Aircraft designers had a wondrous week: ¶ In El Segundo, Calif., the Navy introduced its new Skyrocket, the first man-carrying plane (as distinct from guided missiles) powered by both jet and rocket energy. Built by Douglas, the Skyrocket is a swordfish-shaped, back-swept-winged sister ship of the Navy's Skystreak, present holder of the world's speed record (650.6 m.p.h.). Douglasmen hoped that it would make air history by breaking through the sonic walli.e., by flying faster than the speed of sound (about 765 m.p.h. at sea level). ¶ In St. Louis, the McDonell Aircraft...
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