The CIA’s Legendary Blackbird Was Actually the First Stealth Warplane

[Onkel Neal]

Nice article about the SR-71. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/03/the-cia-s-legendary-blackbird-was-actually-the-first-stealth-warplane.html) I got to see one at an air show and a couple of stationary ones at museums, very impressive. If I was a rich tycoon this would be my private charter. "Oh hello, King of England, fancy a spot of tea? I'll be right over." VROOM! 3 hours later I'm there, parachuting in.:D

[NeonSamurai]

I'm afraid the Germans beat them to the mark by about 22 years when it comes to stealth planes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229

Not that the SR-71 wasn't an absolutely incredible plane.

[Oberon]

Well, stealth is not just one thing, it's a whole load of things put together to reduce the RCS to the smallest as possible. The Vulcan had a very small RCS compared to its size, because of its shape, also had a ridiculous flight model. Of course, if you're knocking down the RCS but still have a strong IR signature then IR SAMs are going to come and say hi, something like the AQM-91 and B2 are truly stealthy having both a reduced RCS and IR signature.
I have no idea what the SR-71s IR signature is like, but I don't think it would be particularly small given the size of those engines, but when you're doing stupid miles per hour faster than the SAMs that the Soviets are sending up and also cruising higher than most interceptors can reach then it no longer becomes a problem. :haha:

[Onkel Neal]

Yeah, can you imagine what it was like to be one of the pilots? wow :)

[Jimbuna]

A truly incredible aircraft :sunny:

This is the one from the IWM Duxford showing one of my friends actually touching it. I got my touch in next but my friend didn't take a picture nor did he inform me of the fact until we were travelling back home in the car :stare:

http://i.imgur.com/RP3hWn4.jpg

[Aktungbby]

Yeah, can you imagine what it was like to be one of the pilots? wow :) FRONT SEAT: http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/cockpits/CW_tour/CW-30.html (http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/cockpits/CW_tour/CW-30.html) REAR SEAT:http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/cockpits/CW_tour/CW-31.html (http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/cockpits/CW_tour/CW-31.html) AND just about any other aircraft you've an urge to fly on a Monday morning!: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/VirtualTour/Cockpit360.aspx (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/VirtualTour/Cockpit360.aspx) THis BBY is at the Greenville Aviation Museum in McMinnville OR(home of the Spruce Goose) where my daughter was an archivist; enroute to her Masters in Museum Science: http://www.sr-71.org/photogallery/blackbird/17971/evergreen/ (http://www.sr-71.org/photogallery/blackbird/17971/evergreen/) http://www.sr-71.org/photogallery/blackbird/17971/evergreen/index.php?img=17971-2006-02.jpg

[mapuc]

I know this SR-71 have been used some movies one them was D.A.R.Y.L

I am like you amazed about this plane.

Markus

[AndyJWest]

My favourite SR-71 story: :eek:
http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/speed-is-life/#.V_KB8OArKUk

[Oberon]

There's a fascinating account about a pilot who survived his SR-71 falling apart around him, when you're on the edge of the flight envelope then when trouble strikes you don't get much warning.

https://theaviationist.com/2015/03/17/sr-71-mid-air-disintegration/

[Subnuts]

The SR-71 flight manual (all 1,000 pages of it!) has been republished with commentary by SR-71 pilot Richard Graham, and is available on Amazon for $42.

Trying to decide if I want to throw some of my "funny money" at it...:hmm2:

[Sailor Steve]

Actually the first stealth aircraft was likely this:
https://elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/fokker-e-iii-cellon-crystalline-fiasco/

[Aktungbby]

Of some interest perhps: Even if claiming that the MiG-31 was one of the causes of the SR-71 retirement is a bit far fetched, it is safe to say that towards the end of the career of the legendary spyplane, Russians proved to have developed tactics that could put the Blackbird at risk (https://theaviationist.com/2013/09/01/declassified-sr-71-mix/).
The Mig-31 is still in service, but the SR-71 successor, dubbed SR-72 (https://theaviationist.com/2013/11/01/sr-72-unveiled/) and capable to reach Mach 6, should be quite safe at hypersonic speed. https://theaviationist.com/2013/12/11/sr-71-vs-mig-31/ (https://theaviationist.com/2013/12/11/sr-71-vs-mig-31/) https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SR-72-low.jpghttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2594839/Could-SR-72-Aviation-expert-claims-mysterious-object-photographed-flying-Texas-spy-plane-designed-cross-country-hour.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2594839/Could-SR-72-Aviation-expert-claims-mysterious-object-photographed-flying-Texas-spy-plane-designed-cross-country-hour.html) The pilotless SR-72, an aircraft being designed to fly at six times the speed of sound, will be able to cross an entire continent in less than an hour, according to Lockheed Martin.:k_confused:(who really needs people!:03:)

[Mr Quatro]

I like this one the A-12R "Double headed eagle"

http://67.media.tumblr.com/29ea21a1f8c9355eef7925c03c07171e/tumblr_msn7vgjqcX1qdkeiao1_500.jpg

The A-12 was produced from 1962 to 1964, and operated from 1963 to 1968. It was the precursor to the twin-seat U.S. Air Force YF-12 prototype interceptor, M-21 drone launcher, and the SR-71 Blackbird, a slightly longer variation able to carry a heavier fuel and camera load.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_A-12

[AndyJWest]

I like this one the A-12R "Double headed eagle"

Photoshop: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/1xqZ

Why would anyone build something twice the weight with only 50% more power ?

[Rockstar]

I was looking at the rear seat virtual tour. Laughed when I came across the warning light indicating "pilot ejected" I reckon visabilty wasnt all that great in the backseat.

[Oberon]

I was looking at the rear seat virtual tour. Laughed when I came across the warning light indicating "pilot ejected" I reckon visabilty wasnt all that great in the backseat.

“It was my first flight since the accident, so a flight test engineer in the back seat was probably a little apprehensive about my state of mind and confidence. As we roared down the runway and lifted off, I heard an anxious voice over the intercom. “Bill! Bill! Are you there?” “Yeah George. What’s the matter?” “Thank God! I thought you might have left.” The rear cockpit of the SR-71 has no forward visibility – only a small window on each side – and George couldn’t see me. A big red light on the master-warning panel in the rear seat had illuminated just as we rotated, stating: “Pilot Ejected”. Fortunately, the cause was a misadjusted micro switch, not my departure.”