Back during the testing of the Hawker Hunter in the 1950s, they
were tested at supersonic speeds (in a dive) around Surrey and
Sussex (the area I currently live in), flying out of Dunsfold. I recently
read Neville Duke's autobiography (test pilot) and he describes the
first time he realised he'd gone past mach 1...it was when one of the
locals said to him in the pub "Good run this morning". It had generated
"one of they queer bangs".

Paul

"Jim Fisher" wrote in message
. ..
Too bad we have that silly rule about not breaking sound barriers in
populated areas here in the states. I'd love to witness that some day.