Tales of the Blackbird (SR-71)

[nameisbond]

The trivia on the 1986 Abbotsford appearance. It was the first time an SR-71 was on static display outside of the USA. Even bigger deal as the Russians had a static display there too.

 

[spectras only]

I talked to a russian major piloting a Mig 27 or 29 at the show in 86, he was shit talking, saying the Migs fly much better than US counterparts,lol. I know russian pilots are damn good, well trained but their planes had inferior electronics at the time.
BTW, the Blue Angels and A-10 returns this year at Abbotsford.

 

[Mcob25rg]

This is the best thread I've ever read on this site!!! This is what made America great the first time, and it's decisions / people / direction like this that will keep us on top and respected in the rest of the world. How do you think Kadafi felt when he heard the American plane flew away from his missles?? Do you think that might have impacted his future decisions concerning the US????

 

[rivrrts429]

Impressive...

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

This sure looks like we splashed an Alien Spaceship. B-2

 

[KENDOG689]

By the looks of the routes and re-fuel schedules on the map , it doesn't look like it gets good gas mileage ...
Doesn't seem to be very eco - friendly .

I had read some years ago that at certain altitudes the plane would leak fuel.Anyone no about that?

 

[CLdrinker]

I had read some years ago that at certain altitudes the plane would leak fuel.Anyone no about that?

Before take off it would leak. They put minimal fuel in it to get into the air. It would meet up with a fueling tanker shortly after take off to fill up. Atleast that’s what I learned on a YouTube documentary on the plane.

 

[hallett21]

I had read some years ago that at certain altitudes the plane would leak fuel.Anyone no about that?

Leaked on the ground. Once up to speed the fuselage would expand and seal up. That’s what I was always told

 

[Waterjunky]

I visited the plane (twice actually) at Beale in high school. They had drip trays running the entire length of the fuselage to catch fuel. There are pictures of it directly after takeoff and you can see the large smears and wet areas from the leaking. As soon as they really started to run all the pictures show them dry.

 

[wsuwrhr]

Built with a slide rule....when we got shit done, before the lawyers took over.

 

[rivrrts429]

I had read some years ago that at certain altitudes the plane would leak fuel.Anyone no about that?

https://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/sr-71/

The airframe of the SR-71 is very unique. To withstand the friction-generated heat at Mach 3+, over 90 percent of the airframe is made of titanium composite. Also to withstand heat, the main gear tires have been impregnated with aluminum and are filled with nitrogen.
In order for the SR-71 to fly the worldwide missions, it has a special fleet of modified KC-135Q tankers for refueling. SR-71s run on JP-7 fuel, that fills the six large tanks in the fuselage. The component parts of the Blackbird fit very loosely together to allow for expansion at high temperatures. At rest on the ground, fuel leaks out constantly, since the tanks in the fuselage and wings only seal at operating temperatures. There is little danger of fire since the JP-7 fuel is very stable with an extremely high flash point.


You can see the leaks in these pictures...

View attachment 632048 View attachment 632049

 

[wsuwrhr]

How we got the titanium to build her is an even awesomer story.

 

[rivrrts429]

How we got the titanium to build her is an even awesomer story.

[emoji1]

 

[4Waters]

My uncle worked for skunk works for ever it seemed, I asked him a couple years ago with today's technology with metals and computer design programs would the SR-71 still leak fuel if it were built today, his answer "yes, like a sive, no way to seal that plane up without heat"

 

[Flyinbowtie]

It leaked because there were no internal fuel "tanks" per se...the tanks were the skin of the aircraft. Once the aircraft got up to speed and friction heated the structures the expansion sealed the leaks. And yep it was all as designed.

I was looking for this thread to add to it.
I went and saw my family member who was involved in the program for most of it''s life. He is, as I have said before, in failing health. He has no children of his own, no one but me.
I was shocked to see his wife had pulled down his prized possession off the wall and had it waiting for me.

This is about 5ft long and 3 ft. tall, it is a limited edition print of a portrait done of an SR on the flight line. He had it framed with all the challenge coins he had from the Skunkworks, etc. that he worked for or with during his career.
These were initially available at the SR Reunions in Reno, where both Air Force duty personnel and support folks had them lined up and all signed the one that applied to them. I suppose to make clear for future reference which were later prints and which were originals the attendees signed in pencil.
The signatures on this one are in pencil.
He had all the support guys sign this, then asked several of the aircrew and staff he worked with sign this one. The entire white area at the bottom of the portrait is covered with signatures signed in pencil.

The print is apparently now available.
But you won't find one with this frame or these challenge coins, nor the mix of signatures.

I was in tears when I loaded it up in the truck. We are going to paint the den this summer before we hang it up. His wife suggested we have it appraised and added to our homeowners policy as she had done.
We are in the process of contacting the appraiser..

 

[rivrrts429]

It leaked because there were no internal fuel "tanks" per se...the tanks were the skin of the aircraft. Once the aircraft got up to speed and friction heated the structures the expansion sealed the leaks. And yep it was all as designed.

I was looking for this thread to add to it.
I went and saw my family member who was involved in the program for most of it''s life. He is, as I have said before, in failing health. He has no children of his own, no one but me.
I was shocked to see his wife had pulled down his prized possession off the wall and had it waiting for me.
View attachment 632060
This is about 5ft long and 3 ft. tall, it is a limited edition print of a portrait done of an SR on the flight line. He had it framed with all the challenge coins he had from the Skunkworks, etc. that he worked for or with during his career.
These were initially available at the SR Reunions in Reno, where both Air Force duty personnel and support folks had them lined up and all signed the one that applied to them. I suppose to make clear for future reference which were later prints and which were originals the attendees signed in pencil.
The signatures on this one are in pencil.
He had all the support guys sign this, then asked several of the aircrew and staff he worked with sign this one. The entire white area at the bottom of the portrait is covered with signatures signed in pencil.
View attachment 632064
The print is apparently now available.
But you won't find one with this frame or these challenge coins, nor the mix of signatures.

I was in tears when I loaded it up in the truck. We are going to paint the den this summer before we hang it up. His wife suggested we have it appraised and added to our homeowners policy as she had done.
We are in the process of contacting the appraiser..

That is an awesome piece of history [emoji106]

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Thanks. Crappy pic but it was the best I could do at the time. Was pretty emotional day. I need to go see him this week...

 

[Devilman]

If one has the time, this guy has a pretty interesting write up on his hunt for the crash site of an A-12, which from my limited knowledge of aircraft, appears to be the predecessor of the SR-71 and not as well known. I ran across it awhile back while reading some of his search & rescue accounts. I figured there may be some here that may be interested in reading it, if nothing else for the historical aspect of it and its ties to the SR-71.

http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/...aces/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

 

[bajagrom]

found this one. Pretty cool picture since these engines and super secret.

 

[Zack @ Bling Sauce]

Strongly suggest anyone in the area make a trip to the Pima Air & Space museum outside Tucson to see one of these girls up close.

-Zack

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I know this is a Blackbird thread, but if anyone here has a WSJ subscription they have a 20 minute video on the U2... Pretty cool stuff.

 

[Cal509]

75 Years of Skunkworks....Click on the e-book link.
Great reading.

http://aviationweek.com/

 

[OC Mike]

SR-71 = COOLEST PLANE EVER......

 

[Deja_Vu]

 

[work2ski]

View attachment 632105 found this one. Pretty cool picture since these engines and super secret.

That picture was taken at Evergreen Air & Space Museum. Only place it shows the engine out of the jet from what I understand.

The camera on the plane is bananas! Incredible accuracy and detail.

 

[rivrrts429]

Let’s get J58 learned up...

 

[4Waters]

Let’s get J58 learned up...

That is the most impressive engine I've ever seen, the things they had to overcome was unreal.

 

[rivrrts429]

That is the most impressive engine I've ever seen, the things they had to overcome was unreal.

1958, the J58 is 60 years old.

It’s mind boggling how amazing the people at Skunkworks were back then. A lot of brilliant minds made this bird fly at incredible speeds all in the name of freedom.

Fuck yeah!

 

[JB in so cal]

I'm willing to say the program came in under budget and ahead of schedule. Did not Google before postingposting, so....?

 

[lbhsbz]

Leaked on the ground. Once up to speed the fuselage would expand and seal up. That’s what I was always told

The movie "Space Cowboys" explained everything...and is a damn good movie if you're bored one night

 

[highvoltagehands]

If one has the time, this guy has a pretty interesting write up on his hunt for the crash site of an A-12, which from my limited knowledge of aircraft, appears to be the predecessor of the SR-71 and not as well known. I ran across it awhile back while reading some of his search & rescue accounts. I figured there may be some here that may be interested in reading it, if nothing else for the historical aspect of it and its ties to the SR-71.

http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/...aces/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

What a great story Devilman. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Frankenmax]

My grandfather was a F4 recon pilot in Vietnam. He was part of the 15th attack squadron know as the cotton pickers. Latter on during the Cold War he flew the SR 71.


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[4Waters]

My grandfather was a F4 recon pilot in Vietnam. He was part of the 15th attack squadron know as the cotton pickers. Latter on during the Cold War he flew the SR 71.


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One of my teachers in middle school flew an F4 in Vietnam and was shot down, he says the F4 glides like a brick and had to punch out. Luckily a rescue chopper watched him get shot down and swooped in and picked them up almost as soon as they touched down.

 

[Danger Dave]

If one has the time, this guy has a pretty interesting write up on his hunt for the crash site of an A-12, which from my limited knowledge of aircraft, appears to be the predecessor of the SR-71 and not as well known. I ran across it awhile back while reading some of his search & rescue accounts. I figured there may be some here that may be interested in reading it, if nothing else for the historical aspect of it and its ties to the SR-71.

http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/...aces/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

That was a great read. I really enjoy that guys stories.

 

[Frankenmax]

One of my teachers in middle school flew an F4 in Vietnam and was shot down, he says the F4 glides like a brick and had to punch out. Luckily a rescue chopper watched him get shot down and swooped in and picked them up almost as soon as they touched down.

My grandfather was strictly recon. In my grandparents garage was an ejection seat from a F4 he flew. It was shot to hell with 30mm anti aircraft rounds. He tore up a few of the F4’s, he never put a plain down in war. He was hard core the only gun he carried was a colt python revolver. He was murder on June 17 in South America. He was shot down in the mountains flying a Lear jet of all things on a airport transfer after dropping off a high profile client. I was kid when it happened I remember my aunt telling me. I was on the phone with her I remember slamming my head threw the wall. It’s was the first major loss I had experienced. We where each other best friend. He took me flying all the time we where glued at the hip.


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[Sleek-Jet]

One of my teachers in middle school flew an F4 in Vietnam and was shot down, he says the F4 glides like a brick and had to punch out. Luckily a rescue chopper watched him get shot down and swooped in and picked them up almost as soon as they touched down.

Google up "Pardo's Push".

I was fortunate enough to know Bob Pardo, he personally signed a copy of the limited edition print of the event.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

75 Years of Skunkworks....Click on the e-book link.
Great reading.

http://aviationweek.com/

The Skunk Works is just so unique. I don't know how many leadership classes I've sat through or books I've read on my own about the success of the Skunk Works. Many companies have tried to emulate it and most have failed. Senior leadership can never give up total control to what amounts to a mid-level manager to run his own shop. Kelly Johnson was the right kind of unique personality at the right time to make it work and lay the ground work for its continued success.

 

[bowtiejunkie]

If one has the time, this guy has a pretty interesting write up on his hunt for the crash site of an A-12, which from my limited knowledge of aircraft, appears to be the predecessor of the SR-71 and not as well known. I ran across it awhile back while reading some of his search & rescue accounts. I figured there may be some here that may be interested in reading it, if nothing else for the historical aspect of it and its ties to the SR-71.

http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/...aces/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

thanks, I spent too much time reading that and trying to locate the crash site!! Lol. This document is a cool read: https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP71B00590R000100010001-4.pdf . There's a few CIA FOIA released docs that state the GPS coordinates, although, I noticed different coordinates on different documents. The one in this doc appear to be wrong.

This doc openly states returning article #125 (A-12 tail #928) to Area 51: https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0005632352.pdf . It appears the doc was released in 2001, but not created on CIA FOIA website until 2011 (supposedly, the CIA didn't release documents admitting to existence of Area 51 until 2013, although, some docs have been release in past that didn't have Area 51 re-dacted).

The story of finding A-12 Article #123 is a cool too. Considering those that found the sites used old school detective work, basically without the internet or any substantial CIA released docs.

Supposedly, some cameras of Article #125 were never recovered. Who’s ready to go searching?

 

[Sleek-Jet]

If one has the time, this guy has a pretty interesting write up on his hunt for the crash site of an A-12, which from my limited knowledge of aircraft, appears to be the predecessor of the SR-71 and not as well known. I ran across it awhile back while reading some of his search & rescue accounts. I figured there may be some here that may be interested in reading it, if nothing else for the historical aspect of it and its ties to the SR-71.

http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/...aces/bluefire-main/bluefire/the-hunt-for-928/

The A12 was built to replace the U2 for the CIA. It had one crew member (the pilot) and an upgraded camera similar to the U2. When the USAF took over the program, they wanted an electronics reconnaissance officer for expanded capability. He sits where the camera was on the A12. The CIA wanted to avoid the Gary Powers incident and this airframe was built for that purpose.

Much of the A12 program remains classified. The airframes were considerably lighter than the SR-71 and it is rumored they could easily beat the speed and altitude records the SR-71 has right now, but the missions are still under wraps so it won't happen.

 

[4Waters]

Great SR71 story, unfortunately it's not a video just audio.

 

[rivrrts429]

That was awesome and funny as hell. Thanks for sharing [emoji106]

 

[BajaMike]

Some of you guys might be interested in this group on Facebook....lots of great pictures and stories from some knowledgeable people.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Saw SR-71, and read the whole thing...and links. I'm a go-fast junkie from birth, so was always intrigued by them. I had a connection to them, but not in the cold-war/top gun way. My grandfather was a machinist, as in moved out to Burbank at the start of WWII. Over the years he worked at Aerojet, Rocketdyne and a couple others. He had worked on landing gear pieces and some kind of actuators for the project. This was all told to me by family, he passed away in 76, a year before I was born. In 2012, just before I left Ca, I took my boys to the March Air Museum. They were little, but it was a boys trip. I had no idea they had a Blackbird...When we walked through to the main building, my jaw dropped. The docent that was there that day had noticed me gawking, and walking around it. He explained he had been a crew member for these units. He "didn't notice" when ran my hand across the wing. It was as close to a time machine as I have ever had. My parents said I was just like my grandfather...stubborn, opinionated and mechanical. Archie Bunker meets fabricator... I only have a couple pics of him, but for that moment there was something tactile, real.

 

[Bear Down]

Saw SR-71, and read the whole thing...and links. I'm a go-fast junkie from birth, so was always intrigued by them. I had a connection to them, but not in the cold-war/top gun way. My grandfather was a machinist, as in moved out to Burbank at the start of WWII. Over the years he worked at Aerojet, Rocketdyne and a couple others. He had worked on landing gear pieces and some kind of actuators for the project. This was all told to me by family, he passed away in 76, a year before I was born. In 2012, just before I left Ca, I took my boys to the March Air Museum. They were little, but it was a boys trip. I had no idea they had a Blackbird...When we walked through to the main building, my jaw dropped. The docent that was there that day had noticed me gawking, and walking around it. He explained he had been a crew member for these units. He "didn't notice" when ran my hand across the wing. It was as close to a time machine as I have ever had. My parents said I was just like my grandfather...stubborn, opinionated and mechanical. Archie Bunker meets fabricator... I only have a couple pics of him, but for that moment there was something tactile, real.

went to an airshow in the 80's at March AFB, saw the blackbird fly and even got a sonic boom out of it. it was pretty awesome and have always been fascinated with aerospace. Wish I would have stuck with the engineering program I was accepted at with CAL POLY Pomona/CSUF/Embry-Riddle, one of those regrets in life due to being young and school lazy. Dumbass LOL..

 

[River Runnin]

When I was stationed on Oki with a couple Cobras (AH-1J's) at Kadena A/B, The Habu crew came over to check them out!... hell of a group!
On the second day out, we watched a 71 come out the hanger, go to full afterburn, and when he pulled the nose up! Went full vertical till out of sight!...a few hours later, a couple dozen or more jeeps, 6X’s, and mil-police lined the runway as out of nowhere one of them Habu’s (probably the one that took off) came in for the landing and was escorted straight back into the hanger!.... shortly after, the mil-police came over to where our ops were going on and was told it was illegal to take pics (thought they seen me take’n some) and assured them I hadn’t! .... A new camera at that! ...with real film! Lol.... but when I finally dig into storage, might be able to find an album with the pics I didn’t take!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Heard a story a few years back, and then again recently, about Skunk Works transporting the two A-12's. They were hauled via truck, with escort and tarped, up the 5 and out 14. There were all kinds of closures, and done at 0'dark-thirty. As the story goes, the only guy on the road was a farmer. As he happened upon this thing, the truck cut a corner too sharp(not hard with that load),and wrecked his farm truck. Story goes that they gave him a new truck, in exchange for his silence about what he had seen. Don't know if it's true, but a heck of a story. Farmer had to look at that haul and just think martian invasion!

 

[Hallett Dave]

Strongly suggest anyone in the area make a trip to the Pima Air & Space museum outside Tucson to see one of these girls up close.

-Zack

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up.
I have seen most every airplane fly at Edwards AFB.
We moved to Edwards in 1959.
I saw most every aircraft in the AF inventory fly.
We had the B-58 Hustler, SR-71, U2, XB-70, X15 and numerous lifting bodies prior to the Space Shuttle.
I came back to Edwards after college and 4 years in the AF as a Radar Controller in 1982.
The SR-71 was still flying out of Palmdale at that time then it was taken out of service.
The U-2 is still in service.
I was the lead Range Controller when the B-1 was put back into service.
I also was selected by NASA to vector one of their T-38s to safety chase the Shuttle for every landing at Edwards.
Edwards was a glorious place to grow up and eventually work.
Most all of the old test pilots are not with us anymore.
I retired from DoD DAF in 2017, however, I still stay in touch with a lot of the families.
I miss the work sometimes but I am proud to have bean a part of the great history of the Flight Test Center.
I knew all of Chuck Yeager's kids in high school.
And I also knew MS Pancho Barnes.
I hope I did not bore you and sorry for high jacking the thread.
HD

 

[rmarion]

the AMAZING part is.... what's up OUR sleeve, since our "ACE" has been played????????

a few years ago, there were many sonic boom's off So-Cal coast in the evening.....

 

[D19]

Very cool thread!

I watched this on the SR-71 a couple weeks ago.

 

[Sleek-Jet]