Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

The Lockheed SR-71 was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft by the Lockheed Skunk Works. The SR-71 was unofficially named the Blackbird, and called the Habu by its crews. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the design's innovative concepts. A defensive feature of the aircraft was its high speed and operating altitude, whereby, if a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, standard evasive action was simply to accelerate. The SR-71 line was in service from 1964 to 1998, with 12 of the 32 aircraft being destroyed in accidents, though none were lost to enemy action.

[@tnobody9679]

I lived on the island of Okinawa, Japan. 85' to '88 There were two of these at Kadena AFB. The whole island would shake when these beauties took off. It was very impressive.

[@usmc-veteran7316]

Back in Aug 74-Sep75, I was stationed down at Camp Foster and I remember when the SR-71 flew over Camp Foster, when it left Kadena AFB....amazing.

[@SanjanaRanasingha]

@@usmc-veteran7316 back in 1975 I was stationed in Sri Lanka at North Central Province where these beauties usually took off ! What a sight

[@robertgalloup6171]

The Habu

[@eodmax]

I was TDY 179 days to Kadena in 70 to support the B-52 with the 400th MMS(T). Back then when the SR was about to launch they would do a FOD walk up the taxiway the aircraft would taxi to end of runway and turn and burn. We couldn't take pictures but there were groups of Okinawans outside the base taking photos. I returned to Kadena 84-88 and by then the SR was not as secret so it would taxi out to end of runway and go through pre-flight checks we were still not authorized to take pictures lol.

[@brandonolson6111]

Brian Shul tells a story about flying it out of Kadena, tucking the gear 10 feet of the deck and going full burner out over officers learning to wind surf 😆

[@emsafeman]

I got to see a SR 71 take off while I was stationed at NAS Miramar. One of the most awesome aircraft ever made.

[@ronmounts8075]

I seen it takeoff at NAS Fallon to!!!! Flew about 200 feet above my car going to work one evening!!!! Unbelievable!!!!!

[@mursuka80]

Most impressive thing is, that this marvel of engineering was designed without computers and it is still great in todays standards.

[@rogerkumar4424]

Think total cost was $35M each...or $350M todays value. Amazing how much waste and bullshit waste and pork in our budgets now....that's the most amazing thing.....

[@maudiojunky]

They most certainly had computers. The SR71 was likely designed using a Fortran program running on an IBM 7090 given the 1964 debut of the plane. Sure, they didn't have Wolfram, but doing the calculus by hand is hardly the laborious part of optimizing a design like this.

[@mediagamer7225]

I wonder what the Wright Bros. would think if they were pulled out of time and saw this plane.

[@battleoid2411]

Damn thats fast as fuck

[@tylerrudolph4297]

Aliens run!!!!!

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

They would die. They would probably literally die from cardiac arrest.

[@kevinkarg4464]

They would wonder what distant planet that spaceship came from.

[@58jharris]

Orville Wright lived long enough to witness B-29's dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. Think he was imagining that in 1903?

[@ClassicRando87]

I read that when the SR71 was retired they flew one to the aviation museum. On it's way it broke several aviation speed records set previous by itself. The records still officially stand to this day. They dont build em like that anymore

[@jameswill175]

Sure they do, it's classified.

[@1stfeather]

I saw this amazing plane last year at the museum in Dayton Ohio. It's next to a stealth, another incredible plane.

[@steveo5763]

I was working out at Rockwell in Palmdale when that plane took off. My tools were rattling and I thought what kind of plane makes this much noise. I looked over the parapet wall and watched the blackbird lifting off the runway, it pitched up and then roar was deafening and in a few seconds was gone. I was told that was being flow to the museum and was the last one flying. It was great to watch but sad to see.

[@Astyrical]

james will They don’t exactly need planes like these anymore, now that satellites exist. Why would you make a plane that goes Mach 3, when missiles can go Mach 6? Not saying the government doesn’t have any secret projects, but none of them are certainly in making a manned plane besides the SR-72.

[@mrpixiledd2489]

No need to really. Got missiles and satellites to do this kinda work

[@SeanP7195]

Gear heads, Engineers, mechanics, Physicists, and everyone in between needs to bow to this craft every morning.

[@fragmaka]

and the Mig 25 Foxbat

[@NisseOhlsen]

+Bepe Gabianni (George) for trying, but not succeeding in shooting down te Bkackbird

[@fragmaka]

thats somewhat that when the yanks knew Foxbats were relocated...they stayed well enough away is what I read

[@SeanP7195]

Bepe Gabianni Sure they did. Sigh.....

[@WranglerSlim]

Bepe Gabianni Our avoidance of the Mig Foxbat was just because we had other reconnaissance technology online that did the job well enough to where it wasn’t worth risking an encounter just to get slightly better recon photos.

[@owen7185]

I'm still in total awe of this plane. if you told a young person today how many years ago this plane started to fly they wouldn't believe you, because this plane looks like its from the future not the past, and its altitude and speed is legendary. The materials in the frame...if this is what they did then..... wtf have they got today?? Skunkworks one in a lifetime crew of geniuses

[@stevenbrown6079]

I mostly agree with you. I think there are people still who think outside the container. The B2 that can carry so much and not be seen. The f-117 and who knows what is in the works now. My biggest problem with things with wings is how the cost is going so high we will be able to field 6 when you need 300'

[@justforever96]

They are still making hypersonic stuff. They are just mostly unmanned drones. The need for planes like this disappeared when they got satellites and now drones. We don't need any Mach 3 recon planes, they arent worth the expense and would be be safe from modern sam systens anyway. Not that we _can't_ build jets like this, we have no requirement for a jet like this. And when we did, we already had this one. So why would they develop a new one?

[@Istandby666]

​@@justforever96 We don't need another SR because drones and stealth. Now planes just loiter up there collecting data without being detected.

[@Istandby666]

​​@@stevenbrown6079 From 1984 to 1992, we were at Edwards Air Force Base. My biological father worked at Edwards Air Force Base and Groom Lake aka Area 51, on all these Above Top Secret Government Black Programs. From the F-117, the YF-23, Orca, the YF-118G(bird of Prey),the B2, the B-53(Ghost Buster), Grease Lightning, and other crafts not released to the public to this day. Most of the things I see today, is what was being worked on back then.

[@cahg3871]

And it was designed using a slide ruler,no computer simulation were available.👍✌️

[@ronniefranks4351]

I was stationed at Beale AFB in the early eighties. Never tired of seeing the SR71 and U2 fly. It was a sight to behold.

[@dennisdahn4042]

I was there in 68 and 69

[@mcbrida]

@@dennisdahn4042 87-90

[@Blkojo]

My dad was the first man to command each wing....the U-2 wing (4080th SRW) and the SR-71 wing (4200th SRW back then). Retired as a brigadier general. Loooong time ago!

[@geraldvandewal5788]

I grew up at Beale as a dependent from 73--78. Awesome days you would hear sonic booms all the time. Seen the SR & U2 many times. My friends dads worked with these aircraft. Everything was somewhat classified back then, but we managed to get on the flight line now and then. Pretty cool stuff.

[@atticratfd]

@@dennisdahn4042 my father worked on the SR71 at Beale Dec 66-79 and I was born at Beale Hospital in 67. Later I worked on the ground equipment for the blackbird in 1986. I ❤that plane

[@musiclover3928]

The SR-71 is a masterpiece of aviation. Even today, it remains the most incredible aircraft ever built. Not to mention all the records that it still holds.

[@georgestokes5116]

and where do the stupidjerks put aplane like this in a museum

[@pspboy7]

So technically, flying the SR-71 is like flying a space mission.

[@samsignorelli]

Once you get above the Armstrong Limit at around 63kft, it's about the same environment anyway.

[@topfitnessssss]

Pretty much yes. These pilots were scientists and astronautes ..

[@WranglerSlim]

NASA was given three SR-71s to use for their research projects, and they flew them well into the 1990s. The space suits that astronauts wear were originally designed for SR-71 pilots, since ejecting at Mach 3 on the edge of space would instantly kill a pilot, both by explosive decompression and by aerodynamic friction instantly heating the pilot’s body up to 400 degrees or more.

[@howardbranconier9412]

Nope. Close tho. :)

[@brandonmoore8998]

@@WranglerSlim NASA orginally flew Y-12s ....not 71s ....... fun fact

[@jg77northeast36]

The fuel leaking out of the tanks while waiting for take off is insane. This was over four decades ago. Imagined the classified aircraft that exist in secret today..

[@zacm9747]

Explains UFOs maybe? 🤔

[@rhone81]

For at least the past 30 years there's been rumours of a successor to the SR-71, codenamed "Aurora". Given the usual timeline of these aircraft (SR-71; B-2; F-117A) going from being secret to flying airshows and Superbowls, I think we're past the point of a new aircraft being revealed to the public. I think satellite and drone technology has removed the need to have a Mach 3+ stealth aircraft unfortunately.

[@derkaturka]

It's called anti matter technology, Bob Lazar's story has slowly but surely(as more and more info is becoming released) telling us is real, and he was there doing it. Problem is, oil/coal industry doesn't want to let go of it's profit.

[@jackieeastom8758]

And here we are in 2021 and we have sold our secrets to the highest bidder!

[@derkaturka]

@@jackieeastom8758 Thank dictator trumpybutt for that. Because he's was making a "good deal." Palm to face.

[@KITLEVEY]

Kelly Johnson remains the Grand and Exalted High Wizard of engineering in his time. He had some of the best and most creative engineering masters with him at the time but in the end they were all 'students of possibilities' under Kelly Johnson.

[@nam-eg7fr]

All hail the Skunk works!

[@Zeeeemonolith]

It's truly one of the most majestic machines of all time.

[@TheZoomerica]

They made this thing in the 50s...with slide rules and an abacus, this is still possibly one of mankinds greatest engineering feats....it still staggers me to this day, and I literally grew up with it...amazing.

[@homa7289]

Hi

[@mahavakyas002]

imagine what they have now if this was built in the 50s.

[@jamesborden4805]

U2 was 50's. This was early 60's,dummy.

[@justinpenn6931]

A blackbird landed at our Air Force base under emergency conditions roughly 1978 in the continental US. A crew was sent from California to fix it and be able to start it up when it was ready to leave. We weren’t allowed to go into the cockpit but we were allowed to walk around the plane so close you could touch it. It was leaking like you wouldn’t believe - that was normal - as said in the video the plane skin stretched once they reached speed. To start the plane, they had 2 Mickey Thompson fully blown Buick 455 engines connected in tandem to one transmission that connected to the plane to force it to spin up. The Mickey Thompson’s only had hooker headers and no muffler and were the loudest object I have ever heard. Even being 100 yards away with ear protection it was louder than any plane we ever had on base. Just about everyone was on the flight line when the plane finally left. The pilot took off in what looked like a normal takeoff - all eyes were on the plane as it oddly went in a large circle in the valley to head back to base runway at a fast speed and when it got over to the center of the runway - and not very high in the sky - the plane went straight up close to 90 degree climb until it was so small we could no longer see it with the naked eye. We were told it’s flight path was straight up then coast down to its home base in California.

[@SamBrickell]

That's really cool, I'm surprised (but happy for your sake) that they let you see it so close. (I heard a story before about a U2 plane making an emergency landing at a different airbase while it was still classified and they made everyone who wasn't directly involved with it confine themselves to their barracks until it was wheeled into a hangar.)

[@junkmonkey9859]

They first used pair of Buick 425 C.I. Wildcat 445 "nailheads" in the AG-330 start cart. (445 was the torque rating Buick used instead of cubic inches in their engine designations) Later they used 454 Chevy engines as the older Buick engines were getting hard to source. But the Buicks provided more torque. (445 lbf-ft each) Normal built engines. Not blown, and no Micky Thompson BS. USAF, ret.

[@justinpenn9250]

@@junkmonkey9859 “The book I have on the development of the SR-71 (written by Rich and Johnson) mentions these start carts. Apparently they spun up the engines with a driveshaft coming from the power car into the bottom of the engine. Book says Mickey Thompson built the engines for the power carts. Also, on the 455, remember the nailheads had their designation on the air cleaner in torque output, not displacement. I can see how people might think it was a 455.”

[@justinpenn9250]

@@junkmonkey9859 Start cart trivia ( that is not necessarily needed for the article ): Lockheed needed powerful automotive engines that would produce low end torque levels high enough to rapidly spool up a J-58. Allegedly, the Lockheed person who was responsible for the start cart design had worked with Mickey Thompson, a prominent drag car builder of the time, who used "hopped-up" Buick Wildcat engines and his familiarity with them brought them into the start cart baseline. Blackbird maintainers would open an access port on the bottom of the J-58 nacelle exposing a female gear connection that the top male gear end of the start cart connecting shaft would rise up and connect with for a gear to gear J-58 spin-up. As years of operation went on, obtaining spare parts for the Buicks became more difficult and eventually, Chevy 454's were substituted in the start carts due to their ease of spare parts availabilities. Finally in the 1980's, a pneumatic system ( to spool up the J-58 prior to a TEB shot ) was developed that would plug into the J-58 when the Bird was at a main operating base so equipped. Start carts remained in the inventory however, and would be carried aboard a JP-7 carrying KC-135Q that was dispatched with a recovery maintenance crew whenever a Blackbird had to land "away from home", as standard Air Force Bases or civilian airfields had no equipments for starting a Blackbird. (Quote from Wikipedia)

[@junkmonkey9859]

@@justinpenn9250 the air cleaners were 445 and the Super Wildcat was 465 (dual quads). There was never a nailhead with a 455 torque rating, but the Buick Big Block did have a 455 CI in 1970, and was the last Big Block used in GM cars. I have a 2x4 nailhead in one car, and a BBB in another. Been driving Buicks since the 70s. When the start carts were created, the nailhead was the only engine that produced as much torque at 2800 RPM, and had a long flat curve that could sustain the time to spool up the J58. Frank and his son, Arlen Kurtis were the contracted builders for the AG-330 carts. Mickey Thompson used KK engines, and that might be how he is connected to the history. My family was involved in SoCal racing scene, and knew most of the people in the history books. There's what actually happened and "stories".

[@dankoehler6055]

I was fortunate enough to have been hired by Lockheed at Beale AFB after obtaining a secret security clearance in late 1967. Initially I assisted two Lockheed tech reps process SR-71 Flight Data Recorder tapes and later worked directly with the Lockheed Field Support engineers basically assisting them with whatever they needed. I saw literally 100's of SR-71 takeoffs, landings and aircraft in flight. I saw an SR-71 inflight refueling fly by during an airshow at Beale, and I actually sat in the cockpit of SR-71 tail number 17964. Two SR-71's were lost during my time at Beale. In Jan. 1968, aircraft 17957, one of two SR-71B model trainers, lost a generator about a thousand miles from Beale and was being nursed back home when it suffered a loss of both engines only 6 miles from Beale. Both crew members ejected safely and the aircraft crashed in an open field. This crash was a major blow to the program because it left only one trainer, tail number 17956, in the entire SR-71 fleet. The concern was that if trainer 17956 were somehow lost, the program would be severely jeopardized. The B model trainers had two cockpits, one for a student pilot and one for an instructor pilot and the aircraft could be flown from either cockpit. The B model SR-71 was not a reconnaissance aircraft, it was used only to train pilots. The A model SR-71's also had two cockpits, one for the pilot and one for the Reconnaissance Systems Officer and were the SR-71's that flew actual reconnaissance missions. SR-71 tail number 17977 crashed on takeoff in October 1968. I was watching that takeoff from the Lockheed Field Support main office window and witnessed the crash. I later learned the details. 977 had a wheel disintegrate during the takeoff roll. Debris punctured the fuel tank and set the rear of the aircraft on fire with a massive flame trailing the aircraft. The aircraft was near takeoff speed of 200 mph and the brakes and drag chute failed as a result of the fire. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway the RSO ejected. The pilot stayed with the aircraft. A cable at the end of the runway intended to slow runaway aircraft tore the landing gear off and 977 slid on it's belly for about a 1/4 mile before coming to rest in an open field. Emergency crews assisted the pilot out of the aircraft and both crew members escaped in good shape.

[@fulccrum2324]

as a highschooler, I am unfortunately unable to have experienced what you have, thank you for the information

[@dankoehler6055]

@@fulccrum2324 You're welcome. I remember the first time I walked into the building where we processed the SR-71 flight tapes. There was a large status board with every SR-71 stationed at Beale listed with it's current status. I recall seeing that 4 or 5 of them were shown with a status of IRAN. I asked one of the Tech Rep's why we had SR-71's in IRAN. He chuckled and replied that IRAN stood for "In Repair As Necessary". Another time I ran across a revision to the SR-71 Flight Manual that identified a change to the SR-71 cockpit identified as "Dinghy Stabber". The change was the addition of a sharp metallic tool similar to a letter opener which was added to both cockpits in each aircraft to be used in the event of an accidental inflation of the rubber dinghy (life raft) in the cockpit during flight. One of the Tech Reps told me that during an actual flight the raft accidentally inflated which needless to say created a very hazardous situation for the pilot. Another interesting tidbit. In the late 60's we received daily SR-71 flight schedules out of Beale. The schedules listed each aircraft scheduled to fly that day, by tail number, the flight crew, flight takeoff time and duration, and the aircraft takeoff weight. What's interesting to me is I recall typical aircraft takeoff weight of around 120,000 lbs. I have since learned that all SR-71's later took off with it's fuel tanks near empty which would have put the aircraft closer to 60-70,000 lbs, and then they refueled by tanker shortly after takeoff. During my time at Beale I don't recall any SR-71's having to refuel immediately following takeoff. A takeoff weight of 120,000 lbs would have meant the fuel tanks were near full on takeoff. I recall after the crash of 977 there was great concern with the tire/wheel makeup that caused the crash. A total of 4 SR-71's were lost due to tire/wheel failures so I'm guessing that the "fix" was to reduce the aircraft weight at takeoff to reduce stress on the tire/wheel combination. I don't know this as a fact, but it seems to make sense.

[@fulccrum2324]

@@dankoehler6055 Sounds right, and, wow, pretty cool stuff

[@islandcatsmith]

As the daughter of an SR71 pilot - you did NOT have to be married. It was thought, at the time, that it showed stability. There are many SR pilots that were not married.

[@patgould2586]

Cathy Smith If I recall reading somewhere (wish I could remember where), it was only the CIA missions, not US AirForce missions, that they wanted the pilots to be married.

[@jbwalker73]

+Pat Gould That is correct. It was the CIA and the predecessor Lockheed A-12 that required the pilot to be married.

[@jdarksword]

I think that a family at home would be a great bargaining tool to get a downed pilot home

[@jdarksword]

+Cathy Smith what was your Dads name and rank?

[@islandcatsmith]

Haha better late than never - Col Thomas S Pugh - was pilot for the SR71, B52, Wing Commander for Beale AFB...Top Gun.

[@edro31111]

The first time I ever approached an SR-71 and touched it, I imagined what it would be like to touch an alien spacecraft because it was so amazing and other worldly looking. Caused cold chills to go through my body. Helluva plane folks!

[@Akito_Luccas_Karl]

It's a shame that it is no longer in use. The most beautiful jet in the USAF❤️

[@monching6919]

Those satellites made them obsolete

[@ItsKing32]

@@monching6919satellites have a predictable route/orbit a SR-71 doesn’t

[@FP194]

@@monching6919 Satellites are only over a spot every 24 hours The SR-71 can be there anytime

[@samfisher2306]

The most beautiful plane to ever grace the atmosphere imo

[@Odenian]

One of the most incredible aircrafts made by humans

[@hifisymphony]

this weekend I met all pilots and World record holder on this aircraft . Got a signed poster. what an honor to meet in person all this men

[@NisseOhlsen]

Where did you meet them?

[@hifisymphony]

At the Airforce Museum in Georgia.

[@NisseOhlsen]

martin lopez Wow!

[@hifisymphony]

Here is the signing [URL=s281.photobucket.com/user/engelsione/media/20160730_163707_zpshyexoqer.jpg.html][IMG]i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk204/engelsione/20160730_163707_zpshyexoqer.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[@hifisymphony]

And here is Captain Joersz with my baby girl. i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk204/engelsione/20160730_164913_zpsuuyaikwl.jpg

[@lightheart5340]

I remember hearing sonic booms all the time when I was a kid. We lived just a few miles from Grumman Aircraft on Long Island in Ny. I cannot remember the last time I heard one. It's been years and years.

[@blanked3]

How many years exactly?

[@DB-pv2ej]

Seen one In the flesh, and I can say it's a truly brilliant engineering feat, beautiful aswell, so sleek and stylish, saw a U2 aswell and they are humongous, unreal how big they are.

[@jessemiller6768]

contingency plan for a missile fired at aircraft is to floor it and outrun it LOL

[@bradleydavies4781]

I feel the need for speed.

[@NoDream424]

Some russian general:fire ST71 duds:chewie make the jump to mach 3

[@ryanskare6670]

"Burnt Hot dog Oxide" LMAO!.... I'm using that one.

[@xxx_mountiandoritosrmlg_xx609]

XD

[@GaryMP4.8]

I was on a TDY assignment at George AFB, Victorville, California. Crew chief on F4 B. Edwards AFB bordered George AFB at the time. I was on the headset launching my bird. I looked over my shoulder to see one these that had just taken off. What a treat that was. George AFB was home to the Wild Weasels F4's. It was closed back in the 80's. The SR71 is 1960's technology. Makes me wonder what they have these days that only a handful of people know about

[@anamericanman]

It is hard to believe that 50 years later this is still the top dog.

[@gandolin66]

that plane could be taken directly from a batman movie. It looks so great and ahead of the times, had paved the avenue for the stealth technology

[@shashayee6210]

Great Blackbird still to this day the fastest jet aircraft ever produced,still looks so fresh and futuristic,only plane that can make the faster you fly less fuel you burn.Kelly Johnson was brilliant genius who was way ahead of his time.

[@HandlesAreForTools]

back when i was a firefighter in the air force at edwards, one of the first things i did when i got there was hold a fire hose under an SR-71 when it was being fueled. they actually had to have fire protection every time they fueled up. was one of the most memorable things i have done. that, and walk in a room where they had the pegasus missile.

[@letsbuilda4ort]

wow, what an experience. Were you ever on the tarmac when those big engines fired up? SR has fascinated for most of my life.

[@HandlesAreForTools]

not that i can recall. i just remember arriving there and within maybe a month, as a newly enlisted, i'm standing under something that i would stare at in a book when i was a kid. it was amazing. space shuttle landings, which i don't know why i didn't mention before, were something else that were quite fun to watch and be a part of.

[@letsbuilda4ort]

That's incredible. What a fantastic priviledge and memory you must have of that experience. So few were able to get near that kind of stuff. You also were on seen for space shuttle landings...impressive.

[@HandlesAreForTools]

i did. and it was interesting.

[@foxtrot312]

Plant 42? Sierra highway sometimes see fly over

[@stevesmodelbuilds5473]

Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson was the first Lead Engineer for the Lockheed Skunk Works, and along with many other aircraft, he led the team that developed the SR-71. A few months before his death in 1990, suffering from ill health and dementia, he attended the 'official' retirement ceremony of the SR-71. He seemed mostly unaware of his surroundings during the ceremonies, but when he heard the sound of those mighty engines as the Blackbird approached for its 'final' fly-by, he sat up straight in his wheelchair, looked up and started smiling. As it passed over with a thunderous roar, he started nodding his head, and beaming with what could only be described as pride.

[@mrmisterman999]

there will never be a plane more beautiful or badass again

[@gandolin66]

That's right.

[@JonOroMusic]

That we know of..

[@pomalosine8037]

Great Blackbird still to this day the fastest jet aircraft ever produced,still looks so fresh and futuristic,only plane that can make the faster you fly less fuel you burn.Kelly Johnson was brilliant genius who was way ahead of his time.

[@BrigadierPickles]

Fastest manned jet. There are unmanned jets that are faster.

[@pipercub123456]

Eric Stanley Unmanned aircraft just don't seem as exciting as aircraft with a human going along for the ride

[@JadenIttanenn3]

PootStip Don't forget that the SR-71 also used less fuel that High up because the engine stop receiving as much fuel, they got turned into Ramjets at that speed and height.

[@BA31Driver]

Jaden Ittanenn Finally, someone gets it right here.

[@BA31Driver]

...yes, I stand corrected. I was certain I read somewhere that it needed a shallow descent to break the barrier, but can't find it anywhere....or maybe I incorrectly read whatever the source was....my bad. cheers

[@ronhoffstein8142]

Back in the day, I got to work with the YF-12A. an almost SR-71. When that idea was killed I went into the spacecraft field and never went back to aircraft. It would have been marvelous to see the F-12 progress much as the F-22 has, from a questionable platform into a sophisticated and mature machine. Different missions, I know, but still miss its thrill.

[@slyspy9819]

The more details I learn about this aircraft the more I'm in awe of what a perfect piece of engineering machine it truly is

[@edubblesspirit]

Well, minus the fuel tanks leaking all over the ground before flight.

[@slyspy9819]

@@edubblesspirit You understand the reason for that do you not ?

[@edubblesspirit]

@@slyspy9819 it’s great mid-flight when everything is super heated, expanded and sealed up. But until then I feel like there could’ve been a better solution. Now I’m definitely not a smart enough aeronautics expert to make a statement as such, but still.

[@slyspy9819]

@@edubblesspirit I'm sure Kelley Johnson is open for any suggestions you may have (ha)

[@alexanderfrankenberger1118]

And 60 years later it’s still the fastest plane ever made (after the A-12 but well that’s SR-71s brother and it was never in service). Insane.

[@olekundbolek9160]

The A-12 Oxcart was in service for 29 Missions.

[@hoghogwild]

A-12 was in service, with the CIA fron 1967 -1968, flown by civilians. Single seat camera only. SR-71 took over from A-12 flying out of Kadena in 1968. A-12 flew over Vietnam, North Korea.

[@MrPaglissi]

I miss "Wings" Such a great show.

[@mattfremen4490]

just shut up

[@turbointegra82]

MrPaglissi me too

[@DB-pv2ej]

MR Islandtime it's been 4 years, what took you so long, was you bingeing in a wings box set?

[@FlyNAA]

MrPaglissi Nah, here, have some ancient aliens and mad motorcycle guys throwing wrenches, and pawn shops

[@armadillotoe]

Remember when The History Channel was about history? Now, if you have big enough hair you can be an expert on ghost, aliens bigfoot, and hauntings on the non history channel.

[@ryankruchowski1951]

The king of the skies, the mighty SR-71 blackbird.

[@sam6stringestrada31]

I'm 40 when I was a little kid this was my favorite plane non other came close to consider. Today I feel the same.

[@muralist_]

This plane and the Concorde.... absolutely the two most beautiful plane designs ever built! 😍

[@LunaMapping_KR]

It's 2022 and this masterpiece still looks futuristic and scifi

[@ravenrodriguez7818]

I had posters of this when I was a kid. I think it's the most beautifully crafted piece of engineering ever.

[@soup6884]

It’s so cool seeing the cameraman fly after the blackbird just to make this film :)

[@michaelhaney3388]

My uncle worked on the U2. passed away 6 years ago. but the SR71 is something else.

[@michaelskywalker3089]

lol, turn radius of 100 miles...

[@robertbrockway6580]

Michael Southcott Yea but it is going mach 3 plus. that is over 2,200MPH in pea brain terms.

[@michaelskywalker3089]

That's the point. Well... only if you have a pea brains worth of sense to know that very few aircraft fly that high and that fast and would require a minimum turn radius of such a high value.

[@gandolin66]

But you may enjoy each mile😉

[@mr.b4]

Just like my old Datsun..

[@BobBeatski71]

I'm sure there's a "yo mamma" joke there.....

[@taofledermaus]

They took off lightly fueled because it was lighter, not because the fuel had all leaked out.

[@TheSHJGaming]

So it would just be more efficient both ways, wouldn't it?

[@jdarksword]

Hey Jeff, I see your one of the smart ones, I got that data from Ben Rich's book on the Sr-71. How about you?

[@JoshuaNyhus]

Either way... Kelly nailed it.

[@huss03]

Actually, they took off with a lighter fuel load primarily for safety reasons. The tires were too heavily stressed at full fuel load, and represented a risk factor. In addition, the climb out from takeoff was considered a high-risk period, because if one engine failed at low altitude and low speed the aircraft would roll over and crash. So lightening the fuel load resulted in less time exposed to high risk.

[@miguelbinion9067]

I'mma listen to the Pros on this one...

[@horrhiunioj507]

Love these old doc’s

[@shelleyking8450]

What kind of a wizard can design an aircraft AND engines that actually gets MORE efficient the faster it flies? Even today, just an unbelievable marvel of design.

[@LASR71]

Holy crap, that guy was 43 at the moment of filming...and I am now that age...makes me feel inadequate.

[@anooseholay]

I love the allowable leakage rate. Amazing. What a plane. Wow.

[@thomascarpenter7415]

I met a retired Colonel who flew this bird and the U-2… actually a very humble man.

[@pilot3016]

Back around 1967, I was able to do a altitude chamber flight through the "Aviation Explorers" Post 707 at a "71" base in California. Down the hill we could see a few open end hangers with Some "SR's" in them. We were told... don't get any ideas of sneaking down there for a look. Use of deadly force is authorized. Yes Sir was the reply. We were able to watch a real "Launch"..and it was amazing. Truly amazing! Any old members out there? This is Steve.

[@brucesmith4245]

Yes, i worked on the astro-inertial navigation system on the SR from 75 to 85, Also worked. on the U-2 76-79, and 83-89.

[@RIEMANNISM]

5:47 Obviously Chevy's ad department never heard about this..

[@StBeter-tc2te]

RIEMANNISM back when gm was good.

[@myronarmijo2347]

As a high school graduate in 1972, working as an intern at KAFB, I saw a Blackbird fly into the base, pretty amazing. And saw it take off the next day, Col. O. Prater wanted to recruit me for the USAF, but had other plans...too bad it was deleted from the inventory.

[@Daponics89]

Thankyou Dad for the two deployments to Okinawa back in the day with this beast. (Worked AGE with the Buick engine start carts while it ran missions.)

[@hemmarket]

Awesome !! Great bird, and the best 1990's announcer too !! The good old days of military and science shows !! Thanks !!

[@whiskeyandagyro3135]

sr-71 is out of this world

[@kifter4254]

Windows XP 2001 he is literal.

[@pwy0598]

2:15 I use the soviet Union to destroy the soviet Union

[@bosatsu76]

I know... I did a spit take on that one...

[@josebravo7337]

In Soviet Russia, the U.S. destroy Soviet Russia!

[@Stapher]

I thought of that too. The Soviet Union supplied the US with titanium to build planes to spy on them.

[@MR.Fireblade1097]

@@josebravo7337 not yet

[@supers0nic77]

Now china has us bent over

[@fasnuf]

Still amazes me this was first conceived in the late 1950's

[@TheAdrianMD]

"Shock Dia-Monds." I love the way he says it!

[@petermgruhn]

Every pilot is always "my plane is the best plane ever and anybody else is an ignorant fool." You might have to give it to the SR-71 pilots.

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

When they say it, they are actually right, and there's lots of data to back up their words.

[@setesh1294]

@@DonVigaDeFierro most of which is still classified.

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

NAS Miramr, 70-74, I maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN. Got to see at least one Blackbird fly in and out of there. Our shop was about 7K ft toward the W end of the runways. I got to see one take off into the western late sunset. The standoff patterns from the engines are pure beauty.

[@MrSupertim996]

I started seeing these on static display in the early 90s on various AF bases I trained at . I was in awe getting to see one up close but saddened they decommissioned them.

[@ryantaylor-jackson7376]

That is one beautiful flying machine

[@darrylmckinney1963]

I won't ever forget refueling this plane as long I live. Loved it😎

[@andreamanuzzi8744]

I'll never forget when I saw it in New York on the SS Intrepid: it was 1991 and I was 10 years old. Things a kid remember for life...

[@MrSanteeclaus]

In 1971 i was sent to Beale just out of boot camp. Walked the pavement out side the secret hangers of the SR’s. (SP) Here nearly 45 years later they still amaze me

[@keith14452]

Awesome plane! THE BEST ever built, and most admiration & respect to those few who flew it!

[@crazeeborg]

One of my all time fav aircraft. I used to love watching this aircraft take off in person while I was stationed at Kadena AFB, Japan. Night take offs were especially cool because of the those iglowing white hot afterburners. xD

[@yellow-_-toaster5627]

The Blackbird creates a "feeling" when you see it....that's how cool this thing looks.

[@bpmgaming3351]

I love aviation history, so when I was a child at the Wright Pat Air Force Museum and I saw the SR-71 sitting there, even with the clear "DO NOT TOUCH" sign, I couldn't resist the temptation to touch the fastest aircraft in the world. Just as I did so, an unrelated announcement came over the PA system. I yanked my hand back sooo fast! My family got a kick out of that.

[@FlavioSpirit]

Bom dia meu Amigo !!!! Essa foi sem dúvidas, a Aeronave mais fantástica da história da aviação. Lindo demais. Muito obrigado pelo vídeo e parabéns pelo canal. Abraço do Brasil......

[@superbadger1079]

Truly an aircraft ahead of its time

[@Ez4u2bnvs]

My brother works at CIA snd we got to see the one on display outside the Agency in Langley during a family day visit back in 2007, it was awesome experience!

[@gandolin66]

So you must be a lucky guy living with that experience.

[@Ez4u2bnvs]

Surprisingly we don't get too much information because he has to take polygraphs periodically so don't get too many details on the good stuff, but getting to see the SR71 Blackbird was a highlight. Thst and using his night vision goggles which are amazing.

[@austinmilbarge4505]

enjoyed the daily view of the SR 71 predecessor, the A 12 at work for 12 years. On the fly in to Dulles in 1990 was the first time I had heard one, nothing else like it.

[@jamcrane3]

80000 pounds of fuel is about 1 1/3 tanker trucks like you see at your local gas station.........amazing..........

[@shakahendon6998]

cherona ass faster then f.16 Tom cat jet

[@foxtrot312]

That's part reason for the extraordinary operating cost

[@WranglerSlim]

fox trot 027 Yes, and the fuel was a special type produced for the SR-71. It had additives in it to prevent fuel tank explosions when the aircraft’s body panels reached 1,000 degrees or more. Probably cost $30 per gallon or more.

[@scottlevin6506]

@@shakahendon6998 F14 Tom Cat, F16 Fighting Falcon

[@mcearl8073]

James Crane Jr. That’s crazy. It doesn’t even seem like that much would fit in there. I guess it makes sense they’d take off with half of that to be able to accelerate quicker and not have as much weight on the tires.

[@Godzilla691138MW3]

Can't shoot these babies down, love the Blackbird it looks beautiful

[@videomaniac108]

SR-71s were intercepted on two occasions in 1986 by Soviet MiG-31 Foxhounds near Soviet airspace. The Foxhounds achieved weapons radar lock-on and their R-33 air to air missiles were within range of the Blackbirds. The Soviet pilots didn't shoot because the Blackbirds had not crossed into Soviet airspace. The US Air Force stopped reconnaissance overflights of Soviet airspace after that and retired the plane a few years later. theaviationist.com/2013/12/11/sr-71-vs-mig-31/

[@Alvah707]

Jim Nesta they didnt shoot because they knew it wouldnt work. Any AA missile can lock on, doesnt mean it can hit it.

[@Alvah707]

Jim Nesta also, the pilots of the SR-71 must have been trolling if they actually got intercepted, mig-25 needs to go a couple hundred miles faster to be the same speed as the SR-71 also, mig-25 uses air, there is almost none in at the edge of the atmostsphere, where the SR-71 flies. So if the story is true, the SR-71 was just taunting.

[@TheDanixx]

Saab Ja37... Lock-on.

[@JimWakable]

Heard about this "alled" set of intercepts... actually not factual. Typical of the Russian military philosophy which does an excellent job of projecting the illusion of power... Written from the Soviet Point of view of course. More factual is that these attempted "intercepts" happened quite frequently. There is little to prove that an R-30 if launched could have actually made the intercept. The MiG-31s would have had to be nearly head-on, and this was not the case in any of the situations. Fact of the matter is that there were nearly 4500 SAMS shot at the SR-71 during it's life of flying missions. Obviously all missed. Little known is that the SR-71 also had a very comprehensive ECM suite tailored to the threats of the time. I have personally spoken to a retired SR-71 driver, who wrote a few books on flying the beast. He claimed at no time was there ever a change to their routes or a stopping of what they were doing, because of a scary Soviet "threat". Not factual.

[@cole4449]

The fact that they start them with 2 454s is really cool

[@mrtaheem]

I was stationed at Kadena AB 82-83 961st AWACS our planes shared the flight line with the 2 SR-71. I remember I was on my way to work and I looked up and seen the afterburners... total amazement.

[@Alanoffer]

If that was sixties technology, you have to wonder what is flying around the world now?

[@Racecarlock]

Do you even read my christmas list?!

[@aghowrath]

Incredibly engineered aircraft with accompanying superlative performance..way ahead of its era

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

What algorithm brought me to this 13 year old video?? 😳 Absolutely amazing!

[@LegendaryGauntlet]

It would only seep a few drops of fuel when cold, it was not pissing the contents of its tanks. The reason why it refueled soon after take off was because they didnt actually fill the tanks for safety reasons (lighter weight and easier to abort in case of trouble).

[@E9clyde9]

Especially to protect the brakes

[@FuzedBox]

"Burnt-hotdog-oxide". Wow. Gotta use that, just don't know any context.

[@daveblevins3322]

On the back deck while grilling some 4th of July hot dogs and burgers, Oh here! Somebody hold my beer and I listen to this !🖕👍👍👀

[@kingtigerbooks1162]

The SR-71 is my favorite aircraft. Maybe not as heavily armed as the Eagle but it's gonna sneak up on them MiGs real quiet like and shoot them with its camera. My neighbor is an old F-4 Phantom pilot. He saw a little action in Vietnam. I keep telling him to write a book. He had his share of close calls and narrow escapes from MiGs. These are my 3 favorite aviation books: - Her Majesty's Top Gun by Sharkey Ward - Phantom II by Val Ross Johnson - Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy 1 by Tim Gibson

[@superchargedsteve3411]

I learned more in this 7 min short documentary than I ever have about this phenomenal aircraft! I had a poster of a Blackbird on my wall as a kid, next to the sports cars. I didn't know 12 were lost in accidents either! But not a 1 ever shot down 🇺🇸

[@jordan6988]

"Faster you go, the hotter things get" lol

[@JamesinAZ]

Uhh..huhuhuhuh..uh..huhhuhhh(Beavis and Butthead laugh

[@RookLuke]

I like that the faster you go the hotter you get.

[@williamogilvie6909]

In 1996 I and a co-worker were at Edwards Air Force Base. He knew his way around and on our way back to our car one day we walked through a hanger complex. We looked in one of the hangers and could see two SR-71s in the darkness. There was a strong smell of jet fuel.

[@Johnny2buy4]

I always rewatch this video whenever I get a new phone. I love this video so much

[@luisenriqueramirez627]

That's the best plane ever made by USA

[@rgjerde53]

The best plane -- that we know of!

[@rickyrick5586]

Sounds like Harley Davidson built it tho .gotta put kitty litter under these too

[@MultiGG2]

Walter: "well, we do have one option, however it was decommissioned in 1998." Alucard: "The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird; an advanced strategic reconnaissance aircraft capable of mock 3 and an altitude of EIGHTY-FIVE THOUSAND FEET." Entegra: "You sure do seem to know a lot about it." Alucard: "DO YOU EVEN READ MY CHRISTMAS LIST!?" -TFS Hellsing Abridged episode 4-

[@jdarksword]

It's Mach not mock

[@MultiGG2]

135th Darksword Easy there grammer nazi. Wouldn't want you to bust a vein.

[@jdarksword]

MultiGG2 lol

[@bigbob1699]

In the 70s I was in the Nike Missal system and spoke to a Warrant Officer who said that they had a test of all the batteries on the Pacific coast to see if they could lock on to a high speed target flying down the coast . Every one were ready but could only look at zip by faster then any one could designate . No one could get a lock .

[@marksamuelsen2750]

What amazes me is that this aircraft was flying recon missions in the early 1970’s!!

[@fra93ilgrande]

At MACH 3+ 👹👊🏻💥🛩️🔥🔝

[@nj2033]

SO many inaccuracies by the narrator! The SR-71 took off with minimal fuel because the tyres couldn't handle the weight at take off of it being fully fueled. Not because it leaked out... it had a drips per minute monitored leakage. Also the aircraft expanded 5 inches in flight.... That's how good the engineers were then.... Not over half a foot...shame they didn't get an SR71 pilot to narrate it

[@SuperballBG]

Half a foot is 6 inches though.

[@islandcatsmith]

You are so wrong Nathan...

[@e-rj8984]

A really FANTASTIC plane 👍 And deeply missed!!!

[@Eddie-ym1vq]

Over 50 years old and probably one of the most advanced and still to this day.

[@craigmahon1303]

Forget a high-powered rifle, average handgun velocity is around 1200 fps. So the SR-71 is almost 3X the velocity of a speeding bullet, incredible. Faster than even Superman!

[@pipercub123456]

Taking off with near empty tanks are one of the biggest myths surrounding the SR-71.the A/C usually launched with either 45,000# ..55,000# or 65,000# of fuel on board.depending on the mission profile . as a rule the only SR-71 that launched with full 80,000# of fuel onboard were the test bed flights from Plant 42 in Palmdale.the SR-71 didn't have "fuel bladders" as the outside skin was the fuel tank with interior bulkheads.separated into six sections longitudinal along body of the A/C..THX