The Odd Airplane that Achieved a Crazy Mach Speed

In April 1985, as part of a trial pursued by British Airways, many of the world's fastest aircraft reunited in one place to test out the aviation world's latest star: the BAC Concorde, a supersonic airliner that could maintain a supercruise up to Mach 2.04

Only a few months earlier, the Franco-British aircraft flew from London Heathrow to Sydney in a record time of 17 hours, 3 minutes, and 45 seconds, including refueling stops.

Famous aircraft from NATO allied countries like F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, Grumman F-14 Tomcats, Dassault Mirages, and F-104 Starfighters, were offered the once-in-a-lifetime chance to chase the Concorde.

But despite their best efforts, time and time again, these guardians of the skies could simply not reach the Concorde.

Only a fellow British Aircraft Corporation model would beat the others to the punch. A single BAC Lightning interceptor, flown by pilot Mike Hale, managed to overtake Concorde on a stern conversion intercept.

While the pilot described the Concorde as a very hot ship, he knew the aircraft he was piloting was nothing less than the fastest solely British fighter of all time.

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