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<!--BEGIN SPECIFICATIONS--> X-1 Specifications Primary Function: Experimental Aircraft Contractor: Bell Crew: One Unit Cost: N/A Powerplant Reaction Motors, Inc., XLR-11-RM-3 (model A6000C4) 4-chamber rocket engine, rated at 6,000 lb static thrust each Dimensions Length: 30.9 feet Wingspan: 28 feet Height: 10.85 feet Weights Empty: 7,000 lb Maximum Takeoff: N/A Performance Speed: mach 1.45 (957mph) Ceiling: 71,900 feet Range: N/A Armament N/A <!--END SPECIFICATIONS--> <!--BEGIN ACHIEVEMENTS--> X-1 Achievements The X-1 was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight. <!--END ACHIEVEMENTS--> <!--BEGIN FEATURES--> <!-- X-1 Features --> <!--END FEATURES--> <!--BEGIN BACKGROUND--> X-1 Background The Bell X-1 was the first aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound, something said to be impossible at the time. Three X-1 aircraft were built, X-1-1, X-1-2, and X-1-3. X-1-1 was powered by an XLR-11 rocket engine and was launched from a B-29A mothership. Its first powered flight occurred on April 11, 1946 with Chalmers Goodlin at the controls. On October 14, 1947, USAF Captain Charles "Chuck" Yeager flew the X-1-1 through the sound barrier and into the history books. He hit a top speed of Mach 1.06 (700mph) and an altitude of 43,000 feet. The X-1-1 hit a maximum speed of Mach 1.45 throughout its life and a top altitude of 71,902 feet. X-1-2 would later become retired to be rebuilt as the X-1E, and the X-1-3 saw its last days when it blew up under its launch plane, a B-50, during ground static operations at Edwards AFB, California. The X-1A pushed the records a bit further, as it hit 90,440 feet on August 26, 1954. The X-1A would later explode in the desert after an explosion before launch left its landing gear crippled. Its pilot and the B-29 crew returned to base alive. After the X-1-2 converted to the new X-1E variant, it could fly almost twice as fast as the original X-1-2. The X-1E was powered by a Reaction Motors, Inc. LR-8-RM-5 four chambered rocket engine.Summary Copyright © Charles M (JetWhiz) <!--END BACKGROUND-->
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