of an object in multiple lighting and weather conditions.

Why was the Bell X-1 painted “international orange?”

The Golden Gate Bridge and several other bridges and tall buildings feature international orange color variants. This is to help prevent collisions with aircraft or, in the case of bridges, ships.

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