If newt and Dave Roome say they did it, then they certainly would have done so!
It would be a very brave person who would query the word of such experienced WIWOLs to their face!
The RAF's oxygen masks, regulators and partial pressure jerkin / g-suits were held in high esteem by the USAF - particularly by those who had to wear the earlier 'space suit' full pressure suits.
How to pi$$ off a U-2 pilot during pre-oxygenation wearing his space suit and space helmet in the ground prep facility? Stand in front of him and start scratching an imaginary itch on your cheek....
There's also a good Lightning high-flyer article here (written by Porky page):
English Electric Lightning Site - Story of the Month
For true high-flying excitement, barring the X-15, the NF-104A must have been the ultimate! See
A personal history of the NF-104 AST by its main test pilot, Robert W. Smith - although Yeager hardly covered himself in glory, it would seem....
