Second Supersonic Plane Model

In terms of aircraft, the second plane to go supersonic was the Douglas Skyrocket. While the Skyrocket, initially conceived as a rocket/jet engine hybrid, was second to go supersonic, it…

The Douglas Skyrocket is the second supersonic plane model. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The Douglas Skyrocket is the second supersonic plane model. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The Douglas Skyrocket is the second supersonic plane model. Photo courtesy of NASA.

In terms of aircraft, the second plane to go supersonic was the Douglas Skyrocket. While the Skyrocket, initially conceived as a rocket/jet engine hybrid, was second to go supersonic, it was the first to hit Mach 2, which it did with famed experimental test pilot Scott Crossfield at the controls during a flight in 1953. The plane was also intended at some point to go hypersonic, but the Air Force decided to focus on another plane, the X-15, which ultimately became the fastest atmospheric, powered aircraft ever.

J BeckettWriter

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