Author Brian Shul on piloting the SR-71

[KevinP73]

I'm hoping this isn't a re-post. If you've not seen it before you'll enjoy it.

[rattlsnak]

yes a re post, and I will re watch it and I will re love it...

[Don Ro]

Love it...thanks. First time for me. Recording.

[javadog]

I recommend his book, if you haven't seen it yet.

[masraum]

There are a few other SR-71 threads, but since this one is specifically about Brian Shul, this seemed like a good one to bump.

This is from a thread that was posted directly into PARF, which seems like an odd place.



I didn't realize that he'd written a book until I saw it mentioned in this video (which starts with the "LA Speed-check" but that's not what the video is really about, so keep watching.


Like I said, I didn't realize that B Shul had written a book, and I thought, hell yeah, I want that! Then I saw that to get it used on Amazon was $400-500. Then I found new copies at https://www.sleddriver.com/ starting at $250.

I'd happily pay a reasonable sum for the book, but that's crazy. I have it on good authority that if you were so inclined you could download a pirated copy.

I will say that if you were to get the book and read the first 25-30 pages (out of a total of 150-170 pages), you'd probably be hooked and want to read the rest.

I suspect that in the first few pages of the book, Shul says that his book is not about the technical details and capabilities of the plane itself, but that if you want a book like that you should get "Blackbird" by Paul Crickmore published by Osprey.
It turns out that Paul Crickmore has written several books about the SR71.
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=blackbird+crickmore&ref=nb_sb_noss

[Embraer]

I checked out a copy of his book from the Palmdale City library. I had it at work with me to read during breaks, and somehow it "grew feet" from my area. I was freaking out....I didn't want to pay the $35 lost book fee from the library, until I looked on Amazon for replacement cost....and I gladly paid the $35 lost book fee. Great book, nonetheless.

[sc_rufctr]

The SR-71 would have to be one of the most important aircraft's ever made.
And most of what they did with it will never be made public.

What did they have to develop to make this thing a reality? Just incredible in every way.

[Evans, Marv]

There is one on display in front of the S.D. Air & Space Museum (there is also a Mig 15 inside). It's a huge plane and a thing you feel legends are made of. Sort of a strange feeling to stand under it. I enjoyed the video by Brian Shul. The Skunk Works still exists as far as I know, & I wonder sometimes what has come out of it in the meantime and will in the future.

[Embraer]

Skunk Works is still in Palmdale. The first Oxcart is on display in front of my old building in Palmdale. The SR's are that aren't on display someplace...are pickled away in a hangar at PMD airport.

[sc_rufctr]

OXCART on the right. I can't tell the difference.



https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2015-featured-story-archive/oxcart-vs-blackbird.html

[Embraer]

That's a J58 engine on the stand in the back...and that Oxcart on the right is the very first one (#6924). That picture was taken right outside of my old building. Those two aircraft are still sitting there. That photo above was taken around 1991. Another fun fact....the Space Shuttles and F117's, and B2's were built in the buildings in the background.

[911boost]

There is a 71 at the Udvar Hazy Air and Space by Dulles Airport in VA as well, it’s awesome.

[Brown747]

How they got the A-12s to Area 51.


Transporting the CIA A-12 Blackbird

[flatbutt]

Is it true that the -71 was all loose and leaky on the ground but tightened up in flight?

[DRONE]

I got to work on getting the A-12 mounted on the pedestal that is now in front of the San Diego Air and Space museum, we made most of the mounting and missing replica parts in the basement shop.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Is it true that the -71 was all loose and leaky on the ground but tightened up in flight?

Yes. The thermal expansion during high speed flight was considerable.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Embraer

I checked out a copy of his book from the Palmdale City library. I had it at work with me to read during breaks, and somehow it "grew feet" from my area. I was freaking out....I didn't want to pay the $35 lost book fee from the library, until I looked on Amazon for replacement cost....and I gladly paid the $35 lost book fee. Great book, nonetheless.

It is a good book and the latest version that Brian sells has a lot more content than the earlier versions. If you’ve ever talked to Brian, you’d buy one just to support a true American hero. I would encourage all of you to delve into his life story, he overcame a lot. He’s really nice guy, an aviation hero and a proud American.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Zeke

So, you stole the book.

No, someone stole the book from him.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Is it true that the -71 was all loose and leaky on the ground but tightened up in flight?

The entire plane gets 3-4 inches longer due to thermal expansion. And yes, they leak on the ground and in the air until they heat up. They took off with partially full tanks, and then had to refuel in the air. Apparently, they took on ~11,000 gallons of fuel in the air, so increased the weight of the plane by 65,000 - 70,000 lbs, and the refueling took ~15 mins. Apparently most missions required 2-4 refuelings.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

OXCART on the right. I can't tell the difference.



https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2015-featured-story-archive/oxcart-vs-blackbird.html

Look at the nose of the two planes. The narrow nose (right) is the earlier version. They increased the width of the fuselage via the wide/flat area along the length, I think the give more lift/stability.

Hah, I didn't notice the link in your post, and stumbled upon the same link. I was going to post it before I realized. Farther down that webpage is a link to an image showing a visual comparison between the two planes' silhouettes. Also, I think the plane on the left has a back seat (with window) and the plane on the right doesn't.