Aces Wild: The Race for Mach 1 - Hardcover

Blackburn, Al

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0842027327 ISBN 13: 9780842027328

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1998

Synopsis

They were in a two-man race to break the sound barrier. It was October 1947, a time before high-speed digital computers, when predictions of what would happen to fighter planes at such speeds were nebulous. Chuck Yeager and George Welch, two great fighter pilots from World War II, were about to explore the unknown in the bright blue sky over the Mojave Desert. Aces Wild: The Race for Mach 1 is the story of these two courageous men who dueled to become the first to fly at supersonic speed, Mach 1, in an aircraft. The book attempts to set the record straight as to who actually broke the sound barrier first.

One pilot, the more celebrated of the duo, is still alive today. Aces Wild also tells the story of the other aviator, George Welch, who lost his life in 1954 while once again flying beyond the technological wisdom of his day over the Mojave Desert. Aces Wild traces the story of fighter planes from the start of World War II at Pearl Harbor through the transition to jets in the 1950s. The author reveals the views of supersonic flight before and after 1947 by pilots, scientists, engineers, business interests, the government, and the media. This dramatic tale will appeal to aviation buffs and all readers, especially those who enjoyed Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff.

About this title

About the Author:

Al Blackburn is an aeronautical engineer and former test pilot.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Some days everything seemed to come together just right. A beautiful, clear sky, a sleek, brand new jet still redolent of its new-plane smell, not unlike that of a new car, and a slicing climb that seemed as though it would continue into orbit . . . Below, the dust and grime, the drudgery and daily cares in dull earth tones had turned to greens and blues and pleasant prospects, viewed from a vantage point higher than the vanishing condors. In those days before the introduction of commercial jetliners, more often than not we fortunate few had sole possession of the upper reaches of the earths atmosphere. Surely I must be one of the most privileged of mortals; and for this, Gods smile, there must be a balancing out, a debt, a payback, a broader responsibility. But what, when, how much, and to whom? I would have time to think about it after I rejoined my earthbound fellow travelers. For the moment, enjoy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0842027327
• ISBN 13: 9780842027328
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 282