- Yes
- No
With the rapid tech development in the 50s new records were frequently set. On September 4, 1959, soviet pilot Vladimir Sergeyevich Ilyushin flew a specially modified Sukhoi Su-9 designated T-431 and reached an altitude of 94,658ft (28,852 metres). A new world record for a turbojet-powered aircraft. Tge previous record was held by Howard C. Johnson who had reached 91,243ft (27,811 metres) in a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
At the time a new fighter was being introduced to the US Navy, the McDonnell F4H Phantom II. In 1959 US Navy decided to put its new fighter for a challenge and break the altitude record. That’s how Project Top Flight was born. Unfortunately, the first attempt to break the record ended in the tragic death of Gerald “Zeke” Huelsback, a McDonnell pilot.
During second attempt YF4H-1 BuNo 142260 was used. All non-essential parts were removed from the aircraft, that includes radar and the second seat, while the engines were modified for higher thrust.
On December 6, 1959, Commander Lawrence E. Flint Jr. reached altitude of 98,557ft (30,040 metres). On the photo Commander Lawrence E. Flint Jr. leaving the record-breaking Phantom
Record didn’t last long. On December 14, 1959, Captain “Joe” B. Jordan reached altitude of 103,389 ft (31,513 metres) in Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
Sources
File:330-ps-9803-428-gx-usn-710526 15395637766 o.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
List of flight altitude records - Wikipedia
McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom (142260) , project Top Flight | Flickr
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/USN-710000/USN-710526.html
