BELL X-1 PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED BY CHUCK YEAGER AND 10 OTHER PILOTS AND ENGINEERS
[1947]. Novelty. An early photograph of the Bell X-1 jet, signed by Chuck Yeager and his fellow pilots and engineers in the NACA/USAF Supersonic Research Project. 14' x 11', mounted on pasteboard and hand-ruled. WITH two additional 12.5 x 5' photos of Muroc test planes, the Northrop YB-35 and Douglas XB-43, both stamped on the verso 'RESTRICTED / OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH US AIR FORCES MUROC AIR FIELD / Muroc, California.' We date each of these photos to pre-1950, and we believe the Bell X-1 photo to have been signed close to the actual event of the breaking of Mach 1 on October 14, 1947. The Bell X-1 photo shows noticeable aging and some small stains. The mounting was an amateur job, with hand-traced borders and rough-cut mounting backer. The signatures of multiple engineers whose names are not commonly seen on the later glamour in-flight photos signed in sharpie on publicity tours would likely place this at a time when all of the signees were still stationed at Muroc. Additionally, the two unsigned phtoos are stamped with Muroc Air Field, dating them before the renaming of 'Muroc' to 'Edwards' Air Force Base in 1950. The breaking of the sound barrier was one of the greatest milestones in aviation history. Bell labs was contracted by the US Army Air Force and the NACA in a joint project, seeking to explore and develop operational capacity for high-speed flight. Bell labs overcame challenges to structural integrity as well as difficulties in steering imposed by high G-forces at high speed. Notable signees on this photo include Slick Goodwin and Tex Johson (signatures next to each other) the original test pilots and alternates to Chuck Yeager for the October 14 flight. A Bell pilot, Slick was originally planned to make the flight, but Bell balked at his and Johnson's request for a $150,000 bonus for the supersonic flight. Discussions were initiated with the US Army for a military pilot to do the honors, eventually leading to the choice of Yeager, a legendary WWII Ace already notable in jet-aviation lore for having shot down a Nazi Messerschmitt Me 262, one of the first aerial victories over a jet plane. Head project engineer Jack Ridley and backup pilot R. A. Hoover sign just below Yeager. Engineers John J. Gordon and Leroy Proctor occupy the top left corner, and W. F. Moore and Dick Frost are in the bottom right corner beneath a faded and indescipherable signature. We have not been able to place the identity of a signee in the lower left corner, Charles [Alswick?], perhaps a mechanic or unrecorded project member. A stunning piece of aviation, engineering, and military history--contemporary signatures from Yeager and other Bell test pilots are very seldom seen. GOOD. Item #515324
Price: $3,500.00