This phenomenon only occurs when an aircraft breaks the sound barrier and the atmospheric conditions are perfect.

Aok, that's what whomever sent this email 57 people ago said.  Now, that's believable.  So, it seems to me that you should interpret the statement to mean the this white cloud funnel effect occurs for as long as the vehicle is traversing the perfect atmospheric conditions at supersonic speeds.  If this effect only happens when the plane "jumps" to supersonic from subsonic, like jumping thru a barrier, then that would make amazing that anyone could catch that "jump" on film.

The effect is not centered on the leading edge, but rather "around" a protrusion, like the cockpit.  Why is it round?  Funnel shape makes sense, as the shock wave moves outward at the speed of sound, slower than the plane. 

No cockpit effect here.

or here.  Why is the funnel located behind the lateral wings and in front of the vertical tail.  And it's fully formed under the plane where there aren't any protrusions.

This last one doesn't look at all the same.  The funnel is not round.  I assume strong cross winds deformed the funnel.  Maybe this is the typical effect look, and the funnel is only on a perfect day. 

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