Yeah, I was at Edwards for the 50th anniversary of Yeager's sound barrier flight. We were actually out there to "teach" the test pilot school students how to fly and evaluate something with propellors and rudders.
We came in early for the airshow and essentially were treated like "one of the gang" - back stage passes as it were - BOQ and O Club. We were air force pilots for the weekend.
During the airshow, we stood right next to the SR-71 and watched them fire it up with the twin 454 ci V8's (man are those loud!) and it leaked fuel everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE. I got this whole thing on video! We stood at the departure end of the runway when she took off spewing fuel out the tail and then did a burner low pass. UNBELIEVABLE!!
When the -71 starts her take off roll, an F-16 does a low pass 100' over our heads. Oh yeah, gets the blood pumping.
We also got to hang out with one of the Blackbird pilots and flew the simulator. You would not believe how long it takes to change course at Mach 3. Minutes. Unbelievable bird even if it was designed now - and it was designed 50 years ago.
Those published numbers have been public knowledge for sometime now and I am positive that they are not all that accurate.
+1 on Skunkworks. Great book.