[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by VillaRicaGA911

No leaking of fuel, a common misconception I learned this past summer from the SR.-71 display in Mobile,AL. Turns out the driver of that sled was a native of the great state of Alabama and on his death bed told his wife all the details of his work. The planes were never fully loaded with fuel while on the ground because it would have been too heavy to take off. How much gas is that you are asking? Try 2 semi truck taker fulls is the total amount too gas a SR 71 can hold.

Any actual sources for that? Because I've read in multiple places that because of the extreme heat associated with flying at the edge of the atmosphere at Mach 3+, they were required to build them "loose" at ambient temperature to allow for adequate surface expansion.