Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird | New York to London in 1h 54 mins | The untouchable reconnaissance plane

[@Dronescapes]

Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes

[@donnyvii7732]

the record for NY to London is 1H 4M 20S, your title has a typo in that regard my friend

[@petergraumuller6590]

Hey there how are you doing today?

[@rudyhortelano7752]

D RUSSIAN BUILT ASCRIBE THEIR PLANE FASTER THAN US, WHY DONT D US TRANSFORM DS FASTEST PLANE THEY BUILT TO DEFEAT D RUSSIAN?

[@vinyltapelover]

DroneScapes Thanks for the upload. and I checked out your recommended link. Dang! I just subscribed.

[@valenrn8657]

SR-71's chines that allowed the removal of the planned canard idea were recycled for F-22A and F-35A/B/C. The chines also acted like leading-edge extensions.

[@michaelosgood9876]

The SR-71 was, and still is, a landmark in aviation. Speed, looks, technology-no other plane comes close. Great documentary.

[@rmendoza5953]

Possibly not true, after the SR 71 was retired something flew out of area 51 and out to and around Catalina Island and back into Area 51 setting off Earthquake sensors. The only evidence of something flying out of it was the Earthquake sensors going off. They estimate whatever flew out of Area 51 can fly at least 2,000 mph faster than the SR 71. Months before the Catalina incident something crashed and it was believed to be the replacement for the SR 71. From what the vapor trails looked like it had a pulse jet engine and the friction from it going through the air tore the skin off and it crashed.

[@michaelosgood9876]

@@rmendoza5953 wank

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

Look up the A-12.

[@nickjohnson811]

There was one other plane in the same league - the XB70. Unfortunately, it was never allowed to go past the prototype stage.

[@scottwolf2631]

nothing today rivals it Keep your stupid "stealth,toy bomber !!can'tmatch Blackbird machs!!

[@whatfreedom7]

It’s crazy that they went from propeller planes in WW2 to this with all its capabilities and speed at Mach 3.2 in just 20 years roughly.

[@MarkPentler]

we had jets in ww2 bud

[@joshua3630]

Thank those crazy Nazi scientists.

[@13christbane]

@@MarkPentler nothing like this "bud"

[@monkeyking-self-proclaimed7050]

Aliens my friend.

[@mikeatcora]

@@joshua3630 The Nazi scientists didn't invent the jet engine, it was a British inventor called Frank Whittle. The Germans built the flying bombs, the Komet, the 262 and the Arado and we were slow to the party with the Meteor, all from patented Jet engine tech. The British air ministry said no the Whittle when he showed them the engines, the Germans saw the good side and beat us in our own game, no change there then.

[@kurttuchscherer7706]

My father was a mechanic on the SR- 71. I still have memories of seeing these awesome planes flying over Beale AFB in California. Even today, still the most beautiful aircraft ever made.

[@LazyLizzy706]

Do you have any proof? :/

[@kurttuchscherer7706]

@@LazyLizzy706 who the fuck you think you are asking for proof.

[@daniel11111]

@@LazyLizzy706 he’s not gonna post his dad’s experience certificate now, would he?

[@AmigaMan500]

Did your father know a guy named Arnold Leifring? He worked on U2's as a mechanic.

[@kurttuchscherer7706]

@@AmigaMan500 I couldn't tell you. I was just a little boy then and my father passed away several years ago. It is possible because my father also worked on the U2. Especially if he was stationed in Thailand or Okinawa.

[@DianeLee999]

I was at Palmdale for the last SR71 fly over. The plane is simply an American achievement of the highest order. My father retired from the Skunkworks, and I couldn’t be more proud that he was counted among these men. 🙏🇺🇸

[@yourdaddy6030]

Palmdale come back to me.

[@DianeLee999]

@@yourdaddy6030 ??

[@StlrNtn95]

​@yourdaddy6030 Lol...I just moved from Palmdale a little over a year ago (thankfully) and remember that song. 😂

[@maxsdad538]

My business was just north of the end of the runway (by Sierra Highway), and I would often see the SR-71, B-1, B-2, the shuttle (on top of the B-747) F-117, and just about EVERYTHING that flew out of Plant 42. Fascinating as #$%^!

[@irisbaez1972]

incredible. I make a comment 11 months ago and not even a thumb up or any reply, but any stupid comment get thumb up and reply. WOW. Really the world is full of stupid.

[@AsreiMurasame]

The SR-71 was a design marvel 50 years ahead of it's time design wise. The fact it wasn't made using computers still astounds me to this day. It's a legend among the aviation community and likely will be for many years to come. It should not have existed when it was made.

[@nickthelick]

Indeed! I remember a documentary where they said all they used was a well used slide-rule! 😁

[@Maxam-vn3gu]

I bet what they are cooking up right now dwarfs this

[@joel387ktm]

We made the nuke without a computer pal this is childs play

[@irisbaez1972]

incredible. I make a comment 11 months ago and not even a thumb up or any reply, but any stupid comment get thumb up and reply. WOW. Really the world is full of stupid.

[@Bartonovich52]

Sigh… Why does this myth persist? Of course it was designed with computers. Computers were in widespread use at the time. Look up the Wikipedia article the IBM 700/7000 series mainframe computer and the title photo is at NACA (where a lot of the aerodynamic data for the Blackbird and lots of other aircraft came from). Slide rules were used for preliminary designs and checks.. not for heavy number crunching.

[@sarahkragness7138]

I'm the daughter of an aeronautical engineer who was --also-- a pilot, so I grew up in small planes and airports. When I told my dad, over a drink during his last battle with cancer, that the Blackbird was the most stunningly beautiful plane ever designed, he told me he was proud of me for having better taste and sense than some generals he knew. 8-)

[@micz8376]

i hoped your dad survived that cancer battle

[@sarahkragness7138]

@@micz8376 No, sorry, he passed on Xmas Eve 1996. Took 6 yrs to take him down though. His Quiet Birdmen buddies toasted his 'going west'.

[@sarahkragness7138]

@@bethjudie8 MUST'VE DONE A FINE JOB, NEVER HEARD OF ONE FUTZING OUT ANYWHERE. 8-)

[@fileinterrupted1787]

my grandpa invented the airplane

[@sarahkragness7138]

Sorry, dear, TEAMS of engineers and designers work on those contracts; no one person is ever credited with 'inventing' any particular model of warplane. It's a military contract, with subcontracts for various modules and sections of the craft. Dad was director of the US Army's Aviation Command in St. Louis for a number of years, I heard reams of detail on projects while I was in high school. If he worked on part of the Blackbird project, they did great work! 8-)

[@robertnagel3972]

Kelly Johnson was one of the truly great American heroes. His contribution to avionics is unmatched by anyone.

[@randymarsh9197]

Except the wright brothers.

[@GalathNox]

​@@randymarsh9197Remarkable to think that just 60 years separated the Wright brother's flight at Kitty Hawk and the maiden flight of the SR-71.

[@michaelgarrow3239]

Um,,, aviation…. 🤔

[@irisbaez1972]

incredible. I make a comment 11 months ago and not even a thumb up or any reply, but any stupid comment get thumb up and reply. WOW. Really the world is full of stupid.

[@michaelgarrow3239]

@@irisbaez1972 - I just thumb upped you. Hope you feel better. However, I don’t see a previous comment on this thread. Don’t worry about what others think. You have no control of that..

[@GeminiGem55]

WOW. I get goose bumps! My dad worked at Lockheed and he was part of the Skunkworks. He's passed now and I sure miss him.

[@Arco961]

Are you serious?

[@sarahkragness7138]

Yeah, I miss my dad too... it's been 28 yrs, and it still hurts a bit. I know I'll see him again. I'll catch up to him next run around the mulberry bush... lol. (hugs)

[@hoodedr6]

The people who created this plane are the type of people who should be famous, it’s genius.

[@mbrown7093]

When science figures out what politicians have figured out. That’s when these kinds of people will become famous and celebrated. Bill Nye and Neil Degrassi Tyson have figured it out. The rest of the science community needs to do the same. So we can get back to smart innovative thinking in America.

[@petermelnyk7664]

@@mbrown7093 lmao...Bill Nye is not a doctor nor a real scientist...he's a celebrity...and Neil is an egotistic blabber mouth that never actually answers the questions aksed of him but simply talks a bunch of nonsense..and then retorts by answering the question with another question...he never truly simply just answers a question ...nope hes a choad.

[@ztwntyn8]

@@Arturo-lapazamen brother. I celebrate himas well !!!

[@tomodonoghue3309]

People who are scientists, engineers and biochemists ,,,,,, and contribute to society for ever. Nothing compared to gobshite celebrities .

[@cuzmcc]

they are famous lol

[@pointingdog7235]

It amazes me how humble these men who flew this great feat of aviation are. I remember the first time I heard about the SR-71 as a kid and I was awe struck.

[@emphopho]

Look up Brian Schuls "Sled Driver". you'll love it!. Especially the "Speed check" at the end ;)

[@Heroo01]

Pilots tend to be really humble and respectful from what I've heard. Especially military ones. Such an awesome breed

[@mm-hl7gh]

yes.. only If you have nothing to say, you need to speak loud and much.

[@factsdonthavefeelingsbeawa2953]

@@emphopho I heard him call this story in originally to Art Bell... this perked my interest in it even more. I had a box of cards... that were 8x8 cards... that had all the various military aircraft. With photos & specs... I fell in love with the SR-71 and the B2 on those cards... especially the SR-71... just look at that beauty. Nothing today even compares to it. But it's also this aircraft that inspired the Space Shuttles Discovery, Challenger, & the other ones I can't remember the names of. I think there was 3 or 4 Space Shuttles that all looked alike.... Challenger was lost in 1986 Tragically... Discovery was the last to fly if I remember correctly?

[@hoghogwild]

@@factsdonthavefeelingsbeawa2953 Orbiter Vehicle-099 Challenger(lost 1986), OV-101-Enterprise(atmospheric flight test vehicle only), )OV-102 Columbia(lost 2003), OV-103 Discovery, OV-104 Atlantis and OV-105 Endeavour. During the 4 orbital test flights using OV-102 Columbia beginning in 1981-STS-1 through STS-4, the crew size were just 2 crew and the pilot and commander were both wearing a pressure suit called the Shuttle Ejection Escape Suit((S1030A). This pressure suit and helmet setup is a direct descendant of the A-12/TF-12A/SR-71/M-21 Blackbird family's S1030 pressure suit. The David Clark Company's suits allowed Blackbird/U2 and Space Shuttle crews to eject up to 100,000 feet altitude at speeds over Mach 3. The suits/helmet/ejection seat all worked in concert to keep the crewmembers arms and legs from flailing about during ejections. Too bad that for STS-5, after the shuttle was declared "operational", crew size increased to 4 at minimum and the crew compartment became a "shirt sleeves" environment. These suits and parachutes would have given the Challenger crew at least a chance of survival. As it were, the orbiter broke up at 58,000 ft IIRC and continued upwards to 72,000 feet before falling down to teh sea. Those altitudes do not support consciousness without PRESSURIZED oxygen supplies, which they did not have. Just the PEAPs(personal egress air packs) which were designed to allow breathing, on the ground, in smokey noxious environments. Not to supply breathable oxygen at altitude. I didnt realize Shul called in to Coast To Coast with that story, I'll have to search for it. Art Bell was awesome. BELLGAB!

[@turbotonye-4124]

I’m 43 years old and this aircraft is actually one of the reasons I joined the military. I did a report on the SR-71 in 7th grade and absolutely fell in love with it and the military. Unfortunately my grade’s were not good enough nor did I have that great 20/20 vision to land my ass in the Air Force and I ended up and infantrymen in the USMC lol just a bit different… but I still love the aircraft none the less.

[@DaOldSchoolRapLova96]

Thank you for your service

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

Thank you for your service. Much respect. 🤘

[@donnaleveron5711]

Thank you!🎉

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

The SR-71 has to be the coolest looking aircraft ever to grace the skies ! 👍

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

I kike the B-1 also.

[@Master_Mayhem_Official]

True but the B-2 is up there. Maybe even second imo

[@irisbaez1972]

incredible. I make a comment 11 months ago and not even a thumb up or any reply, but any stupid comment get thumb up and reply. WOW. Really the world is full of stupid.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

I like the B-1. A real beauty.

[@brookamos5787]

I was stationed with the Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan in 1981 and saw the Blackbird on several occasions. At least twice when it was coming in for a landing as it flew over my camp, Camp Courtney, and then a handful of times on the flight line when I drove past Kadena Air Base, which my job in the Corps required me to do. The coolest and most lasting memory was once on a trip around Kadena I stopped at the end of the runway when I had the chance to witness one take off. What an amazing experience watching that singularly impressive leviathan fly over my head up close and personal.

[@darreloutland4604]

I was there at camp kinser (Army) we bought in all the fuels for us military on island ! Even time it went up the area round Kadena came to a stop til in was out of sight! Bout 20 seconds from the time you saw the 15-20ft.blue flame afterburner light til the roar of those J58s died down...what a show!!!😎

[@abbeyoatley]

fawfwa123

[@darreloutland4604]

@@abbeyoatley?????

[@marine4lyfe85]

I was down at Kinser in 86 and got to watch it take off and go straight up in the night sky many times. It never failed to make me stop whatever I was doing and stare in awe.

[@darreloutland4604]

@scott d when you saw that afterburner you knew what it was! Early morning or at night just as impressive!😎

[@denniswalsh8476]

Totally agree that it is a piece of artwork. It still looks futuristic. I've seen it at the Smithsonian and it's far larger than I'd have ever imagined. It's a masterpiece.

[@n7565j]

I've got a pic of me with a hand on the starboard nacelle and you're right, it's HUGE!!! (This was in the late 90's b4 9-11. I think it was on display at the St Paul/Min National Gaurd Base) But I guess it had to be to hold 80,000lbs of fuel😂 Actually met Col Graham at the 03 Sun n Fun, really nice gentkeman👍

[@theoriginaldab]

I have watched this playing fly hundreds of times in and out of kadena Air Base Okinawa and the Okinawan people whenever it's coming and going stop completely on the highway and watch it come and go out of respect for the plane known there as "The Habu"... When I was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base I happened to be in Cincinnati Ohio and heard the sonic boom as the SR-71 overflew that City and that record setting flight in 1 hour 4 minute flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC... Just a couple of months later if not less I was on the west end of the runway for the Air Force museum as I was headed back to work and traffic at that end of the base was shut down as the SR-71 spent a little over an hour doing flybys and touching goes to burn off fuel and then went and did a couple of flybys of the Dayton international airport at the airport traffic control towers request so that normal 15 minute drive back to the office took me about two and a half hours but I wasn't complaining LOL I've also viewed the plane at the Warner robins Air Force Base museum as well as here at Eglin Air Force Base armament museum and driving interstate 15 up past Hill Air Force Base museum... I have also seen the A-12 in battleship Park along the US 90/98 bypass alongside interstate 10 on the east side of Mobile Alabama, then on interstate 565 just before entering Huntsville, another A-12 and the US space and rocket center in Huntsville Alabama And I'm anxious to see what the sr-73 is going to do...

[@theoriginaldab]

@@n7565j if you go on Google and search locations of SR-71 it will give you a complete list of where they are located across the country as well as where the A-12s are located... It lists and shows you on the map about 25 locations across the country and of course there weren't but about 12 or 13 sr-71s... And if you never got the opportunity to see that plane fly I tell you, you missed something... I had that pleasure in 76 through 78 on Okinawa and when it landed at the Air Force museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1990

[@davehaggerty3405]

They had one at the Air Force Museum. But then it was pressed back into service.

[@justpalms9978]

When I was a kid, I used to build model airplanes and I always bought the same scale. That way when I hung them up, all their size was relative to one another. When I built the blackbird, I thought I had bought the wrong scale because it was so big!

[@Norcalchoom]

Redding California here. I have seen this beautiful bird twice. Both at our airshow. 1st time it was a centerpiece of the show, disassembled on trucks. The 2nd time though is a childhood memory I'll never forget. A low, and a high-speed flyby. It actually looks like a missile in the air at low speed. The high-speed was incredible. The announcer said, look south here he comes, I looked, saw a black spec in the distance.. the spec grew and shot silently past the crowd and was completely out of sight when the ungodly BOOOOOM hit the crowd. They used to let the blue angels and others break the sound barrier here. You have no idea how awesome till you've been BUZZED by this scary machine..... I was 8 or 9. So loud it made me cry. And I had muffs on.

[@rickjensen2833]

Red bluff here saying hello

[@dogson1622]

Awesome story, thanks.

[@peoasdosdsdas]

I envy u, I wish that was me crying

[@Norcalchoom]

@@peoasdosdsdas they just took away our airshow because our greedy city hall wanted too much for the use of the airport and fuel. Makes me sad. But super sonic blue angels, thunderbirds and the all mighty black missile are indeed some of my most cherished memories

[@l00k4tstuff]

This presentation was all business. There are bunches of stories from the pilots from doing air shows, fly-bys, and the infamous speed check.

[@jeromebraden7364]

Saw the Blackbird up close on a couple occasions in the mid-80s in England, included from a car near the runway when one was taxiing and taking off. Looking at these videos of test flights from sunny California doesn't quite capture the dark, menacing spookiness of this plane like it does seeing it in the gloomy early evening of rural England. Also, it maybe quiet at altitude but taking off it was absolutely deafening! As an Air Force brat I was used to jet noise, but this thing was on another level.

[@maryannp.2825]

Jerome - I was stationed at Kadena’84-86. It received the nickname ‘Habu’ there. The Habu snake was the most poisonous and feared thing on the island. Also, when first deployed there, it was launched only under cover of night. So, the general civilian did not know what it was. I got to ride in the “FOD” car prior to a takeoff and stand in salute on the tarmac as it took off. Yes, the sound was tremendous. I described it as “thunders the soul”. I had many amazing opportunities during my USAF career - this was one of the most outstanding. Your dad obviously did a great job, to be part of the team! 👍🫡

[@maryannp.2825]

Oops, it obviously wasn’t you who said their dad worked with the SR. Please disregard.🤦🏻‍♀️

[@BDCF100]

Amen to that "noize" bit. Duck hunting at Gray Lodge national Wildlife Refuge one time an hour or so before dawn I heard the loudest jet roll off I ever could imagine..

[@ticoman90]

love the description of the SR prowling through gloomy English countryside...GOOSEBUMPS

[@lucky1time811]

It’s amazing how they were able to creat this at such an early age... hard to imagine what other feats they have engineered that are top secret and unknown to the general public. Hats off to the engineers!

[@shade599]

Yess...50 years old damnn

[@adrian-qr6zk]

learn to spell

[@BeKindToBirds]

@@adrian-qr6zk Why should he, he didn't need to and contributed more than you did )))

[@adrian-qr6zk]

@@BeKindToBirds i have no idea what you are talking about

[@redditor7548]

People are getting dumber and they are forgetting how to build these technical marvels as the engineers and people who made them pass away. We live in a brain drain technological dark age because tiny hats are in control and they repress the world

[@phil4986]

I've been within ten feet of one numerous times. I looked all over this magnificiently designed aircraft and it never failed to hyponotize me with numerous questions I knew I could never ask. I imagined the fuel leaking out of it before it took off and the smoking hot wing tips when it landed. I tried to guess how the engineers defeated the massive heat expansion and front edge erosion problems with the various surfaces versus the airframe where those panels were attached. How they worked out actually getting the work done in a aircraft flying so damn fast. What a gorgeously silent keeper of her own secrets. I truly envy the very few human beings who ever flew these rocketships of the sky. The SR-71- an engineering benchmark in time.

[@peoasdosdsdas]

Beautifully said

[@vinyltapelover]

Phil It was "beautifully said". You, or any of us, could "ask' the questions, it's just that they ain't giving out any answers, at least not in this lifetime or the next.:).

[@jakesock58]

One time my grandpa got hit by one

[@phil4986]

@@jakesock58 working on the ground crew?

[@jakesock58]

@@phil4986 nah in the air he was a hot air balloonists

[@acemechanical275]

I feel so privileged and fortunate to have witnessed this plane in flight. As a child living on the former KI Sawyer AFB, the SR-71 made a slow and then a fast fly by at an air show, as close as I can estimate, around 1980. What I remember about the slow flyby was how incredibly loud it was. What I remember about the fast flyby: You saw a speck in the distance, and about halfway through your thought about perceiving the speck, it whistled over the flight line. Then, what seemed like a minute later, came the shock wave and the roar. I’ll never forget it.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

I saw it at an airshow as a kid. The thing I remember most, was when they fired that thing up while it was sitting on the tarmac. The whole ground rumbled and vibrated. The shear power in those engines was nothing short of awesome.

[@H3110NU]

As I age sometimes I wonder about why we still have airshows given how many deaths occur every year. Then I remember going to them as a kid and how interested it got me in mechanical things, science and engineering etc.

[@MrPossumeyes]

I got to watch an Aussie FA18 go completely batshit at an airshow in NZ. I'll not forget it, but I so envy you your memory!

[@gregh7400]

I grew up near Beale AFB in California. During the Viet Nam War, I saw this plane all the time and of course, heard sonic booms all the time as well.

[@brianbrady4496]

Me too. I seen it in early 80s. What an awesome experience... Loud as hell too

[@NerdGasims]

When I was a kid my first ever experience with the SR-71 Blackbird was a small Matchbox toy. At the time I thought it was just a toy spaceship that looked cool, I was around four when I got that toy. A few years later I got a post from an aerial photograph of a Blackbird in flight & couldn’t believe something that looked this amazing was real. I would read books, articles, any information I could on the Blackbird was just always amazed at this incredible aircraft. I took JROTC classes in high school & on of my teachers for that class was a former crew chief for the Blackbird, I always asked him questions about the plane & his experiences working on it. I remember him telling me when seeing it take off & land was two of the most amazing things anyone can ever experience & that from talks with the pilots he worked with that flying at Mach 3 was just indescribable. I still remember going to that class in 1998, my teacher pulled me aside & asked if I heard the news, I told him what news? He told me that the Blackbird had been retired, I was dumbfounded & asked why? He told me let’s have a moment of silence for the aircraft, we did & after our moment of silence he said that aircraft is an amazing piece of engineering & that it was officially being retired because satellites were now going to be used for that purpose, & that the short retirement in the 90s didn’t count but for me to just think of the long career that the Blackbird had & the time it was designed & built just a feat of engineering. I’ve never got to see one up close but when I was in the military I was stationed in Okinawa in the early 2000s & I went to Kadena airbase to see where some of its flights took off from.

[@efrainrodriguez9550]

Yes I was station also at Kadena Air Force Base.

[@daviderhahon]

The most important quote here..... "I think one of the lessons of the SR-71 is, when you give men and women a task and you give them the authority and the resources, it's amazing what you can create. "

[@alainportant6412]

I don't think any women worked on that thing 😂😂

[@billybussey]

women do horrible things with authority

[@rocketeerPM2500]

@@alainportant6412 EXACTLY. Tell it like it is. The girls weren't there for this bird.

[@brucegelman5582]

What they can create.Give credit where credit is due

[@MrHav1k]

This will always be my all time favorite aircraft. An absolute icon and a HUGE step forward.

[@irisbaez1972]

incredible. I make a comment 11 months ago and not even a thumb up or any reply, but any stupid comment get thumb up and reply. WOW. Really the world is full of stupid.

[@UGANDAAFRICA134]

😅😅😅​@@irisbaez1972

[@stephen9892]

Kudos to all the engineers and test pilots. You can have all the money in the world but without the brains and skilled people to bring quality out of it, it becomes of little use.

[@wantabwriter]

Built it with a slide rule. Amazing!

[@charlesnelson5187]

Welcome to America today...all the money in the world but without the brains and the skilled people to bring quality out of it...

[@madiwalters3825]

I mean you could have all the brains in the world and not a dollar and it's just the same

[@tonganqueenb5517]

The world needs less money and brains and more compassion.

[@edmund6392]

@@charlesnelson5187 you have no clue the engineering marvels being developed now in the US.

[@pdionne03901]

Having seen one of these under the refueling boom while on a mission, I'm so impressed and honored to have provided support for that mission. She was beautiful, even with all of her leaks, and I would do the same mission today if able.

[@quigonjinn5349]

Leaks? Thermal expansion on the metal joints I take it?

[@cereal-killer4455]

@@quigonjinn5349 yes, apparently it leaks when on the ground. When in the air the friction causes incredible heat and expands all the seals to the correct size

[@finsterclause7184]

It must have been surreal.. you were witnessing an aircraft decades ahead of its time. People cannot imagine how fast it was because there’s no film of her flying close to the ground at max thrust.

[@peppapig9987]

@@finsterclause7184 well at refueling the sr-71 had to go to a super slow speed (sub subsonic) and the fueling plane had to go almost max speed.

[@tawolfe7709]

Cool, me too. I was at Det 1, and then Det 4, when it was cancelled.

[@cookinglikeyoumeanit3437]

Thank you to all the pilots, rso’s and engineers at skunkworks that made this masterpiece possible. From the A12 to the SR these beautiful tools contributed tremendously to the safety and freedom of America for decades. We would not be where we are today without these amazing aircraft and brave men and women that made them possible.

[@myfavoritemartian1]

Cooking? The pilot's food was wrapped in aluminum foil. When they got hungry, they would hold the package against the window to warm it up. (The windows ran at 400 F.)

[@NSGRezxii]

The SR-71 will always be my favourite plane and behind that the Harrier and Thunderbolt II. Absolutely genius engineering.

[@garryvaughan67]

Hey what and why’d we leave all that hardware in your front door and yard? Biden’s Dreams Of Total Anialation

[@frenchenstein]

For me the English Electric Lightning, SR71 a very close second😊

[@mohamedalkaboom]

Concorde

[@chhansen9813]

My favorite military plane will always be the next one!

[@thannydevitos2332]

I’ll excuse the A-10 not being on this list since it’s more of a flying gun than a plane lol

[@Rod9844]

Thank you for this video of the SR-71. One day while delivering freight to Palmdale Air Force Base..I was given the opportunity to see this plane up close and personal. Actually got to see inside the cockpit and was amazed at all the oil pans laying the length of the SR-71 and untold in the video... astronauts actually pilot this plane because of it's altitude. Beautiful aircraft and I'll cherish these memories of that day as long as I live.

[@robertdeakin2428]

I visited the SR71 at Duxford last year, beautiful aeroplane , still looks futuristic to this day, imagine people seeing it 60 years ago.

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Mistook it for a weather balloon Lol.

[@tokeutter4586]

incredible to me that this actually existed in the 60s

[@steviewonder7495]

Oh aye, it's a supersonic beast, it only landed at airports with a long enough runway. Safety was utmost, the french one crashed taking off because a mechanic left a tool on the runway when a wheel ran over the pliers they shot up straight through the wing and fuel tank and turned the Concorde in to a flying bomb.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Looks like a Sega Megadrive peripheral. Ummm...like, a real REALLY fast (and expensive) one

[@steviewonder7495]

@@thegreathadoken6808 a brit invented the first jet engine that was up to the standard to be put in to operation.

[@suetownsend1656]

This and the poor old Antonov AN-225 are my two favourite aircraft. They stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of form and function, but both beautiful to behold and a remarkable tribute to human ingenuity.

[@randemness2680]

One of my best memories as a kid was being able to see the Sr 71 and an Antov 124 at Oshkosh with my grandparents in 1989(plus the numerous years of a Concorde)just the pure greatness of feats and marvels of aviation they are

[@jimmy-et1pm]

I will swap ya the 747 for the 225:)

[@richardbias9041]

Shame an-225 was destroyed

[@robertnagel3972]

Sad news that the last remaining Antonov 225 was destroyed by the Russians in the Ukrainian war. President Zelinsky said it would be rebuilt when the time is ready.

[@Alan-in-Bama]

One thing they did not mention about the record-setting retirement flight of that particular SR-71 (on display at the Smithsonian & setting yet another record, the Fastest speed/time coast to coast) was piloted by Ed Yeilding. One of many flights he made in the Blackbird... I was lucky enough to meet him while working at the Southern Museum of Flight in B'ham, Alabama. He is an Alabama native and moved back to the same small town upon retirement. An extremely nice and humble man.

[@philipwebb960]

I went to the Air and Space Museum, and there was nothing there.

[@Alan-in-Bama]

@@philipwebb960 yeah, I’ve been there as well. The Smithsonian air & space museum encompasses several buildings and areas around DC… not just the main/original museum at the mall.

[@Finkwood]

@@philipwebb960 It may have been at the Udvar-Hazy campus in Chantilly, Virginia. Possibly in one of the hangars.

[@BroncosandPartsGarage]

It was mentioned. In this video.

[@KennethMcQueen]

If you are on Reddit for more than a week you will see the text version of that story. Copy-pasted. You can run a clock by it.

[@MaskRobloxOfficial]

I can't remember where I saw it, but I remember reading a comment that read along the lines of: "my grandad grew up in the Soviet Union military and worked in one of the jets designed to tackle the SR-71, and was there first hand to witness the sheer speed of the blackbird... and in 2005 he went to a space museum, reached out, and touched the jet and said "finally, caught you" I don't remember who said that, but that comment has never left my mind whenever I think about the SR-71

[@123bentbrent]

I saw one at an air show outside Sacramento. First, it did a slow, low altitude fly by. At first, I thought how quiet it was, but apparently, I was outside the cone of noise. Once it got closer, wow, it was incredibly loud. Then it did a high altitude fly over, on the way back home. The announcer said that if it was doing its top speed, and initiated a U turn over Sacramento, it would be over Reno before it finished it.

[@millionsofrecordsernieb7587]

If you are talking about the Rancho Murrietta show, I was there too. Do you remember the OVER THE CROWD low pass by the B-52? That was wild! And dangerous! I guess around 1982 maybe?

[@EdSmith93277]

I had the privilege and honor to work on both the SR-71 and the U-2 aircraft from about 1980 through 1990. Truly amazing technology for its time ans many experiences i will never forget.

[@Dronescapes]

Wow, Congratulations

[@aliceondrey7129]

I envy you. I turn 60 this year, and been working in IT since 40 years (as a woman ). I always wanted to become a pilot of this Kind of Planes. But having a child with 16 years, Kind of Finished that dream. So at least i wanted to be Part of aviation IT. I enden up at EADS. Not Bad. But my dream Was always to fly the böaclbird.

[@papagunit]

Very difficult not to cry throughout this. Thinking about how much of an engineering feat this is, makes me emotional. Many try to replicate such greatness today but fail.

[@JackG79]

There will never be a more dedicated group engineers than those that carried us through WW2 right on through to the days of the SR-71. These men and women of skunkwerks and beyond were nothing short of miracle workers compared to some folks all to willing to stand on the shoulders of greatness.

[@Kunfucious577]

@@JackG79 now they complain about the hours they work

[@krell2130]

"Many try to replicate such greatness today but fail." You're not wrong there. Last night I tried to build the SR-71 in my shed, but failed.

[@drumlessons833]

@@Kunfucious577 And all the illegal offensive wars and abuses of our soldiers

[@leeboy244]

Cry baby

[@jamescain6414]

I met Col. Rosenberg briefly at an aviation presentation in California. He was a very unassuming man--none of that hotshot pilot swagger, but rather just an ordinary guy. But of course he was NOT just an ordinary guy. He flew 230 combat missions in Vietnam, many of them over enemy territory. He was an instructor at the Air Force's version of the Top Gun school. He calmly dodged a missile over North Korea. He was selected to take flying legend Chuck Yeager for a ride in the SR-71, and post-Air Force, he was a captain with United Airlines. He's an example of America's finest.

[@jerrydiem7755]

I saw an SR71 on the tarmac of Kadena A.B. in Okinawa.The year was 1971.i guess it was refueling, possibly for a run over Cambodia or maybe North Vietnam.I.was blown away by it.It was, of course, heavily guarded.

[@jester1x142]

I was at Kadena AB at the same time. I was around 2 years old at that time though. The "Habu" nickname was adopted from the venomous Habu snake found on Okinawa and the neighboring Ryukyu Islands. Dad got stationed there again in the early eighties. (Mom is from Okinawa.) The SR71's hangar was located on the far side of the runway opposite the main terminal.

[@stevenwolfe7101]

I wonder what kind of mileage it gets. Probably uses a gallon of fuel every six seconds or something like that. Who can afford one?

[@BeKindToBirds]

@@stevenwolfe7101 I know it gets more fuel efficient when you fly it high and fast )))

[@romulus_]

@@stevenwolfe7101 it used up to 44,000 lbs of fuel per hour, so 730 lbs per minute. specially formulated fuel.

[@almoody7155]

@@romulus_ JP-7

[@ericdee6802]

My Father worked with Kelly Johnson on this Aircraft in Palmdale and Burbank but was primarily located in Ontario,Ca. Dad was Lockheeds highest paid Radar engineer from 1954 to 1978 with only an 8th grade education, He was self tought, the fact that Dad was an FCC licensed Ametuer Extra class Ham radio operator is pretty much how he landed the position without filling out an application, Lockheed didn't know he didn't have a diploma and somehow found that out in the 70's and made dad go back to school and get one, boy was Dad pissed!🤣

[@internetcensure5849]

Not having a diploma didn't show on his job, otherwise he would have got booted. That stupid thing to go back to school, when your career is almost done.

[@kurtbyars766]

Lmao !! That's GREAT !! My Dad in law had only a 6th or 8th grade education and was common sense WICKED SMART and a self made multi millionaire before age 40 !!! WHAT is going on with people anymore !! No one has any common sense !!!

[@ztwntyn8]

Great friggin story !!

[@ztwntyn8]

@@kurtbyars766sometimes smart is portrayed differently. I see kindness and don’t need millions. I’d like it but that’s not my prerogative or that’s what I’d do. To each their own.

[@checkraiser100]

That’s awesome to hear about. Im a lockheed engineer working on stuff right now, and working at skunk works is my dream. Self teaching myself a bunch of things to hopefully interview there some day.

[@markgenn8967]

As a child I spent six years living in North Las Vegas, Nevada near the runways of Nellis Air Force Base, during the Viet Nam war era. As the F100's and F105's etc., would take off and land. The jets were low enough that I could see the pilots and I waved as they passed. Which for me, was a very exciting experience as a young boy. Several years ago I visited the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, OR. where the SR71 is on display. It was my lucky day, as an SR71 pilot and his wife were also there at a book signing event. The pilot delivered a very informative and equally as exciting presentation. I sincerely enjoyed this detailed video documentary as well. Thank You, to all of those committed to the development of the SR71.

[@TYSONBAR123]

Hi there I'm also from Vegas born and raised nice to meet another native , but bro I can't see the pilots at all but the planes are badass iv been seeing the b1 bomber a lot because there doing the red flag Exercises right now. It's cool.

[@markgenn8967]

@@TYSONBAR123 Howdy, My address was 3787 North Lake Mead Blvd. Which is close to the runway. I also had friends whose dads were stationed on base. So, we rode our bicycles around the base. Fun and Exciting! [I cannot even believe I still remember, the address after 50 years] Perhaps the older jet cockpits were configured differently, is the reason I could see the pilots? Being on base made it close up and 'personal'. F100's and F105's are the two jets, I best remember. Thanks for your reply.

[@TYSONBAR123]

@@markgenn8967 oh no bro I'm not saying your lying I believe you but Damm how did you see them .

[@markgenn8967]

@@TYSONBAR123 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZqkiGmrab6nZ9k

[@Chuckles9191991]

Kelly Johnson was one of the most important geniuses of aviation history.

[@eac1235]

He is definitely on the Mt Rushmore of aviation legends.

[@brianjohnson6053]

Him and the skunkworks

[@kiplindsay8413]

Excellent documentary. One of my favorite all time airplanes. And my favorite for appreciation of an aircrews ability.

[@Mike_Jones281]

I drive by one of these on my way to work everyday. It's one of the coolest aircraft I have ever seen.

[@masterworksfine]

1986 in Vancouver British Columbia, sitting in my office I heard an unworldly howl rapidly increasing in intensity, I ran to my windows overlooking the harbor just in time to see the SR-71 screaming UNDER the Lion's Gate suspension bridge ...it flew past just above the water then shot up with both afterburners lit and disappeared in a few seconds. The next day I was attending the Abbotsford Airshow and there she was in all her glory. Parked on the apron surrounded by barriers dripping fuel from the wings. The attending Russians were just standing as close as they could get staring at what they had only heard about,. That Vancouver flypast was the single most impactful audio and visual event in my lifetime.

[@tommcdonald53]

I had the privilege of seeing the SR-71 when I was in the Marine corps in 1976 in Okinawa Japan, totally incredible plane, Natives called it the Habu. We had to wait for one to land before our plane took off for the states. Semper Fi

[@coldwynn]

Natives? Talk about bad word choice.

[@tommcdonald53]

@@coldwynn I wasn't being derogatory when using the word "natives" as I was referring to the people who ever they are as in habitats of the island.

[@kevinmckinney3785]

@@coldwynn Looks like you need to increase your word vocabulary. You think the word "Native" is only used uniquely to describe primitive people dancing around a fire cooking the explorer in a pot.

[@jasonablah7702]

@@kevinmckinney3785 Native Hawaiians you knob. They don't need some pasty mick trying to get outraged on their behalf lol sit down.

[@kevinmckinney3785]

@@jasonablah7702 Looks like you need to increase your reading skills. My reply was to Coldwynn Frost, not Tom McDonald....

[@ShutTheMuckUp]

It's a flyable bullet. Still the coolest plane ever made.

[@commiezombie2477]

Not cooler than the 22 or 35.

[@KernowekTim]

@@commiezombie2477 Hotter than both. Faster than both. Higher than both. The ultimate spy plane for over three decades. Nothing touches this plane for it's legacy. It was tried and proven. but yes, the F22 and the F35 are really cool planes, but as fighters they don't even come close to the mighty F15.

[@patrickmollohan3082]

The SR-71 Blackbird is the most badass plane ever conceived and built IMHO. Could fly higher and faster than anything of its kind!! In fact nothing even close was ever built!! The F-22 & F-35 are great planes that can move in ANY conceivable direction in fractions of a second!! But the SR-71 will never be equaled.🛩🛩

[@stevebonds5157]

And not made with computers.

[@commiezombie2477]

@@patrickmollohan3082 it flies high and fast. That's cool, but that's all it does really. It's a one trick pony. A really nice and fast pony. But just one trick.

[@michaelsimcox9683]

Nothing but respect for those who designed this flying technological marvel. No supercomputers, no CAD. Just paper. pencil and straight edges. Amazing!

[@corenliussulla8677]

Until today, the most beautiful plane ever built!

[@GhostDrummer]

For me, the insane fact is going from the U2 to the SR-71. When I try to wrap my head around the public known specs (we all know there’s so much they still haven’t released), it’s more than I can process.

[@Dronescapes]

🙂👍

[@Crowley9393]

It's amazing how people believe that this is the best & fastest developed in over 50 years. There is no telling what kind of craft are being used now, or how fast they are able to reach.

[@free2000]

Not exactly U2 to SR-71. Don't know why everyone leaves out the A-12, the SR-71's older brother, which the CIA's first version of this type of spy plane.

[@GhostDrummer]

@@free2000I just saw your comment. You’re correct about the A-12…most casual observers don’t know about it, so I don’t mention it.

[@betherealdeal]

I have seen a lot of vids on the SR71. This is the best one.

[@haj811]

but not the most accurate.

[@MrWilky73]

I had the pleasure of meeting and later discussing the “Habu” with Dave Fruehauf. He wouldn’t tell me everything about the Blackbird but his stories were amazing! He passed away October 2020. RIP Dave Fruehauf

[@lardawg6794]

I knew the 1st SR-71 instructor pilot that ejected with Dave Frehauf. I have pictures of the two of them together in 1967 and 2017. Robert G Sowers passed away Dec 2018. Sowers best friend of 50 years was Gen Pat Halloran . It’s awsome getting to talk to the blackbird pilots.

[@lardawg6794]

Forgot to mention Gen Pat Halloran is in this video in the yellow shirt. He helped me get information from other blackbird pilots on how the engine system worked.

[@lardawg6794]

My picture has Robert “Gray” Sowers, me and Gen Pat Halloran at the Air Force Academy in 2016.

[@MrWilky73]

@@lardawg6794 I was planning on meeting up with Dave when the pandemic cooled off. Since both of us were USAF fighter pilots, we had a lot to discuss. I hate that I didn’t get the chance for the follow up.

[@MrWilky73]

@@lardawg6794 very cool!

[@patmason7276]

My brother was in the airforce in the 80's and he got to see the black bird SR 71 one bad ass plane one of my favorite. 🇺🇲🦅🇺🇸🫡

[@ckane510]

Never actually got to see them fly ☹️ I have seen a couple up close. Stunning plane and WAY ahead of it’s time!

[@timgiraud7591]

A gorgeous machine… forged out of sheer will and determination… something we are woefully lacking today

[@diffened]

Tim G. First question that would be asked today is can we make an adequate profit, for that is all that matters, screw everything else.

[@cherryblossom3046]

I have seen this AWESOME MACHINE fly more than once at UK Airshows. Just unbelievably AWESOME, including it's final appearance in the UK (a very sad day that was for me), as are it's descendants the Stealth Fighter and Stealth Bomber, which I have also had the priviledge to see displaying and flying in the UK!! Absolutely awesome engineering/avionic/technological creations!! BRAVO ladies and gentlemen of SKUNK WORKS!! You are awesomely gifted! Thank you😁👏👍

[@KumaBean]

They never bring any of that cool stuff over to the Jersey International Air Display, although we did have a B52 flypast one year, which I just about missed and barely caught a glimpse of because we were late, as always, 😂 (Not knocking our Air Display, I think it's brilliant and my family hasn't missed it ever since we've been a family (over twenty years), bar 2021, I'd just like some stealth stuff, lol 🍻

[@stevenwolfe7101]

I do not think the Concorde flew at Mach 3 or very close to it - but I could be wrong. Passengers would not be comfortable with speed like that.

[@James-l1f8t]

I love her she is the greatest aircraft ever built ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥!

[@medievalmusiclover]

The King of the Aircrafts. Fantastic, congratulations to all the heroes who flow and fly this wonderful machine!

[@alvingill7915]

I'm

[@johnpaulbacon8320]

Just AWSOME. I get excited every time I see it. The Air Plane that the world needed and didn't even know it at the time. Guardians of Peace and Tranquility for all of mankind for all time.

[@eddykhan6672]

Guardians of peace and tranquility? My ass! Bloody warmongers

[@chouston8042]

My father was on the flight line at Eglin AFB Florida, when one flew from Calf. to Eglin in 65 min. back around 1964, Eglin has a climatic hangar for testing new planes in extreme conditions. Saw the first swing wing F111 in there as a 10 year old back in 1965. Saw one in Mobile Alabama on display last year. First I had ever seen up close.

[@cookinglikeyoumeanit3437]

The one in Mobile Alabama at the battleship is an A12. They were the first 12 built for training. We have one in Huntsville Alabama as well. Ive visited the one in Mobile several times and it never ceases to amaze.

[@gabrielnazario3974]

The McKinley climactic laboratory, they test loads of cool aircraft in there

[@hoghogwild]

@@cookinglikeyoumeanit3437 A-12s were not trainers, there was a single A-12 with dual seats that was the trainer, and it didnt even have the J58 engines, just a pair of J75s. The trainer A-12 was called the "Titanium Goose". The A-12s preceeded the dual seat 71s and were faster and flew higher. They were built specifically for the CIA and its pilots had to resign from the Air Force to fly them. They held 68,000 pounds of fuel while the Sr-71 being longer and heavier had an extra fuel tank allowing her to hold 80,000 pounds of JP-7. The A-12 was operational from March 67-March 68. It could only take pictures, while the Sr-71 and its backseater (RSO=Recon Systems Officer) could take pics AND be configured for listening to various EM emissions. 13 A-12s were built and 2 M-21s which launched the D-21 drones from its back. The M-21(M= mothership, D=daughtership) had a backseater called the LCO or Launch Control Officer). There are videos of the accident which caused the cancellation of the M-21/D-21 project. The YF-12A also had a backseater to fire the 3 air-air AIM-47 missiles it carried, they were called FCOs Fire Control Officers). The AIM-47 went on to become the AIM-54 Phoenix missile used exclusively by the F-14 Tomcat.

[@mlawrence9505]

The SR-71 Blackbird was the most advanced reconnaissance aircraft of its kind. Its air superiority was on a totally different level. Sublime.

[@DukeCannon]

Amazing what a pot of coffee, slide rule and a pack of Luckies will get you.

[@jimmy-et1pm]

Back in my college days we were the first class to use calculators. My instructor voiced his displeasure with the school's decision to make it mandatory. The beauty of the slide rule is SEEING how changing factors affect the answer...the calculator does NONE of that...just the answer.

[@Tinkey1993]

To think this was built 60 years ago is impressive, I wonder what kind of crazy plane could be in existence now with modern technology?

[@joeye]

We'll find out in 60 years. Doubt they'll release new proprietary technologies

[@BeKindToBirds]

Unfortunately the need for planes has reduced. Like a beautiful sword, things have moved on somewhat. In short, missile technology won. This, the su-29's and F-14's ... basically broadswords in history. Same with this wonderful bird. She is of an era that is gone ... aerodynamic speed and power for manned aircraft. Now it is electronic

[@lexion2772]

The "Green Lady" is nearly 20 years old. Look in to Wichita and the "Flying Dorito". Then, the RQ-180. Welcome to the Rabbit Hole.

[@BeKindToBirds]

@@lexion2772 What you did there was try to legitimize two completely bullshit things with one thing that is real. Two "alien quality" sightings don't legitimize your assertion that the 180 is born from the same programs. The 180 is absolutely nothing special at all and you have missed a lot of more serious signs because you focused on moronic evidence. Real evidence is things like the additional construction and blurred hangars on satellite images of Tonopah. Things like lockheed's vp dropping hints in 2017 they 3d printed an engine. You know, actual verifiable evidence. Not garbage speculation and blurry conspiracy blogs. Like, come on. If you are actually interested in this out some work into it and get higher than 4chan and blurry zoomed in photo level garbage ok

[@lexion2772]

@@BeKindToBirds Trying to figure out your comment. If you know the RQ-180, then you are an Engineer, and wouldn't be posting, here. "alien quality" is hilarious. And, the triangles in the photos are not blurry. Where the fuck did you come with a 4-chan connection ?

[@tippo5341]

The single most gorgeous aircraft to grace the skies of our planet!!! The epitome of aircraft design so far ahead of its time and pushing every envelope of the aeronautics industry at the time...she is one of the if not the sexiest aircraft to ever fly...speed, looks, and a holder of records which will anyone will struggle to beat...E V E R...it's one plane that if you merely mention it she conjures up all sorts of ideas of just how this beast firstly flew...and secondly how the Skunkworks came up with its design during the era it did...everything about this aircraft is astonishing...exotic and just simply awe inspiring!!!!

[@tobiasr.6903]

Respect to the pioneers 🫡 Greetings from Germany. Great work!

[@helmikureng]

Thanks for a great video I truly appreciate it. I’m a design engineer using many different CAD systems. I’m always astonished by the fact that these guys used slide rules and pencil/ink. too design such a magnificent plane. The mother of all invention is inspiration (and desperation). These engineers and pilots took invention light-years beyond. Thank you Skunkworks!!!!!

[@joelcrow]

I’ve been to the air and space museum in Virginia where they shot interviews next to this beautiful bird…it’s incredible how long and flat it is in real life…far bigger than you’d think it is!

[@jasonrushton5991]

Seen one afew time's over here in the U.K. Well done you lot ;-) Magnificent Air-Craft.

[@Norcalchoom]

One of my favorite details about it is that she's supposed to be hot. And until she gets up to speed and the skin heats up, it leaks fuel. It can't be gased up till takeoff. I remember the pilot telling me this while it was on the tarmac in pieces loaded on trucks. I was 7 or 8. The next year's show we got high and low speed passes. Looks like a missile low speed. And high-speed is just a silent "temporarily " Grey blurr. Never experienced a sonic boom like the one this unicorn produces. Regular fighters @supersonic produce a whisper compared to sr71.

[@vinyltapelover]

@@jasonrushton5991 It may not be a super fast mover like the 71 but your Vulcan is a beautiful aircraft to watch in flight. The first time I saw it I was stationed at DMA AFB. It appeared at an air show, there, doing a low speed fly by, looking like a gigantic manta ray in flight. So, a "well done" back at you.:).

[@jasonrushton5991]

@@vinyltapelover Thank's vinyl, glad you got to see it. ;-)

[@jasonrushton5991]

The Vulcan & Lightning Fighter Jet, my fav 2 British Air-Craft. Seen both many time's in the 70's at Air-Shows here in U.K. Usually R.A.F. IWM Duxford.

[@adamplona9438]

Plus if you consider how old (when they made it) the Blackbird is, you have to give it a lot more credit. Sweet aircraft!

[@alanoverton4304]

All the best for the future Steve. Cannot wait for the next chapter.

[@artiemedley9369]

I live in Las Vegas. My Dad woke me up one morning, I'm guessing around 3:00. I figured he was talking me fishing although I had expressed zero interest in going. I fell back asleep in the truck on the way to what I presumed was the lake. My Dad nudged me awake as we entered the back gate of Nellis AFB. I was still groggy and had no idea why we were stopping at the base. Suddenly, my Dad pulled over to the side of the road and said, "C'mon, we won't have much time." I got out, and he grabs my shoulders and aims my body at a hangar. The nose of an SR-71 was poking out of the entrance of the hangar. No sooner did I see that when an MP Jeep pulled in front of our truck. The main was quick to the point, but pleasant..."You can't stop here." My Dad explained that he just wanted to show me my favorite plane as he saluted my Dad and we got back into the truck and headed home. The entire viewing lasted maybe a minute and a half, lol, but it's still the fondest memory I have with my father.

[@Dronescapes]

🤩🙂♥️

[@thanosdoomjuggernaut2846]

That is so freaking awesome.

[@rogwarrior]

I love this bird! I have loved it since I first laid eyes on it. It is not only beautiful it has amazing abilities. Truly ahead of it's time. It is certainly is a feat of our ingenuity. To retire it was a shame.

[@stonehaven2289]

NASA still uses the SR71

[@johnhenthorne4463]

I first saw the SR71 on a model airplane box. Seeing that black dagger shape with the two huge jet engines, I knew that it would cut through the air. The thrill of seeing that magnificent and powerful bird has never left.

[@mbeecher9921]

The most beautiful craft man has yet created.

[@smitboraniya6752]

This is the best documentry ever. The aircraft was truely an engineering marvel.

[@ginadivine1841]

I agree the best documentary !!! God Bless America !!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@sylversyrfer6894]

Hands down THE most amazing airplane EVER made. Period.

[@maplesyrup2748]

ah no?, maybe for it's role as a spy plane but it would certainly suck as a passenger jet and would certainly suck in so many other roles that there are far more capable aircraft.

[@WolfHowl71]

I had the privilege of being around this plane and witnessing it's flight. Such a stunning machine both on the ground and in the air. A moment I will take with me to the grave is when the pilots flew low over us, near the hangar they'd just left from, feeling the roaring vibration through your core. THAT was awesome power.

[@tnargdonald]

Talent and diligence made this possible. Those engineers behind the scenes need their own awards.

[@unkameatgoodbar2315]

Skunkworks productions, made some helluva aircraft,p38,sr71,f117 wobbly goblin

[@USAR8888]

Incredible to think that just 20 or so years prior in WW2 jet propulsion was barely yet known, and some countries were still flying bi-planes, in the early days of the war anyway. WW2 and the Cold War really advanced technology at an astounding rate.

[@user-wq7jj9zr9r]

I remember being in the 5th grade and my parents bought me small replica of the SR71 (Matchbox size) back in 68 or so. I was bummed because I thought they put the vertical tail pieces on wrong. I was like "What the hell, can't they glue these things on upright?" A few years later, I got to watch one at Andrews do it's start up from about 150 feet away and then takeoff. They took off, circled around and came down the runway for a low pass, kicked the nose up a bit and it was gone.

[@chuckliebenauer3656]

This was a great video. Thank you to the men and women who made this plane possible. God bless America!

[@EEinstein100]

The explanation of its engineering transcends beyond my imagination. I don't normally make comments but I cant help it after fully watching this documentary about such a profound technology as the SR-71. Tears of of joy and excitement just rolling down my cheeks from a statement of SR-71 ''You cant get us, we are here, we are watching you'' . Love it

[@Dronescapes]

👍♥️🙏

[@buddystewart2020]

The best looking jet ever.

[@newyorknight]

I've seen them in the flight hanger, and taking off in the 1980s. At Beale Air force base in California. Truly a fantastic plane to behold.

[@haraldpettersen3649]

New York Night - I have to honestly admit that I'm a little jealous of you, not really just a little either 🧐

[@Cichlids23]

Sickest plane in the history of mankind!!! I had the poster of it up on my wall as a child, should have kept it...

[@michaeltheoret8913]

What a great Video ! I remember back in the Summer of 1989 seeing the Blackbird along with a KC- 135 Stratotanker doing Refueling Operations . I happened to be outside working at my Neighbor's Farm when I heard an unusual deep rumble of a jet ( or two in this case) . I looked up and almost directly overhead I could clearly see the Stratotanker that basically looked like an airliner but with a long protrusion aft of the Plane ,that protrusion being the refueling boom . Flying under the Stratotanker was the SR - 71 Blackbird . As soon as the SR - 71 was done taking on fuel ,It dropped down slightly banked away from the Stratotanker ,and in a thunderous roar pitched nose up and was gone leaving the KC - 135 lumbering along alone. The whole operation lasted maybe 15-20 seconds or so . Pretty sweet spectacle for sure ! Not sure if the normal flight path of the Blackbird took it over Northwestern Vermont ( USA) typically, but that time the flight path did.

[@Ya-average-11B]

I’ve watched numerous docs on this aircraft and not once did I hear about it being called the A12 nor the RS/SR mix up. Outstanding video!

[@Dukenukem]

A-12 is different plane operated by CIA instead of Military. they are both excelent and come from the same project, but in the end are 2 different airplanes

[@kevinweinberger8446]

The reason it was called the A12 was it at first was built for the CIA. Then the air force’s wanted it. They modified it a bit and called it the RS-71 but President Johnson screwed up and called it by mistake SR-71 and from there on the name stuck.

[@timb8095]

Pretty cool story about the development of the A12 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3jHqaOnpth7opo

[@assuredaviation9116]

It was supposed to be called RS, but the president screw up and said SR, so the CIA ran with it

[@boburwell9921]

Tha A12 was a much smaller single seat version. Same power but half the size. These planes were acknowledged they could exceed Mach 3 but why does the Mach meter in these planes exceed Mach 18?? Fact they left earths atmosphere. Or was that Hitlers Silverbird? Or are they one in the same?

[@Mattsta2010]

Its crazy that the U2 is still operational. 66 years in service!

[@stevennagley3407]

It’s a small leap pilots train in for introduction into space flight and also cybersecurity

[@stevennagley3407]

Also, environmental and atmospheric researchers

[@afantini1]

I keep watching the SR 71 videos and amazes me all the time. The Pilots were heroes and now legends flying the (still) fasted airplane ever built.

[@timothydavis5261]

To think they didn't have fast computers, but slide rulers, pencils back then to make an aircraft that still holds speed records, awesome, simply awsome.

[@Bartonovich52]

They had computers. IBM 700/7000 mainframes. If they had to use slide rules they would still be trying to design it to this day.

[@octane2099]

This is the best sr-71 documentary I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen many

[@HandFromCoffin]

Ya great job DroneScape for making it! You sure do make some great documentaries.

[@geraldvandewal5788]

I grew up at Beale AFB, California in the 70's. New crews that maintained the aircraft, cameras, flight prep, & flew this bird. It was amazing being right there in the hangers 1st hand experience. Had some good connections and will never forget how fortunate I was. Truly one of a kind HABU.

[@redcapote4760]

Grew up on Beale from 88-92. Special place.

[@geraldvandewal5788]

Yes it was amazing. Still have 6 close friends of 50 years from that base. We all had great parents, make no mistake we knew all the SP . They were great people.

[@colindebourg9012]

Many years ago i was driving round the lanes at the back of RAF Wattisham Suffolk near where I live, and there was a roar and 2 Blackbirds one behind the other took off, climbed steeply, and were gone in seconds, I've never forgotten the spectacle.

[@MMMMM-v5m]

The Blackbird was an incredible piece of art, that just happened to be able to fly! Kudos to Kelly Johnson and designers and engineers.!!

[@JamesDAdams-nl1qd]

Used to fly over Western Montana, based out of Great falls the Sonic booms were unbelievable, never forget them! What an incredible plane! American technology at its finest.

[@MMACHMP]

My stepdad worked on the SR71 out of Beale AFB in Northern California he once told me when I asked how fast was it really and he told me that they had a flight depart Beale and was landing at McDill AFB in Tampa Florida 30 minutes later.

[@whatsreal7506]

Designed and built without computers. That is engineering at its best! Kelly Johnson at his best!

[@elmerfudpucker3204]

I was fortunate to have served in SAC, being stationed at Castle AFB, Ca., while one of my best friends before the service wound up serving at Beale, as a crew chief on the mighty SR-71. I got the grand tour of everything and everyone that it took to carry out missions with them. it was awe inspiring at the time, and the memories of it over 30 years later today, just get better with every instance. Not to shabby for a couple pimple faced kids that grew up in the rural mountains of Georgia. He got the same attention from myself, as I led him around the B-52 operations. neither of us realized at the time, just what an important role in the history of defending this great nation our small parts played.

[@morebeer4435]

I was a weapons loader on the B-52 from 93-97 at Barksdale AFB, LA. It was such a great time in my life. It is something I will never forget. To reiterate, NOTHING compares to our military. When we would generate during our war games, and you look down the flightline at all the firepower on the ground, you realize why we are the best and will always be the best. They need to quit fucking around with the Russia/Ukraine crap and go make a few carpet bomb runs to remind Russia whos got the bigger set of nutz. Nothing puts the fear in men like the B-52. Awesome airplane. Cheers.

[@tomlepski8306]

In August 1984,my cousin and I flew an SR71 from Beale Air Force Base to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. We hit 85,000 feet at Mach 3.9 before landing at RAF Fairford to take a leak then took off for a Mach 3.8 flight to Laikipia Fighter Base in Nanyuki, Kenya. We landed to loud applause from Kenya Air Force personnel,that's the minute I awoke from my super duper dream on a Bed in an Eastlands Estate in Nairobi, Kenya. I had been reading Frederick Forsythe's THE DEVILS ALTERNATIVE paperback thriller and had just gotten to the chapter where a Captain O'sullivan flew a Blackbird to Moscow. What a dream that was :) :) :) :}

[@Dronescapes]

👍😉

[@growalnuts9880]

Your dreams were accurate. Pilots exclaim the 71 could reach mach 3.6, with J58 s working well

[@dirkkorpershoek92]

O man, sr-71 is my overall favorite. So amazing it’s 50 years later still the fastest

[@ASMRTriggerMan]

I live is SoCal and was driving to Las Vegas, I can 100% say i seen the SR-71 flying in Mojave desert close to Lenwood California in June of 2021, many people in that area seen it and said "OMG its the Black Bird" I was in a truck wash. it was awesome!! summer of 2021 guys, SR-71 is still flying.

[@ualdrivr]

Amazing aircraft, amazing engineering. One of the most brilliant, out of the box thinking creations of aeronautical engineer, Kelly Johnson. The SR-71 Blackbird demands respect every time you see it. Go to the Aviation Smithsonian Museum by Dulles Airport at the approach end of Rwy 01R and take a look at the bird, you won't regret it. It's fantastic. The whole place is fantastic.

[@GM8101PHX]

You can also see one up close at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona out on Valencia Road south of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base!!

[@renb2]

Best collection of aircraft (including an SR-71 and the only XB-70) is the USAF Museum in Dayton. From the Wright Flyer to the F-22 and everything in between. They also have a great WWII collection including quite a few German aircraft.