SR-71

Here’s why the SR-71 inlets had to be labeled “L” and “R” and why the Blackbird had engine and afterburner fuel control cable pulleys

Here’s why the SR-71 inlets had to be labeled “L” and “R” and why the Blackbird had engine and afterburner fuel control cable pulleys

The SR-71 engineering was so cutting edge that even the tools to build the Blackbird needed to be designed from… Read More

3 days ago

SR-71 pilot Brian Shul, famous for his ground speed check story, passed away while giving speech about the Blackbird

SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul suddenly died in the night of May 20, 2023 in Reno, Nevada, at age 75,… Read More

1 week ago

SR-71 Pilot explains why the only SAM that had chance to hit the Blackbird was a Nuclear S-300 fired ahead of the Habu

‘One of the real highlights of flying above Mach 3 and above 80,000 feet is nobody is up there with… Read More

2 weeks ago

SR-71 pilot explains why the F-15 radar couldn’t see the Blackbird during Eagle Bait sorties

‘One of the interesting discoveries from the Eagle Bait was that F-15s couldn’t even find us when everything was shut… Read More

2 weeks ago

Habu Pilot reveals why the Blackbird had to refuel after takeoff (it’s not because the SR-71 leaked fuel)

No story on the SR-71 would be complete without an understanding and appreciation of just how valuable the KC-135Q model… Read More

3 weeks ago

SR-71 Blackbird Pilot recalls When He Buzzed the Tower of Sacramento Airport with the Afterburners Lit

‘“Beautiful, beautiful, come back and do another one,” the tower controller said,’ Maury Rosenberg, SR-71 Blackbird pilot. CLICK HERE to buy… Read More

1 month ago

When the SR-71 was getting low on gas, its crew members pressure suits started to warm up. So aboard the Blackbird the fuel was used as heat sink. Here’s how.

SR-71 Blackbird crew members have said that they sometimes came down looking for a tanker, not so much because they… Read More

1 month ago

Did you know the SR-71 had to Light one Afterburner during Aerial Refueling? Blackbird Pilot explains why

“In military power, we would start to fall off the boom. The solution was to light one afterburner with careful… Read More

1 month ago

Here’s why SR-71A #61-7959 was the only Blackbird to feature special “Big Tail”

The new ‘Big Tail’ assembly would be 13 feet 9 inches long and weigh 1,273 lbs. with 49 cubic feet… Read More

1 month ago

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

2 months ago

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

2 months 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 months 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

3 months ago

SR-71 crew members tell the story of when Blackbird did ’13 Fireballs’ during an air show and explain why Triethylborane was used to ignite JP-7 for engine start and to light the afterburner section

‘To ignite the JP-7 for engine start, and to light the afterburner section, a liquid chemical ignition system was used.… Read More

3 months 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

3 months 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

3 months ago
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