Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket
An evolution of the Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak, the Skyrocket was made to burn and the first aircraft to obtain Mach 2, albeit in a slight dive, and happening on 20 November 1953. The Skyrocket flew most often between Mach 1.5 and Mach 1.7 collecting valuable data which was subsequently used in the Century Fighter designs. The entire D-558 program — both the Skystreak and Skyrocket — made significant contributions seen to this day. These can be noted in the all moving tailplanes as well as the streamlined shapes of the underwing stores carried by fighter and attack aircraft.