Bell X-1 "Sonic Breaker" Last Flight

The X-1, built by Bell, was the first of the highly secretive American “X-planes” that tested out new technologies. Indeed, the X-1 was the very first aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight. Development started in 1945, and it was inspired by the shape of a Browning .50-cal machine gun round that was known to be stable in supersonic flight. Essentially, the Bell X-1 was a bullet with wings, propelled by a four-chamber rocket engine. The first supersonic test flight occurred on October 14, 1947 with Captain Chuck Yeager at the controls, and he achieved a speed of Mach 1.06 (1,299km/h) in X-1-1 (serial number 46-062), a plane that he had christened “Glamorous Glennis” after his wife’s name. The final flight of this Bell X-1 took place on October 23, 1951 and this ground- and sound-breaking aircraft is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Features:

• Fully detailed 1/144 Bell X-1
  
• Two complete X-1 replicas: one standard and the other with transparent fuselage showing off "interior" of X-1
  
• Stylish metal stand included
  
• Accurate engraved panel lines
  
• Historically accurate markings
  
• Pre-assembled