Fifty-seven years ago this week, the USN/Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart became the first and only seaplane ever to exceed the speed of sound. Convair test pilot Charles E. Richbourg was at the controls of the experimental sea-based fighter. In 1948, the United States was looking to develop a sea-based supersonic fighter as a means projecting naval airpower. However, few in the Navy at that time believed that such as aircraft could be operated successfully from an aircraft carrier. Thus, the new aircraft would need to be a seaplane That is, it would take-off and land in the ocean. Read More
