On January 19, 1946, the Bell X-1 flew for the first time, launching a research program that would lead to the world's first supersonic flight and the breaking of the sound barrier.

The X-1’s fuselage was designed to resemble a .50 caliber bullet—one of the only shapes known to have stable flight at supersonic speeds. The Bell X-1 hangs today from the ceiling of the National Air ...

CC0 Usage Conditions ApplyClick for more information. The Bell X-1 was a rocket-powered aircraft designed and built by Bell Aircraft in 1946 for a joint research project with the National Advisory ...

Bronze globe with Bell X-1 aircraft; on wood base. The trophy has a total of six plaques around the base. The plaque on the front describes the topic of the trophy. The first plaque to the right of ...