Introduction To Aviation

The Supersonic Age

 

 

The Supersonic Age

    Following the World War II, the jet fighters were developed to go faster, and using an experimental aircraft, the Bell X-1, the sound barrier was broken. The Sabre jets used in the Korean War were soon replaced by the F-100 Super Sabre, the world's first fighter top be able to sustain speeds over Mach 1. In answer to the American developments, the Soviets responded with the MiG-17 "Fresco" and eventually the supersonic MiG-19 "Farmer".
    In 1959, the Soviets developed what was the most successful jet fighter - the MiG-21 "Fishbed", which was capable of Mach 2 speeds and over 15,000 were built.
    Countries like United Kingdom and France continued to make low cost fighters for the countries that had emerged after the World War (eg. India), which wanted to build their own air forces.
    In 1963, the American company, McDonnel Douglas produced what was the most outstanding multi-role combat plane yet produced, the F-4 Phantom II. Big and heavy , the two-seater was designed for land and carrier base. Its 8 missiles, good radar and reliability made it the winner of the US Air Force, Navy, Marines and 11 other air forces.




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