The Speed of Sound

Most probably think it was the Concorde or the Russian made Tu-144 “Concordski” was the first commercial airliner to exceed the speed of sound.  Neither was.

 

It was a DC-8-40 powered by Rolls Royce Conway engines.  During a test of leading edge wing improvements over Edwards Air Force Base in August of 1961, this aircraft dived from 52,000 feet and achieved Mach 1.012 (660.6 mph) at 41,088 feet.

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