Magazine content is available exclusively for TIME subscribers.Science: Records Confirmed
Navy Secretary Dan Kimball last week officially confirmed the unofficial guesses that the Navy's famed Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket had hit a top speed close to 1,300 m.p.h. on its record-breaking flight a year ago (TIME, July 16, 1951). The precise figure: 1,238 m.p.h. The record was made in level flight at the top of the plane's run. The Skyrocket's altitude record, made on another flight: 79,494 ft.
Test Pilot Bill Bridgeman added one other bit of pertinent information: even at his top speed he had needed no special cooling equipment. Said he: "The plane is soaked in cold at 65° below zero...
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