Bell X1 / X-1A / X-1B / X-1E

Three X-1s were built. Powered flights began in Dec. and on Oct. 14 1947 the first X-1, piloted by Capt. Charles E. Yeager, became the first
aeroplane to exceed the speed of sound, reaching 670 mph or Mach 1.015 at an altitude of 42,000 ft. The X-1B was similar to the X-1A
except for having a slightly different wing. With the X-1A a speed of Mach 2.435 was achieved on Dec. 12, 1953. The X-1B was used for
high speed research by the Air Force prior to being turned over to the NACA in Jan. 1955. The last of the series was the X-1E.
This aircraft was a modified X 1-2 and was flown exclusively by the NACA.


X-1A - first plane which reached Mach 2.4

X-1B high speed research aircraft.

X 1-2: first plane faster than the speed of sound.

X-1A under belly of Boeing B-29 mothership.

The X-1E was exclusively used by NACA(rebuilt from X-1-2).

X1-2 on ramp with Boeing B-29.

X 1-2 being refuelled.

X 1-2 prior to take-off in the belly of a B-29 (note late WWll night camouflage).

  Click here for Bell X-2 Photo File

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