Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
First Flight to Break the Sound Barrier
X-1 Loading Pit
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 14, 2022
1. Sound Barrier Marker
The Bell X-1 was loaded into its B-29 launch aircraft from this pit on October 14, 1947. Captain Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager piloted the airplane to Mach 1.06 (700 mph).
Erected 2002 by National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Greater Los Angeles Chapter.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is October 14, 1947.
Location. 34° 53.919′ N, 117° 52.766′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Hospital Road/Jones Road, 3.3 miles east of Lancaster Boulevard. Marker is located in the northwest corner of the parking lot near Building 120. Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edwards CA 93523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rocket Engine NF-104A (approx. 1.7 miles away); F-86F (approx. 1.8 miles away); Leaps in Technology (approx. 1.8 miles away); F-16B (approx. 1.8 miles away); Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft (approx. 2.1 miles away); Sound Barrier Cracked (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Medal of Honor (approx. 2.3 miles away); Jackie Cochran (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.
Regarding First Flight to Break the Sound Barrier.
this page online
Also see . . . Breaking the Sound Barrier - From Mach 1 to Mach 10. (Submitted on February 13, 2012.)
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 14, 2022
2. Marker and Loading Pit
courtesy U.S. Air Force
3. Charles "Chuck" Yeager
courtesy U.S. Air Force
4. Bell X-1 in the Loading Pit
courtesy U.S. Air Force
5. Bell X-1
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 791 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on February 13, 2012. 4, 5. submitted on October 17, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
