Sr-71

[usaroadrunner]

Is it just me or does the sr-71 just marvels me that this plane was built in 1969. Til this date this plane still looks somewhat futuristic to me, but its retired. What do we have now i wonder....

 

[Moparsmitty]

Satellites and drones, mostly. Way back when I was in the USAF, we used to see these come in for maintenance every once in awhile. The SR-71s were certianly way ahead of their time engineering wise. They say some of the equipment on these birds is still classified top secret.

 

[lewtot184]

if i remember correctly the A12, the fighter interceptor version of the SR71, first flew in 1962.

 

[MikeyT]

No doubt about it, those things were and still are B.A.! We saw them occasionally land in Grand Forks Air force base back in the 80's. I always thought they looked ominous.

mike

 

[62MAX]

Nothing like them,in a league of their own ,same as this if you want to go way back and it was faster than the P 51

!!View attachment 136717

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

In the 80's part of my job was to repair/recalibrate fuel system sensors for the Blackbird (SR-71) among other things. Amazing aircraft, especially for its time.

 

[coronet500]

Yea, I think they were in service in 1964, they just wouldn't admit to their existence until the early 70's. Corsairs were cool planes, just about as ominous in their time.

 

[64BEL]

I'll always watch a show about them when I see one is on. Bad *** really seems to be the best term for them that comes to mind. Really makes you proud to be an American.

 

[Jonnyuma]

I got to see one in the 80s while I was laid-over during a MAC flight. I'd seen pictures, heard the legends, but seeing one out on the apron was something else.

I was, and still am, suitably impressed. B2s are cool, but they ain't no BlackBird.

 

[Budnicks]

that's what the 69 1/2 A12 Roadrunner was named after, it has to be badfreaken'assery, very cool stuff... I had a couple models of them in my bedroom as a young kid.... got to love an all titanium skin & speeds that took several states to turn it around.... thanks for sharing USARR

 

[MarPar]

the SR-71's were and STILL are the baddest a$$ birds that ever prowled the skies....

i heard that they leaked hydraulic fluid out on the tarmac, but when they got up in the air @ operating speed/temperature they would seal up because of the stresses on the airframe would close it up...

i've heard that second and third hand, can anyone here confirm this???

 

[Photon440]

the SR-71's were and STILL are the baddest a$$ birds that ever prowled the skies....

i heard that they leaked hydraulic fluid out on the tarmac, but when they got up in the air @ operating speed/temperature they would seal up because of the stresses on the airframe would close it up...

i've heard that second and third hand, can anyone here confirm this???

I don't know about the hydraulic fluid, MarPar, but I've read over and over that the fuel tanks would leak until they were heated up at speed.

When you think about it, the technology was extremely impressive for a design that was conceived in the late 1950's. The earliest planes (A-12) were in the air in 1962, and President Johnson finally admitted their existence in 1965. I've always marveled at the Blackbird, wish I'd viewed it when it flew into the Abbotsford air show several years back.
Such impressive performance, especially when you consider that both engines together, with afterburners, produced less power than one of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner engines.

http://iliketowastemytime.com/facts-you-didnt-know-about-sr71-blackbird
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_SR-71_Blackbird

 

[usaroadrunner]

I thought it was the fuel tanks that leaked. Once airborne it had to refuel. I was reading in an artical that one pilot was cruising at mach 3.5. I think its the baddest aircraft ever built I would of loved to see one on the tarmac taking off. I can't wait to see one in person

 

[Richard Cranium]

I visited the Air & Space Museam last fall & I couldn't take my eyes off of it. The plane is a marvel.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I though is was brought back out of retirement and is being used on a need be basis. But I could be wrong.

 

[J5 GTX]

The fuel tanks would leak while the aircraft was on the ground. It was not a fire hazard. The fuel, JP7, will not ignite by conventional means,i.e. match , cigarette. That aircraft is unique all around, from the wiring that used gold because conventional solder joints could not stand the heat, to the special tires. There is a book by Paul Crickmore, I think it's the definitive text on that aircraft. And yes, it was 50's technology (designed with a slide rule).

 

[Richard Cranium]

I though is was brought back out of retirement and is being used on a need be basis. But I could be wrong.

If I were the president, I'd order up a ride in one for sure.

I forgot to mention that when I saw the plane at the Air & Space Museum last fall, I had the pleasure of talking with a former SR71 pilot for about 15 minutes. That alone was worth the trip!

 

[milit73]

I tested the fuel at Beale AFB when they brought it back into service back in the mid 90's. I would have to test a few trucks at once to make sure if one failed I would have a back-up. BTW the test took appox 9 hours to run. I was a Fuels Tech in the ASAF and saw many cools planes but never saw the SR-71 in operation. They had one on Display at Beale and even that was cool.

 

[usaroadrunner]

If I were the president, I'd order up a ride in one for sure.

I forgot to mention that when I saw the plane at the Air & Space Museum last fall, I had the pleasure of talking with a former SR71 pilot for about 15 minutes. That alone was worth the trip!

WOW, rc that would be awesome to be able to talk to one of the pilots. you aint kidding that was worth the trip. just awesome. wouldnt a big blue mopar M look cool on that black beauty...just saying. lol

 

[moparmarks]

The most Badass piece of aircraft ever built. Been in love with then since I was a kid in the Sixties.