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They did seal the SR-71 tanks with a rubber-like sealant but it could not withstand the thermal stress. So, after a few missions the tanks would start to leak and they would leak a bit more until the next re-seal. It was no big deal for normal missions because they would top-up from the tanker right after takeoff and then get high and hot as quick as possible, at which point things would expand and the tanks would seal up.
For the record flights (at least the speed over long distance ones) they used "tight" aircraft that had just been re-sealed.
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened
Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance
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