Originally built as a Fairey Delta 2 to investigate flight and control at transonic and supersonic speeds. In 1956 WG774 broke the World Air Speed Record (1,132 mph) and so became the first aircraft to exceed 1,000 mph in level flight. However, to take full advantage of the aerodynamic properties of the wing the FD2 was modified into the BAC221 by featuring a longer highly swept wing, engine inlet configuration, a RR Avon RA engine, modified tail and undercarriage. She paved the way for and is parked alongside Concorde, real aviation history at the FAA Museum.
This photo is copyright © Alastair T. Gardiner, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.
It was added on 23 April 2018, and has since been viewed 1369 times.
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