In the December 1955 issue, Popular Mechanics hopped in the cockpit with photographers of a growing profession called jetography. Armed with the latest cameras (by mid-century standards), they captured stunning aerial images of a relatively new aerial beast the jet fighter. Here s how they did it.
At 40,000 feet and near the speed of sound, you re gulping oxygen, struggling against a Herculean G-force that slams you into the seat, as heavy-armed and sweating you try to focus your camera a camera which weighed a mere 10 pounds ground side, but now weighs 30.
There, off to starboard and headed straight at you on collision course, hurtles a jet fighter. You ve planned it this way, of course briefed and plotted every move and turn. But things can go wrong. Sweat trickles down your back. Your legs are rubbery, but somehow, fighting that strangling G-force, you work out of your seat.