Beale AFB SR-71 / U-2 (Part 1 of 5)

[@markkirst767]

I was at Beale AFB in 1987 (about a year before this video was taken) and got to see the SR launch with some coworkers from Lockheed Missiles and Space. What a rush to see it scream past while we were standing beyond the hangers near the taxiway. The plane quickly accelerated from the end of the runway until it came past us and then the pilot pulled it almost straight up and the climb rate of this aircraft was incredible. The SR will continue to be my favorite aircraft ever. If you were able to see an SR-71 launch, you were indeed a member of a privileged group.

[@knet221]

I was born Beale AFB 1970 and graduated high school in the area in 1988 and saw this plane up close at an air show. It is IMPRESSIVE to say the least.

[@leonard5606]

I spent 4 yrs with those planes in Okinawa we had 3 in the squadron at a time it was really noisy my office was in the upstairs office area......(78-82).....glad you enjoyed the SR-71. cheers :)

[@redcapote4760]

I loved Beale. I went to 2nd grade through 5th grade from 88-92. I have never been happier than I was as a kid on Beale. It was a magical place for me. My half brother was born on Beale in 1990.

[@crestonhorton6970]

I was working as a carpenter on the new housing in early 70s. Always late for work if the plane was on the flight line.

[@billford5553]

When those J58s power up from that Buik startcart the sound is beutifull. What a great video 👍

[@1Willy1]

No start carts in 1988, already switched to compressed air my friend.

[@PatrickLipsinic]

@@1Willy1 yep, air turbine that used two bleed air hoses from a pair of air start carts. After the engine was started. They pulled the hoses and then the air turbine as you can see in the video.

[@goldenratio5117]

New of a SGT Ron Morgan out there around this time. I lived in Lake Wildwood.

[@TR6Telos]

Brilliant look into what work went on, love it.

[@teewoods9846]

9th ams / srw ... BEALE proud

[@danfreeman9079]

Great video, awesome history. 9th FMS Machinist / 85-95.

[@davidcorbett1713]

Nice video of The Black Beauty preparing for flight. Those ram jet 58s are something else sounds like a drag car race when they start up.

[@NotAnAvBoyJake]

I think the start cart are two big block race engines making 600 hp a piece . They switched over to compressed air later

[@simplystephlb]

My dad was at Beale from 1987 to 1993 with 9th FMS.

[@raymondscottbehnoud8986]

Shine On you crazy diamond.

[@Trebor-gw8lt]

An awful lot of hurry up and wait right there!

[@patricktahoe]

Thanks you a Great American

[@qasimmir7117]

And thanks to The Soviet Union for inadvertently supplying the titanium it took to build them.

[@Forensource]

There could be as many as two dozen support vehicles that followed the SR-71 to the end of the runway. It was very loud and noticeable.

[@beagle7622]

Many there for the spectacle I suspect . From videos I have seen an SR-71 Take off was very special to see, hear & feel.

[@leonard5606]

Nope there was only one launch truck and maybe one other smaller vehicle and the chase car......anyone else was spectators along the fence line..... cheers :)

[@Forensource]

@@leonard5606 I was stationed at Beale for almost 5 years - I saw plenty of takeoffs. There were at least half a dozen vehicles, not dozens, my mistake.

[@MrSanteeclaus]

I was a SP there in 71... remember them well

[@jackroderick6757]

I was there from 66 to 72. I remember seeing an SP with bullets in his ears instead of earplugs when the SR was taxing out of the shelter. That wasn't you was it? (No Joke)

[@interestingstory2498]

Rare Vdeo of SR - 71 at Beale AFB

[@roadwarror180]

wow is that gary duck?

[@MakoReactra]

Do you know 'Skip' Armand Lessard? He was a crew chief (my dad).

[@jameshowland7393]

05:33 TEB -BOOOMM

[@dogmandan79]

Not a speedy process is it?

[@charliehanna684]

The statement, "Pilot and Copilot" is false, this plane has an RSO (Reconnaissance System Operator), the RSO has no way of flying the plane.

[@timmensch3601]

Why didnt they use the cool v8 start carts?

[@charliehanna684]

The Air Turbines are just as efficient, cheaper, and a lot easier to load on the Tanker, for transporting to a recover location. The V8 start cart was very difficult to load.

[@eatcommies1375]

Aren’t TEB fumes very toxic? Cameraman just stood in the cloud of it!