Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - BC Thomas (Part 3)

[@Dan-qp1el]

So glad somebody is getting men like these on film. This is a treasure, thank you Steve!

[@williamloh9018]

Thanks for the cool videos... Good to hear the attitude and T-37 stuff...cautionary tales for any pilots out there. It can happen to anyone. My Dad flew the KC-135Q out of McCoy and Warner Robins '66 to '71. Also in Guam twice...and B-52s in combat.

[@dutchbrotherfan1284]

That Foxhound would give me some concerns. I remember pulling off a target after dropping Napalm I was hit several times in my F-105 and thinking , well this is it! It was my dad, he was pissed cause I was setting fires with my 1/72 Monogram F-105D, I was probably 12 years old at the time...Still get night sweats from that incident. Someday I will share my getting lost in the fog flying my B-58 at night.

[@rdubb77]

I've watched the interviews with Graham and Rosenberg and Murray countless times and love them, what I love about Thomas is how truly zen-like he is, he just exudes intelligence and concentration. It's easy to see how he became a legend among legends (operational SR pilots).

[@Aussie1276]

I could (and have) listen to BC tells his stories about the SR 71 for hours. One of my favourite pilots (and this is from someone who cannot stand flying!!)

[@ArktikosAdventures]

Love the Norway story. I worked as a contractor for the Norwegian Air Force maintaining their F-16's in Bodø for quite a few years, the same base BC is talking about here. A couple of the old-timers I worked under remember the "incident" well and talked about it with great enthusiasm. There were quite a few pictures in the squadron scrap-book too as well as framed newspapers like the ones held in the thumbnail of this vid. We even got a tour of the underground facilities he was talking about and yes, it was as impressive as he says. Unfortunately, the base has been closed this year making way for the movement of the entire airfield 1 km south of its current location. This will likely wipe out most of the infrastructure and with it some history. Luckily, the underground hangars he mentions will be preserved as part of the aviation museum. Also, this was the first landing of the SR-71 in Bodø but not the last. There were a total of 4 in Bodø, I think.

[@10percenttrue]

Cool insight. Thanks for sharing.

[@-theflea-4561]

B.C. gives an amazing insight into the SR-71 era. I love the anecdotes of Korea, Cuba and Norway and the Reagan attitude of letting them get the job done. Looking forward to more. 👍 keep up the great work!

[@10percenttrue]

Cheers, The Flea. It was also interesting to note that someone was always watching them. The way that BC said it made me think that it was more than just watching them for the purposes of making sure that they were OK!

[@-theflea-4561]

@@10percenttrue Given that in the previous interview he said that the phones and people were also monitored on base, the trust was high for those guys, but the oversight was even higher. 😎😎

[@KernowekTim]

As a fifteen-years old Cornish boy, I can clearly re-call when the SR71 was about to over-fly our farm. The cock pheasants, within ear-shot, would all "Kau - Kauk!", in unison......followed shortly there-after by the "Buhm - BOOOM!". I remember asking my Pappy what was making that noise. He'd just answer, " Oh, they're firing-out a bench up the quarry m'boy"......Yeh...right. If that were true we'd have granite landing on us.

[@Mr_London_247]

Interesting to hear BC talk of ‘seeing contrails’ (but never an aircraft) and apparently having little concern for that as he was busy in the cockpit! - crews must really have felt nearly invulnerable flying the SR - another great interview 👍🏻

[@10percenttrue]

Agreed, Kevin. He seemed very non-plussed! I am going to reattack the question in our final interview, and will ask specifically about FOXBAT and FOXHOUND!

[@Mr_London_247]

@@10percenttrue Excellent, a lot of faith in that classified ECM suite too perhaps? - thanks Steve!

[@tedzehnder961]

These are going to be rare some day so it is disappointing that the sound quality is garbled. wonder if they can be cleaned up somehow.

[@alexnutcasio936]

I’m curious as to “ theoretical” top speed of the bird. BC says it was more a heat limit than a power limit. Surely 2,200 mph was not the power limit.

[@rdubb77]

I’ve read it could power up to Mach 4, but the engines would definitely be shredded by then as it would be way over its material heat limit

[@29LiveZ]

What's the story with the blue plaque over his shoulder? Looks intriguing.

[@bcthomas2h90]

The blue plaque was given to me when I was reassigned from the 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (1SRS) at Beale AFB to Edwards AFB to be the operational test pilot for the SR-71 in June 1984. The other plaque was given to me when I graduated from the United States Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) at Edwards AFB in December 1973.

[@29LiveZ]

@@bcthomas2h90 Wow. I'd keep them near and dear as you do! Congratulations on one helluva run, Mr. Thomas. Thank you for busting your butt to accomplish your goals in the pursuit of excellence. Thank you for your tenacity to keep digging. Thank you for becoming a precise and professional piece of my America.