This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Mon Nov 26, 2018 11:25 am
The top speed record was broken in 1989 by Lyle Shelton in the F8F "Rare Bear".
Dago Red holds several world records, including the 15 km (517.323 mph) set in 1983. Frank Taylor piloted the plane to most of its world records in the 1980s. (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dago_Red)
Mon Nov 26, 2018 11:12 pm
There are records and there are records...Al Williams set an official FAI world three-km straightaway record of 266.59 mph in November 1923. The rules stated that he couldn't exceed 50 meters agl between the start and finish gates...but they neglected to say anything about altitude outside the course. So Williams did a full-power dive from 3,000 feet to the start gate, entering the course with probably--I'm guessing--75 or 100 extra mph in hand.
The FAI immediately changed the rules to specify 50 meters agl during the entry run, but the record stood (for one year).
Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:21 pm
Stephan Wilkinson wrote:There are records and there are records...
And there are records that are mean't to be broken. And to think the Wright brothers thought their speed record would never be broken. lol