Sr-71

[Photon440]

Maybe they were removed so they could go on display, like this one was.

The development for such high speeds was quite interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_&_Whitney_J58

 

[hemi71x]

When an aircraft goes on display, either on stands, or a "Popsicle stick" as it's called, the aircraft is just pretty much a shell.
Engines are removed, ejection seats are removed, or so severely deactivated they will never work again, before going on display.
Made to be as light as possible, and all high dollar parts and components removed.

 

[Photon440]

When an aircraft goes on display, either on stands, or a "Popsicle stick" as it's called, the aircraft is just pretty much a shell.
Engines are removed, ejection seats are removed, or so severely deactivated they will never work again, before going on display.
Made to be as light as possible, and all high dollar parts and components removed.

I would imagine (although I don't know for sure) that the fuel tanks would be steamed out and access panels and cockpit would be sealed to keep 'souvenir hunters' away, plus moving surfaces like ailerons and rudders would get locked to keep them from drooping or moving around in wind or provide a pinch point for fingers.

 

[hemi71x]

A flight line full of them.

 

[gtx6970]

IMO< HANDS down, the most badass plane on the planet..

Ive seen a few of them up close. And I still get all giggly when I get close to one. And Im NOT a plane geek by any means

 

[JDmac72chrgr]

Check out youtube Major Brian Suhl "Speed Check" TOO DAMN FUNNY, BUT TRUE "BADASS"

 

[ESOXER]

A professor at my previous place of employment said his brother in law designed the the first one, or his is in the Smithsonian. Might be bullshit.

 

[Photon440]

A professor at my previous place of employment said his brother in law designed the the first one, or his is in the Smithsonian. Might be bullshit.

If his brother-in-law was Kelly Johnson, he could be right.

 

[Ceedawg]

Last I heard we have one in Richmond at the airport on display, those suits had to withstand the 600 degree skin temps, skin would anneal itself every time it flew, the titanium skins never cracked. Can you imagine flying faster than a .3006 bullit? As good as that plane was, technology today is light years better, so what they have now is mind boggling. I’ve heard rumors of anti-gravity

 

[Photon440]

 

[69a100]

View attachment 1071110

Time to hit the Tanker!

 

[Brandy]

Declassified material...

Declassified 1960s Photos Reveal How the SR-71 Blackbird Was Built - Aviation Humor

 

[747mopar]

I'm not a huge airplane freak but always marvelled at the SR71, the makings of it are even more impressive! Still to this day I love the Warthogs the best, hell on earth ground support! My boy and I attend the Cleveland air show every year and drool over the Warthog demo where they drop bombs and lay down some serious fire (fake but cool). It's triple redundant flight controls, ability to fly home missing large portions of wings, armored cockpit, ability to lay down massive gunfire and most importantly it's ability to get our ground troops much needed help in the worst of situations.

 

[Photon440]

Ever notice some similarities with the Naboo Royal Starship from Star Wars Episode II?