We rewind to the early Cold War and trace how Convair’s F-102 went from a subsonic embarrassment to a Mach-capable interceptor. We break down the failed engines and drag disaster, then show how ...

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 ...