70 years since Jacqueline Cochran became first woman to break sound barrier on 18 May 1953
Jacqueline Cochran was already a highly decorated pilot with numerous speed records to her name when she slid into the cockpit on 18 May 1953 ready for another record attempt.
The aircraft was a Canadian-built F-86 Sabre Mk, loaned to Cochran by the Canadian Air Force. Her goal was a speed record, over a distance of 100km above Rogers Dry Lake, California, USA.
In her autobiography, published in 1987* the famous American pilot recalled her challenge:
