3 October 1953. Salton Sea California. Douglas F4D-1 Skyray sets new speed record: 753.4-mph

Delta wings of Douglas F4D-1 Skyray give it the appearance of a huge moth. It has an air intake on each side of fuselage.

The plane made the prescribed four passes over the 1.8-mile course at an average speed of 753.4 mph. The Salton Sea basin was chosen for the run because of its extremely hot climate - it was 98.5F the day the record was broken. At such temperatures the speed of sound is considerably higher than normal, so that jets can reach greater speeds before being slowed as they buffet against the sonic barrier. The delta wing Douglas F4D-1 Skyray  was piloted by Lieut. Commander James B. Verdin, who once before had attempted to break the speed record in the same plane but was forced to slow up on the last lap because his fuel was running low.