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Sometime in 1994 I was a Boeing flight test guy on a remote trip to Edwards testing brakes on the 767-400. We had about a week down while replacing a MLG axle and I took my ID and driving passes for a ride. That day I visited a SR-71 in the hangar, the drop test B-52 and a B1 being pre-flighted by my Boeing counterparts.
I sat in each one making airplane noises when no one was looking. The SR-71 had been retired but NASA was using one for some type of test that I don't recall right now. I looked into everything - wheel wells, engine bays, access panels, etc. All very classic aircraft systems from a design layout.
The B-52 was outside of the hangar and the maintenance crew just asked that I let them know when I was leaving. I crawled through every space, sat in every seat, looked over the drop test symbols on the exterior with awe actually.
The B1 was powered up and undergoing the preflight but my Boeing mates let me sit in and observe as long as I wanted. Again, I was impressed.
Very cool day for an airplane nerd.
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