Sr-71

[Budnicks]

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.

Thanks for your military service, not to just milit73, but to all you, who are still active or have served our country...

 

[coronet500]

My dad, US Army Air Corp from WW2, was out in California back in the late 80's or early 90's and watched some take off. Told me that they "leak fuel like a sieve" until it gets up to operating temps. Apparently they put just enough fuel in them to get them airborne and then refuel them, in air, once they are up and flying.

 

[Photon440]

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

Either that, or the 'other' Mach 3 plane: the XB-70 Valkyrie
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/201...yrie-almost-the-world’s-1st-nuclear-aircraft/

 

[71airgrabberRR]

NASM Blackbird

One of our guys just came back from the National Fire Academy last week. While he was there he took these photos of the SR-71 at the NASM.
He sent them to me because he knew I really like the planes. Going to the NASM is on my bucket list. Been through DC many times, never had the opportunity to stop.

Enjoy the pics..

 

[kb73rr]

I've never had the chance to see an SR-71 in flight but a number of years ago I did get to personally caress one of the J58 engines at a Pratt & Whitney plant in Florida. I've been working in the industry for 30+ years, and that was - by far - the meanest looking engine I have ever seen. Here is my favorite picture of it.


"Sled Driver" may be the ultimate coffee table book. It's written by an SR-71 pilot. The original edition was printed in small quantity and it sold for something like $40. Amazon has one NOS hardcover for sale right now for $2500.

You could also check out www.habu.org and www.roadrunnersinternationale.com

The thing about the SR-71 that amazes me the most was that it was created by a bunch of guys using slide rules and manual mills and lates. I bet what they are working on now would be totally jaw-dropping.

 

[d.b.]

It's an incredible machine but when you add in the fact it was designed over 60 years ago, when in the UK we were driving around in Morris Minors it really is astonishing!
I saw a documentary recently where they interviewed one of the pilots. He laughed about the attempts to shoot him down, he either flew so high the chasing fighter couldn't get anywhere near, or he simply outran the missiles!

 

[Budnicks]

Either that, or the 'other' Mach 3 plane: the XB-70 Valkyrie
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/201...yrie-almost-the-world’s-1st-nuclear-aircraft/

That's another freaken'bada$$ary type plane, thanks for sharing

 

[Budnicks]

You could also check out www.habu.org and www.roadrunnersinternationale.com

The thing about the SR-71 that amazes me the most was that it was created by a bunch of guys using slide rules and manual mills and lates. I bet what they are working on now would be totally jaw-dropping.

Very cool site for sure, amazing what the old engineers could do back then... just mind boggling

 

[Richard Cranium]

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

You're not kidding it was. Our conversation with him left us in awe & my buddy & I talked about that for days

 

[Moparsmitty]

Quick story. When I was in the USAF back in the late 60s I was lucky enough to be stationed at Hickam AFB on Oahu. One evening we were out on the flight line getting ready to load one of our old C-124s when all of a sudden this huge black Flash Gordon spaceship looking thing makes a pass over our runway, turns, lands, and taxis to the far end of the line. We all looked at each other and said "what the hell was that". Our crew chief said "that's an SR-71, I wonder why he landed here, he must have some kind of problem". Then he said "let's go take a look at it". So we all jump in one of the ramp trucks and head over that way. By the time we got there a couple of pickup loads of APs (air police) had beat us there and set up a perimeter. We pull up and stop and this beefy AP sergeant walks up to our truck and says "you boys from maintenance". Our chief says "Nah, we just wanted to take a closer look". The AP Sergeant says "This as good of a look as you are going to get, now get the f#ck outta here". We left. Even we were smart enough to not argue with an unfriendly AP sergeant carrying an M-16.
So far that's as close as I've been to one. Maybe I'll make it to the Air and Space Museum someday and get a little closer. But I'll still keep an eye out for that AP sergeant.

 

[usaroadrunner]

thanks to everyone that replied...i guess im not the only one that thinks this is a marvel of a plane. just reading the stories in this thread was awesome...hell i have to admit i got a chill on some of them. thanks again for all the info and stories. :unitedstates::sFl_america2:

 

[zyzzyx]

 

[64BEL]

Either that, or the 'other' Mach 3 plane: the XB-70 Valkyrie
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/201...yrie-almost-the-world’s-1st-nuclear-aircraft/

You know a plane is something serious when NASA is on the tail.

 

[MarPar]

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skunk works!!

 

[george68hemirr]

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.

same here.....back in early 70"s at our base in Thailand.....top secret.....no cameras

 

[dodge41969]

That is true...my stepfather worked on them and told me that first hand. He was part of the maintenance crew at Lockheed up until they stopped flying them. I too worked at Lockheed here in Burbank, from '80-'88 as a structures assembler.

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???

- - - Updated - - -

I worked in the Skunk Works/ADP, (Advanced Development Program) in the 80's, still have an embroidered jacket with my name on it.

View attachment 137239

 

[69rtse4spd]

Very cool reading all these, & yes one Bad a$$ plane. They really new what they were doing back then.

 

[snakeyes]

 

[Budnicks]

Gotta love the cool flight/space/fire/G-suits

 

[scotts74birds]

Here is the episode of "Great Planes" from Nat-Geo featuring the SR-71. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59DMHhQcy7A
This answered every question i had about this amazing plane. It runs about 45 minutes. Kelly Johnson was a genius, and damn near a National Hero for his contributions to the war effort, and the Cold War security of this country. The guys that designed and built this plane were truly talented engineers and machinists. Not the "diversity-hires" that I am used to working with. It would be very "Un-PC" to give anyone a "skills-based" hiring-test these days, as it may make them feel bad about themselves.