The SR-71 Blackbird

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Think about the time and place in history when this magnificent flying machine was developed.

Slide rules and drafting tables, immature engine technologies and materials science and they made it work.

That’s the most staggering part to me, and still the world’s fastest plane (that we know about). And Skunkworks was able to put her in the air in months, not years. We have certainly done a great job of stifling innovation and creativity in our aerospace industry.

For those who are a fan of this era, the Ben Rich book “Skunkworks” is fantastic. He worked under Kelly Johnson and took over after he retired.

[fanaudical]

Just out of curiosity - Where is that tire for sale at? Is that Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinvville, OR?

[javadog]

So many great stories regarding the development of this plane and the others in that era.

The F-4, the -104, so many others. The Apollo program…

[Steve Carlton]

Kelly Johnson developed the P-38, too.

[Magyar Kiwi]

Hunting for the wreckage of A-12,928
Cheers
https://www.otherhand.org/home-page/area-51-and-other-strange-places/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

[Skip Newsom]

Up until the 1980’s Paine Field in Everett hosted air shows with the Blue Angels, Snowbirds etc.

I was working in a facility off site to the NE of the factory and word spread via phone calls that an SR 71 was going to make a pass or two- everyone including the bosses stopped working and went outside. We heard it well before it ripped by at less than a thousand feet above us.
It got quiet again but in a couple minutes it was making much more noise, this time as it flew just above the factory the pilot pointed straight up, rolled on the throttles and wagged the wings a couple times before completely disappearing from sight accompanied by a gut shaking roar.

To this day that’s the most impressive thing I’ve ever witnessed.

[charlesbahn]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the SR-71, and I mean everything.
Charles

[masraum]

Originally Posted by charlesbahn

Everything you ever wanted to know about the SR-71, and I mean everything.
Charles

Nice, also available (cheaper) on the big A.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by kevin993

where is this?

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

where is this?

Kind of looks like the Smithsonian out by Dulles.

[Steve Carlton]

An earlier version M-21 carrying a D-21 drone (only 1 of 2 remains). I had no idea! Apparently, the D-21 would eject the camera and self-destruct.





https://www.museumofflight.org/exhibits-and-events/aircraft/lockheed-m-21-blackbird

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_D-21

[kevin993]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

where is this?

Evergreen in Oregon

[A930Rocket]

Last summer, I went to see our son, I went to the USS Intrepid and saw an SR-71. I asked our guide why the tires were white, but he did not know. I found out later.

[Steve Carlton]

Top Secret information ?

[A930Rocket]

I could say, but then I would have to kill everybody on the board here… 😂

[A930Rocket]

[fanaudical]

Originally Posted by kevin993

Evergreen in Oregon

The Evergreen museum seems to be slowly getting rid of high-value exhibits in an effort to stay open. I hope they survive...

[Steve Carlton]

That sucks. Do you know which exhibits?

[masraum]

I haven't tried to fact check this. I have gotten to the point where I doubt almost everything that I read on the Internet. But it seems plausible and is very interesting if it's true.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by masraum

I haven't tried to fact check this. I have gotten to the point where I doubt almost everything that I read on the Internet. But it seems plausible and is very interesting if it's true.

Linda is credible. Her dad was in the SR-71 program.

It’s a story told in Ben Rich’s book, which is quite good.