SR-71 Blackbird

Hey Geeks! Here you can read all SR-71 Blackbird stories published on The Aviation Geek Club site.

Last of only six pilots to fly the A-12 for the CIA legendary Oxcart program passed away

Last of only six pilots to fly the A-12 for the CIA legendary Oxcart program passed away

Frank Murray, the last of only six pilots to fly the A-12 for the CIA legendary Oxcart program, passed away… Read More

3 hours ago

The story of Marta Bohn-Meyer, the only woman to fly in the SR-71 Blackbird as a crewmember

The only other woman to have flown aboard the legendary SR-71 Blackbird was Congresswoman Beverly Byron who rode as a… Read More

2 days ago

Here’s why SR-71 Blackbird Tires were Silver and why were Changed after 10 Takeoffs

Even though the tires could last for approximately 15 full-stop landings SR-71 Blackbird tires were changed after 10 takeoffs. CLICK… Read More

6 days ago

Did you know the solid quartz glass of the canopy of the SR-71 Blackbird cockpit was 1.25 inches thick and was hot to the touch from the inside?

SR-71 Blackbird Pilots and RSOs, even with gloves on, couldn’t keep their hands by the glass for more than a… Read More

2 weeks ago

Ghosts of Groom Lake: the story of the F-101 Voodoo aircraft tasked to support the then top-secret A-12 program test flights at Area 51

In addition to their A-12 chase and training duties, these F-101 Voodoos were tasked with the interception of any unauthorized… Read More

2 weeks ago

Did you know? To keep the A-12 project secret CIA stored in boxes Oxcart spy planes and moved them from Skunk Works production site to Area 51

Since the CIA wanted to keep the A-12 project secret, it determined that the Oxcart could not be tested at… Read More

4 weeks ago

Here’s why Soviets never developed their own SR-71 and why the MiG-25 Foxbat was never as fast as the Blackbird

The Soviets did not have the technology to make blades that could tolerate as high temperatures as the J58 turbine.… Read More

1 month ago

Here’s What’s Probably the Slowest Speed Ever Recorded by a Lockheed Blackbird

The backseater later indicated slow speed of 155 knots, pilot saw 152 knots or 175 mph. The SR-71 at that… Read More

1 month ago

The story of the former SR-71 Blackbird pilot who became the first NATO serviceman to fly a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bomber

On Aug. 22, 2001 Lt.-Gen. Thomas J. Keck, Commander of the USAF's 8th Air Force and former SR-71 Blackbird pilot… Read More

1 month ago

SR-71 Pilot tells the story of when he revealed Blackbird’s True Top Speed

‘At some point in the evening, the F-111 guys began to press me, in a good-natured way, for classified information… Read More

2 months ago

Two little Dents placed on the Nose of the Blackbird prevented Surface-to-air Missiles from Scoring any Hit on the SR-71. Here’s how.

They aren’t dents, they were put there on purpose for the more advanced ECM systems the SR-71 Blackbird got in… Read More

2 months ago

SR-71 Vs A-12: project Nice Girl, the recon fly off between the Blackbird and the Oxcart and why the SR-71 was chosen over the A-12

From Oct. 20 to Nov. 3, 1967 the A-12 and the SR-71 were pitted against each other in a recon… Read More

2 months ago

Here’s why SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3 spy plane’s titanium parts made in summer corroded while those made in winter didn’t

The SR-71 Blackbird airframes were built almost entirely of titanium and other exotic alloys to withstand heat generated by sustained… Read More

2 months ago

Tomcat RIO tells the story of when he and his Pilot flew to Beale AFB in their F-14 to discuss “operational matters” with SR-71 Blackbird crews

“We learned about the SR-71’s missions and capabilities. The SR-71 crews were very professional, and they respected us fighter pukes… Read More

3 months ago

The Most Secret Program ever developed by famed Lockheed Skunk Works was not the SR-71 Blackbird, but the D-21 Drone and project Senior Bowl

At Beale AFB, in California, you would think that the SR-71 Blackbird program would be the biggest blackest deepest secret.… Read More

3 months ago

These unique SR-71 Blackbird Cockpit photos show why no cockpit demands as much intense focus as a Habu’s

“The SR-71 Blackbird knew when your eyes started to wander to the spectacle of earth from 85,000 feet; that’s when… Read More

3 months ago