That’s the most staggering part to me, and still the world’s fastest plane (that we know about). And Skunkworks was able to put her in the air in months, not years. We have certainly done a great job of stifling innovation and creativity in our aerospace industry.

For those who are a fan of this era, the Ben Rich book “Skunkworks” is fantastic. He worked under Kelly Johnson and took over after he retired.

Just out of curiosity - Where is that tire for sale at? Is that Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinvville, OR?

So many great stories regarding the development of this plane and the others in that era.

The F-4, the -104, so many others. The Apollo program…

Kelly Johnson developed the P-38, too.

Hunting for the wreckage of A-12,928
Cheers
https://www.otherhand.org/home-page/area-51-and-other-strange-places/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

Up until the 1980’s Paine Field in Everett hosted air shows with the Blue Angels, Snowbirds etc.

I was working in a facility off site to the NE of the factory and word spread via phone calls that an SR 71 was going to make a pass or two- everyone including the bosses stopped working and went outside. We heard it well before it ripped by at less than a thousand feet above us.
It got quiet again but in a couple minutes it was making much more noise, this time as it flew just above the factory the pilot pointed straight up, rolled on the throttles and wagged the wings a couple times before completely disappearing from sight accompanied by a gut shaking roar.

To this day that’s the most impressive thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the SR-71, and I mean everything.
Charles

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1753055232.jpg

Nice, also available (cheaper) on the big A.

where is this?

Kind of looks like the Smithsonian out by Dulles.

An earlier version M-21 carrying a D-21 drone (only 1 of 2 remains). I had no idea! Apparently, the D-21 would eject the camera and self-destruct.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1753218843.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1753218921.jpg

https://www.museumofflight.org/exhibits-and-events/aircraft/lockheed-m-21-blackbird

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_D-21

Evergreen in Oregon

Last summer, I went to see our son, I went to the USS Intrepid and saw an SR-71. I asked our guide why the tires were white, but he did not know. I found out later.

Top Secret information ?

I could say, but then I would have to kill everybody on the board here… 😂

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1753225744.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1753225744.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1753225744.jpg

The Evergreen museum seems to be slowly getting rid of high-value exhibits in an effort to stay open. I hope they survive...

That sucks. Do you know which exhibits?

I haven't tried to fact check this. I have gotten to the point where I doubt almost everything that I read on the Internet. But it seems plausible and is very interesting if it's true.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1754513822.jpg

Linda is credible. Her dad was in the SR-71 program.

It’s a story told in Ben Rich’s book, which is quite good.