Since public displays were incredibly rare for the SR-71 Blackbird, the opportunity to see the legendary jet drew quite a crowd.
Taken in August 1986, the cool video in this post shows an SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3 spy plane performing at Abbotsford Air Show, in British Columbia, Canada.
The SR-71 visited the Abbotsford Air Show in 1986, in conjunction with Expo 86 held in Vancouver, B.C.
Since public displays were incredibly rare for the Habu, the opportunity to see the legendary jet drew quite a crowd.
Operated by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) from U.S.and select NATO air bases, the SR-71 was capable of speeds in excess of mach 3+(2,200 mph+) and 85,000 feet.
SR-71A Blackbird 61-7972 “Skunkworks”
The Blackbird was the most capable platform for strategic reconnaissance. It’s ability to launch to a specific target and return with the required intelligence in a matter of hours was unsurpassed by any other platform or country.
The SR-71 was developed by the infamous Lockheed Skunk Works and the primary construction material was a Titanium alloy. The two Pratt & Whitney J-58-P4/32,500 lb. thrust engines had aerospikes at the inlet of the engine.
The spikes moved in and out in order to control the airflow through the engine during the transition from subsonic to supersonic speeds. This feature, coupled with the afterburners unique design, allowed the SR-71 to cruise in continuous afterburner with a high degree of efficiency.
Photo credit: Mike Freer via Wikipedia
