Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Aug 22, 2023 18:58:26 GMT
Almost missed this due to other greater/ongoing and non-FS related priorities ....
On August 21 1961 a DC-8-43 (bearing the DOUGLAS test registration N9604Z) earned distinction of becoming the first civil jetliner to exceed the sound barrier. In a sortie over the Askana Tracking Range, at Edwards AFB California, this aircraft attained a speed of MACH 1.012/662mph (TAS) during a planned shallow and controlled dive from FL520 .... and which was also an world altitude record for a civil jetliner too. No MACH buffet was experienced throughout the acceleration to MACH 1, but, minor buffet did occurred during the deceleration phase of the aircrafts shallow dive between FL520 and FL300. This particular aircraft was later delivered to CANADIAN PACIFIC AIRLINES as CF-CPG on November 15th 1961 (named "Empress Of Montreal" .... Fleet # 602 .... and later renamed "Empress Of Buenos Aires" after its transition to CP AIR during May 1969) and with whom it served until March 17th 1980 when it was finally retired from service and sold to FB AYER & ASSOCIATES .... then on-sold to CONCORD INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES but stored at Miami, USA, where it was eventually scrapped during May 1981.
Sadly this particular aircraft was never preserved, but, the reality is even a preserved aircraft needs money thrown at it .... and in the event that's not sufficiently/abundantly forthcoming, then, these things are generally worth much more "in scrap" than anyone's willing, or can afford, in order to maintain their up-keep .... even as preserved aircraft.
Mark C
AKL/NZ
