Critical Mach number and slow down as it travels around the aircraft's structure. When the aircraft's airspeed reaches the critical Mach number, the speed of the airflow in some areas near the airframe reaches the speed of sound, even though the aircraft itself has an airspeed lower than Mach 1.0. This creates a weak shock wave. As the aircraft exceeds the critical Mach number, its drag coefficient increases suddenly, causing dramatically increased drag, and, in an aircraft not designed for transonic or supersonic speeds, changes to the airflow over the flight control surfaces lead to deterioration in control of the aircraft. In aircraft
Ford Mustang Mach 1 (without Ram Air) remained optional on every model. Chart does not reflect the Boss 351 variant of the 351 Cleveland or 250cid I6, as neither were available in the Mach 1 package. The 1972 R-code 351HO package - essentially the solid-lifter Boss 351 motor from 1971 with a reduction in compression from 11.0:1 to 8.8:1 - is listed here, as it was available with the Mach 1 package that year. The Mach 1 name continued with the advent of the Mustang II in 1974. The downsized vehicle - fitted with the 2.8 L V6 rated at - outsold the Mach