Sud-Ouest SO 6025 Espadon 03 French Air Force
This rare example of Espadon was a third prototype built and the only surviving Espadon. In 1953 its wings were replaced by bigger ones and fitted with rocket engine SEPR. This resulted in being the first european aircraft to break the sound barrier in level flight on December 15th 1953. The holes in the fuselage are the result of a gunfire as this example was once being used as a target at firing range. Ailes Anciennes museum in Toulouse. | Rob Vogelaar