When they were first trying to break the sound barrier in planes and achieve a sonic boom, how did they know something would actually happen considering they’d never done it before?

Question

When they were first trying to break the sound barrier in planes and achieve a sonic boom, how did they know something would actually happen considering they’d never done it before?

In: Physics

Answer 1

They had a pretty good idea. Planes would break up at high speeds. So aerodynamics and materials were refined. Project Paperclip certainly helped. We’re talking about right after world War 2. The ME262 flew pretty close to the sound barrier. The engine would need to be replaced after a few flights. But that was near the end of the war. Germany was bled white and trying to maintain a fighter craft built at the limit of technology.

We stood on the shoulders of giants.