BLACKBIRD AT 50

[Milek]

It was 50 years ago (april) that the first A-12 took to the air.
To commemorate this anniversary I visited American Aviation Museum in Duxford.







I have got a more of the pictures...

[Hihonyr8811]

Always been fascinated by the Blackbird, never seen on fly sadly.

I take it none fly now?

[MOD]

Then please post more... Thanks for posting these .

ibw

[Milek]

Air inlets were a critical design feature and caused a lot of problems for Pratt & Whittney:




Very interesting shape of the external part of wing:




Major portion of the lower and upper inboard wing skin were corrugated:

[MOD]

I love those detail shots. When the Habu was flying you could never get as close as this.

Helen the Blackbird display was actually quite disappointing after the takeoff. The Vulcan and even the B52 put on a much more interesting display. The SR71 was not really at home below 60,000 feet and Mach II

ibw

[Milek]

[Hihonyr8811]

Great close ups Milek





I'd still have loved to have seen one
http://youtu.be/9pedZz5VLcs
I like the story told in the description make sure you read it I'm too young to remember Greenham Common, mum remembers it though, probably because I was born not long after that Video was made (July 83)

[Xplumberlives]

I love those detail shots. When the Habu was flying you could never get as close as this.

Helen the Blackbird display was actually quite disappointing after the takeoff. The Vulcan and even the B52 put on a much more interesting display. The SR71 was not really at home below 60,000 feet and Mach II

ibw

But the best part was when the commentator at Mildehall would say things like, if he misses the turn, he'll be out over the north sea!

[Milek]

My recommendation is to read 'Classic Aircraft' issue February 2012.

[Bovril]

dont a couple still fly occasionally to cover up for other aircraft types?

[Xplumberlives]

dont a couple still fly occasionally to cover up for other aircraft types?

Not any more, that became a political hot potato due to the funding and where it was being taken from, a joint NASA and USAF unit were to fly missions but I think it all came to nought!

[10680]

I love those detail shots. When the Habu was flying you could never get as close as this.

Helen the Blackbird display was actually quite disappointing after the takeoff. The Vulcan and even the B52 put on a much more interesting display. The SR71 was not really at home below 60,000 feet and Mach II

ibw

I seem to recall dumping fuel and then lighting afterburners was fun!

[Dan4th]

I know there is a handfull of F-117
stealth aircraft well-maintained to
be put back in service if needed.....

It wouldn't surprise me if a few of
the Blackbirds are also tucked-away
in the desert somewhere

BTW, those are Great Photos!

And God Bless Kelly Johnson!

Thank You!

Danf.

[Jigsaw]

Great picks Milek

[MOD]

It wouldn't surprise me if a few of
the Blackbirds are also tucked-away
in the desert somewhere
Danf.

I so hope so. I wonder if any of the 30 something airframes have gone under the Scrapman's axe?


ibw

[Bovril]

http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/

[Milek]

I wonder if any of the 30 something airframes have gone under the Scrapman's axe?

No one. All are stored in museums:

SR-71A 61-7954 - Edwards AFB, California
SR-71B 61-7956 - Kalamazoo, Michigan
SR-71A 61-7958 - Warner Robins, Georgia
SR-71A 61-7959 - Elgin AFB, Floryda
SR-71A 61-7960 - Atwater, California
SR-71A 61-7961 - Hutchinson, Kansas
SR-71A 61-7962 - American Air Museum in Britain, Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England
SR-71A 61-7963 - Beale AFB, California
SR-71A 61-7964 - Ashland, Nebraska
SR-71A 61-7967 - Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana
SR-71A 61-7968 - Richmond, Virginia
SR-71A 61-7971 - McMinnville, Oregon
SR-71A 61-7972 - Washington Dulles International Airport , Chantilly, Virginia
SR-71A 61-7973 - Palmdale, California
SR-71A 61-7975 - Riverside, California
SR-71A 61-7976 - Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio
SR-71A 61-7979 - San Antonio, Texas
SR-71A 61-7980 - Edwards AFB, California
SR-71C 61-7981 - Ogden, Utah

A-12 60-6924 - Palmdale, California
A-12 60-6925 - USS Intrepid, New York City
A-12B (trainer) 60-6927, Los Angeles, California
A-12 60-6930 - Huntsville, Alabama
A-12 60-6931 - CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia
A-12 60-6933 - San Diego, California
A-12 60-6937 - Birmingham, Alabama
A-12 60-6938 - USS Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
A-12 60-6940 - Seattle, Washington

YF-12A 60-6934 (transformed in SR-71C) - Hill AFB, Utah
YF-12A 60-6935 - Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio

M-21 61-6940 - Seattle, Washington

[Dan4th]

The only question would be:

Is that ALL of the Blackbirds built?

Given the CIA connection, it is not
possible to know for certain!

Also, when you consider that many
things about this aircraft are STILL
CLASSIFIED today, well.........

You do the math!

Danf.

[Milek]

They are all saved airplanes of the Blackbird familly. Not including drones D-21.
Another Blackbirds are losted.

- Source: Steve Pace 'Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird'
- Wikipedia.

A lot of information about Blackbirds are declassified.
Information about operational using still are classified.

If somebody want to see more pictures - add some remarks, please. I can't to write a new post after my own post.

[RLN]

We always like to see more photos.

[Sploosher]

Thanks for the pictures, this is one bird I have always liked, when they were on the ground prior to take off, they leaked like a sieve, they took off with minimum fuel and had to tank ASAP

[Mayfly]

Only just caught up with this thread - and I can't see any photos????????

[Xplumberlives]

Only just caught up with this thread - and I can't see any photos????????

There are loads Pam!

[Milek]

Extraordinary Pratt & Whitney J58-P4 enginees:

[MOD]

Milek, for the love of Kelly J, please keep'em coming.

Thanks ibw