Let's see... at 34 million per unit, and they built 32, that's a whole lot of moolah! Great shot of assembled family members at some moment in time. I'm a huge fan of the aircraft—simply

Aug 05, 2019,19:19 PM
 

the most astonishing airplane ever built. You're aware of various quirks and oddities, I'm sure. Including the much publicized fuel tanks that had to be built with gaps so that they would close in flight due to the vast temperature differential encountered by the plane. On YouTube one can see the planes "weeping" fuel on the tarmac, awaiting flight. If ever an airplane deserved the word "awesome," it's the Blackbird.   FH

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

For aviation fans

 
 By: reintitan : August 5th, 2019-15:52
Incredible photograph of the SR-71 Blackbird family of aircraft from the manufacturer. Just straight-out bad@$$. Recall, this is 1950s-60s technology! Just imagine what kind of top secret stuff they're flying now. Photo credit: Lockheed Martin ...  

Funny anecdotes about the SR-71

 
 By: Wojo : August 5th, 2019-18:02
The recollections of Maj. Brian Shul, USAF (Ret.) on flying the Blackbird. https://m. Enjoy, Wojo

Let's see... at 34 million per unit, and they built 32, that's a whole lot of moolah! Great shot of assembled family members at some moment in time. I'm a huge fan of the aircraft—simply

 
 By: halgedahl : August 5th, 2019-19:19
the most astonishing airplane ever built. You're aware of various quirks and oddities, I'm sure. Including the much publicized fuel tanks that had to be built with gaps so that they would close in flight due to the vast temperature differential encountere... 

Superb photo. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : August 5th, 2019-23:44

Superb

 
 By: Jurry : August 6th, 2019-02:41
Great picture. One of the reasons the bird was able to reach Mach 3+ is fact that it was “cruising” at very high altitudes. The higher you are, the lower the air density thus lower is speed of sound. Within the Airforce pilots community there is (perhaps ... 

Cool photo! Here are a few more.

 
 By: Overwound : August 6th, 2019-06:38
For anyone in the area I'd suggest a stop by the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. It's not far from Washington, DC and, for me, far more enjoyable compared to the one in the National Mall. Lots more to see and the crowd wasn't bad at all when I w...  

They have SR-71s and A-12s scattered all over the West as well.

 
 By: reintitan : August 8th, 2019-12:01
I'll have to visit the Blackbird museum down south in Palmdale to see both side by side.

I didn't know of this place.

 
 By: Overwound : August 9th, 2019-07:10
Sounds like a cool day trip!

Photo from the Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale, CA from reddit

 
 By: reintitan : August 9th, 2019-17:35
US Airforce SR-71 "BLACKBIRD" on the left, CIA A-12 "OXCART" on the right. According to published specs the A-12 flew faster and higher than the SR-71, but had less range on a full tank. And of course, the A-12 was a single-seater while the SR-71 had a pi...  

Blackbirds Watches

 
 By: desertimer : August 7th, 2019-03:33
Blackbirds's Pilot were wearing this beauty. Nasa commissionet to Bulova a watch to beweared outside the space suite that could resist to temperature variation in the cockpit. I am restoring this one. ...