One of two high speed supersonic research aircraft, 777 contributed to the Concord development programme, and in 1956 held the World's absolute speed record at 1132 mph. Seen here with her 'droop snoot' engaged, a feature which improved the pilots forward view at high angles of attack.

On 10 March 1956 sister FD2 WG774 captured the World's Absolute Speed Record at 1,132 mph between Ford and Chichester in Sussex. Piloted by Lt Cdr P Twiss, this was the first aircraft to exceed 1,000 mph in level flight.

The FD-2 was Fairey's attempt to investigate flight and control characteristics of the delta-wing design at trans and supersonic speeds. This aircraft's sister plane (WG774) broke the world speed record in 1956 by more than 300 mph, quite an achievement considering the record had been set only a year previously by a F-100.

This was the second Fairey Delta 2 built, the first having first flown in October, 1954. The type was the first to exceed 1,000 mph in level flight. It is seen here preserved at the RAF Museum Cosford Collection

Exhibited at the 1969 Battle of Britain Air Show at RAF Finningley. Allocated 7986M. Now preserved at RAF Cosford.