andy green land speed record Page 8

Andy Green set the current world land speed record in 1997, piloting the jet-powered ThrustSSC to an average of 1,227.985 km/h (yes, supersonic) at Black Rock Desert.

The run on 15 October was the first to officially break the sound barrier on land, verified over two passes within an hour.

Green, a Royal Air Force Wing Commander, kept it arrow-straight while two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans tried to rearrange Nevada.

The record still stands, with the Bloodhound LSR project chasing a future higher mark but not yet toppling it.