High Gallery
U. S. Military Aircraft
Bell Aircraft
X-1
 |
| Seen above is the second of three initial XS-1 (later X-1) prototypes. This is the aircraft in which (then Captain) Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier on 14 October 1947. This was the first time that Mach 1 had officially been exceeded in controlled flight, although others claim to have preceded this date. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Bell | Length: 31 ft |
| First Flight: | Height: 10 ft |
| Enter Service: | Wing Span: 28 ft |
| Model: | Wing Area: 130 ft |
| Crew: 1 | Empty Weight: 7,000 lb |
| Nickname: | Max. Weight: 12,250 lb |
| Basic Role: Experimental Aircraft | Armament: |
| Other Versions: X-1A |
Propulsion |
| Principal User: U. S. Air Force |
Power Plant: Reaction Motors XLR-11-RM3 liquid fuel rocket |
|
Performance |
Horsepower: 6,000 lbf (1,500 lbf per chamber) |
| Range: 4 minutes 45 seconds (powered endurance) | No. Of Engines: 1 |
| Max. Speed: 1,450 mph |
Drawing |
| Ceiling: 90,000+ ft |
 |
| Climb Rate: | Photo Unknown |