Today In History:  15 August  [1951]   --  Bill Bridgeman sets new altitude record

Bill Bridgeman sets a new altitude record in the Douglas Skyrocket of 74,494 ft (22,706 m). The Skyrocket was a rocket and jet-powered research supersonic aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for the United States Navy.

PHOTO: Boeing B-29 (P2B variant) on jacks to accept the Skyrocket

See the Historical Aviation Film Unit website at http://www.aviationfilm.com to get a new history tidbit every day.


Photo Attribution:  Public Domain  via Wikimedia.