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    Categories: Law Life

The Top 5 Fastest Planes in the World

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

This plane first took flight back in 1964 and it still holds the record for the fastest airspeed reached using jet propulsion. The record-setting flight occurred on July 28, 1976. The jet that set the record reached speeds of 2,193 MPH.

Image credit: HerBeat
Musculair II

The Musculair II is the plane that holds the record for fastest flight by a human-powered plane. The record is a slow 30 MPH, but that is pretty fast for a plane powered by a human. The record was set in February of 1985. As you can see by the picture, this plane is not that practical.

Image credit: HerBeat
The Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle is the absolute fastest plane on this Earth with routine speeds of 17,500 miles per hour! Even though the Space Shuttle has recorded the fastest speeds ever, the program has been retired, which means a new record could be set.

Image credit: HerBeat
The X-15

The X-15 reached flight speeds of more than 4,500 miles per hour on October 3, 1967 when piloted by William Knight.

Image credit: HerBeat

The F8F Bearcat

The F8F Bearcat is a plane that comes from the World War II era, but it never saw fighting action in the war. When it comes to propeller planes, the F8F set the world record for speed at 528 miles per hour in 1986.

Image credit: HerBeat

Summary: Have you ever wondered what the fastest planes in the world are? We have the top five fastest from five different categories for you in this slideshow.

Jim Vassallo: Jim is a freelance writer based out of the suburbs of Philadelphia in New Jersey. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, son Tony and dog Phoebe.

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