X-1 Desk Mat

Sale price$19.99 USD

Tax excluded.


The Bell X-1 was a revolutionary experimental aircraft that became the first plane to break the sound barrier, achieving this milestone on 14 October 1947. Piloted by Chuck Yeager, the X-1 reached a speed of Mach 1.06 (700 mph) at an altitude of 43,000 feet, proving that controlled supersonic flight was possible and dispelling myths about the "sound barrier" being an insurmountable limit. Powered by a Reaction Motors XLR11 rocket engine and designed with a fuselage shaped like a .50 caliber bullet for aerodynamic efficiency, the X-1's success marked a turning point in aviation and aerodynamics research. Its achievements laid the foundation for high-speed flight, influencing the development of modern jet fighters, supersonic bombers, and eventually space exploration vehicles, making it one of the most significant milestones in aviation history.