SUPERSONIC FLIGHT: Breaking the Sound Barrier and Beyond - The Story of the Bell X-1 and Douglas D-558

In 1947, a remarkable group of individuals achieved what many thought was impossible: breaking the ‘sound barrier’. Because of their work, supersonic flight became a reality. Today, the military aircrews who routinely fly near and beyond the speed of sound and the passengers who relax in luxurious comfort as their jumbo jetliners speed them to their destinations fly in the wake of these courageous pioneers, some of whom gave their lives so that high-speed flight might be born. Supersonic Flight is the story of the most important revolution in aviation history between the Wright Brothers’ first flight and the first voyage into outer space. Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Chuck Yeager's first supersonic flight, this edition includes a new introduction and new photographs. The book is a history of the struggle to break the sound barrier. Starting with an introduction co-written by astronaut Michael Collins and a prologue relating the fatal attempt by Britain's Geoffrey de Havilland to break the sound barrier in 1946, the book describes: the basic problems of supersonic flight; the story of the Bell X-1 in which "Chuck" Yeager successfully broke the sound barrier in 1947; and the Douglas D-558, the first aircraft to reach twice the speed of sound. Dr Hallion has updated what has come to be regarded as a classic history of the first supersonic flight using primary research materials and interviews with many of the key participants. Extensively illustrated with rare photographs, it is a dramatic and authoritative account of how aviation moved from the era of the propeller-driven aeroplane into the era of the high-performance jet.