The RACE to MACH 1

On 14 October 1947, the Bell XS-1 became the first aircraft in the world to achieve supersonic flight. In March 1946 the Miles M52 — also designed specifically for that purpose — had been cancelled before the first example was ready. Was the British aircraft really a serious contender for what became America’s crown? The latest research casts serious doubts M52 VERSUS X-1 A splendid artist’s impression of Miles M52 RT136 — the second of two serials provisionally allocated —