Stock Photo - Sep. 09, 1953 - 'I think I have beaten Duke' says Lithgow flashes across the desert in Speed record attempts: Four times Lieut. Commander Michael Lithgow flashed at 50ft. over the two mile course at Castle Idris, Tripoli, today in his blue Supermarine Swift and after leading he said 'I believe my speed was well above Squadron Leader Neville Duke's. It was Lithgow's first attempt on the world air speed record of 727.6 m.p.h. set up by Duke in a rival Hawker Hunter. Later today he was making another run over the flare marked course in the desert, regardless of this time and he is expected to make three more runs tomorrow. Photo shows Over the Libyan desert roars the Swift with Mike Lithgow in control. During this run the temperature ross of 180 degress. (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)