Yeager, Chuck (1923– )

The Bell X-1 plane, famed as US test pilot Chuck Yeager's ‘Glamorous Glennis’, was the first plane to break the sound barrier. It is seen here accelerating towards Mach 1 on its epic flight on 14 October 1947. The aircraft's conical nose, modelled on the lines of a .50 calibre bullet, and the shock diamonds from its exhaust trail, can be seen.

US aviator and test pilot. Yeager was the first man to break the sound barrier and was involved in numerous aviation projects. He held various air force command assignments 1954–62 and was vice commander of the Ramstein, Germany, Air Base (1968–69), US defence representative to Pakistan (1971–73), and director of aerospace safety at Norton Air Force Base in California (1973–75).

Born in Myra, West Virginia, he was a fighter pilot ace during World War II. He broke the sound barrier in 1947 when he flew the Bell X-1 rocket 670 mph/1,080 kph in level flight. His autobiography, Press On, was published in 1985. Achieving hero status through his talent, bravery, and humility, he is the subject of Tom Wolfe's book, The Right Stuff (1979; filmed 1983).