The Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” was a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. Renowned American aerospace engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson was responsible for many of the design’s innovative concepts.
During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile. The SR-71 was designed to have basic stealth characteristics and served as a precursor to future stealth aircraft.The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.
The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including Blackbird and Habu. It has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft since 1976; this record was previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12.
When the SR-71 was retired in 1990, one Blackbird was flown from its birthplace at United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale California to go on exhibit at what is now the Smithsonian Institution’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Centre in Chantilly Virginia.
On 28 July 1976 SR-71, serial number 61-7958, set an absolute speed record of 1,905.81 knots (2,193.2 mph; 3,529.6 km/h), approximately Mach 3.3. However an SR-71 pilot Brian Shul states in his book The Untouchables that he flew in excess of Mach 3.5 on 15 April 1986 over Libya to evade a missile !
On 6 March 1990, Lt. Col. Raymond E. “Ed” Yielding and Lt. Col. Joseph T. “JT” Vida piloted SR-71 S/N 61-7972 on its final Senior Crown flight and set four new speed records in the process.
Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., distance 2,299.7 miles (3,701.0 km), average speed 2,144.8 miles per hour (3,451.7 km/h), and an elapsed time of 64 minutes 20 seconds.
- West Coast to East Coast distance 2,404 miles (3,869 km), average speed 2,124.5 miles per hour (3,419.1 km/h), and an elapsed time of 67 minutes 54 seconds.
- Kansas City to Washington, D.C., distance 942 miles (1,516 km), average speed 2,176 miles per hour (3,502 km/h), and an elapsed time of 25 minutes 59 seconds.
- St Louis to Cincinnati, distance 311.4 miles (501.1 km), average speed 2,189.9 miles per hour (3,524.3 km/h), and an elapsed time of 8 minutes 32 seconds.
These four speed records were accepted by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the recognized body for aviation records in the United States. Additionally, Air & Space reported that the Air Force clocked the Blackbird at one point in its flight reaching 2,242.48 mph.
SR-71, serial number 61-7958 has been released by Century Wings and is now available from Flying Tigers to Pre-Order. The expected arrival date is at the end of September and very few will make it to the U.K. Please order early to avoid disappointment. RRP is £129.99 and is available from Flying Tigers at only £109.99 with NO DEPOSIT to pay !
Last week’s Activity at Sywell Aerodrome the home of “Flying Tigers”
It has been a busy week at Sywell recently. We have been fortunate to see quite a bit of activity with our resident Aerobatic Team “The Blades ” and also two companies operating their corporate and pleasure flights from their base here at exactly the same time. There was a very brisk “trade” with aircraft taking off and landing all day.
Firstly Carloyn Grace’s Two Seat Spitfire ML407 (featured in our Squadron Dispatches Newsletter on 7th August) and also Aero Legends operating yet another Two seat Spitfire PV202 ( Squadron Dispatches Newsletter on 19th June) , alongside their Harvard and Tiger Moth.
I managed to get a few shots of the activity when I visited the airfield during my lunch break. I hope you like them and it gives you a feel for the day’s activities. You will see in one shot 2 two Seat Spitfires passing each other picking up and dropping off “trade” !
Bank Holiday Weekend Offer !
In addition to the already very low Sale Prices on the Battle of Britain Hobbymaster 1/48th scale Spitfires, for this Bank Holiday weekend only, there will be an additional 10% off marked prices.Offer ends midnight Monday the 31st of August 2015. Please order in the normal way and when Flying Tigers takes your credit card or PayPal payment, 10% will be deducted from your invoice and payment.Please click on the images below and it will take you straight to the models available.
Bank Holiday Weekend Offer !
All Hobbymaster Airliners which are already at very low offer prices will have an additional 10% off marked prices. Again this offer is limited to this Bank holiday weekend.Offer ends midnight Monday the 31st of August 2015. Please order in the normal way and when Flying Tigers takes your credit card or PayPal payment, 10% will be deducted from your invoice and payment.Please click on the image below and it will take you straight to the models available.
Bank Holiday Weekend Offer !
All Hobbymaster and other Diecast Vehicles which are already at very low offer prices will have an additional 10% off marked prices. Again this offer is limited to this Bank holiday weekend.Offer ends midnight Monday the 31st of August 2015. Please order in the normal way and when Flying Tigers takes your credit card or PayPal payment, 10% will be deducted from your invoice and payment.Please click on the image below and it will take you straight to the models available.
Thank you for taking time to read this week’s Newsletter and I hope you all have a great Bank holiday weekend break!
Richard.
Flying Tigers.
