The highest human of the week was Lieut. Colonel Marion E. Carl, 37, one of the Marines' top fighter pilots of World War II (18½ enemy planes), who flew a Douglas Skyrocket to 83,235 ft. over Muroc Dry Lake, Calif., beating Test Pilot Bill Bridgeman's record of 79.000 ft. Carl was also the fastest military flyer, but his best speed (1,143 m.p.h.) did not beat Civilian Bridgeman's record (1,238 m.p.h.).
On his altitude flight, Carl's rocket plane was dropped from a 6-29 at 33,500 ft. His first rocket barrel did not fire at once, and he dropped to 28,000 ft. before the...
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