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 (for use with 4-venturi carbs) versions. The 351C 4V (M code) engine featured 11.0:1 compression and produced at 5400 rpm. This new performance engine incorporated elements learned from the Ford 385 series engine and the Boss 302, particularly the poly-angle combustion chambers with canted valves and the thin-wall casting technology. For 1971, Ford reduced the content of the Mach 1. The standard features of the model were as follows: In 1971, the Mach 1 was available with three 351 Cleveland engines; the H-code 2-V, the M-code 4-V and beginning in May of 1971, the 351CJ (Cobra Jet or GT engine).