Comments on: 10 Cool Things You May Not Know About The Museum's Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

By: Michelle Annette McCLURE

Michelle Annette McCLURE — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:14:45 +0000

I have always loved the Blackbird, but until I actually saw one in the flesh right in front of me, all I can say is WOW!! They are much bigger than I could have ever imagined. And much more beautiful. I love every thing about them.Just stunning. Cheers, Michelle McClure, from Windsor in Australia.

By: Rick Barnes

Rick Barnes — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:35:49 +0000

In 1978-79, I was stationed at Camp Makiminato, north of Naha, on Okinawa. We would often see the “habu,” as it was known. It flew out of Kadena, AFB miles north of us. And looked like Black Death flying so low overhead.
The indigenous habu snake is poisonous. YATYAS

By: CP

CP — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:40:26 +0000

Good Transformer = AUTOBOT … just a little movie trivia for you…

By: Dave F

Dave F — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:38:37 +0000

I was a boom operator stationed at Edwards where we supported the NASA Dryden SR-71 fleet.

One of our missions was air refueling the SR-71 modified with the LASRE (Linear Aerospike Rocket Engine).

Impressive to see all that stuff on its back.

By: Paulo M

Paulo M — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:54:47 +0000

Awesome piece!

Although the Concorde was slower than the SR-71, no other a/c could fly as fast for as long – but that was because it was larger, had greater fuel capacity.

Interesting reading about the SR-71′s engine intakes, although the design was unique to the Blackbird, the concept is commonplace on jet fighters, and has only two commercial applications – on the Concorde and Tu-144.

By: Fun, News by rustythecat - Pearltrees

Fun, News by rustythecat - Pearltrees — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:28:38 +0000

[...] 10 Cool Things You May Not Know About The Museum's Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird « AirSpace Skunk Works logo on Museum's SR-71. Photo #2005-6014 by Dane Penland, , National Air and Space Museum. Learn more about the Museum’s Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird . [...]

By: james

james — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:55:26 +0000

another interesting fact about the BLACKBIRD, ALL the titanium that the program used was bought by kelly johnson from the russians. they had the majority of the worlds titanium at the time the 71 was being built.

By: Air Enthusiast

Air Enthusiast — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:42:19 +0000

Awesome plane – shame they will never fly again

By: Max

Max — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:37:32 +0000

Some things written here are actually applicable to other planes.

The supersonic air needs to ALWAYS be slowed down to subsonic speed before being allowed into the inlet. Hence the cones in the intakes. Much like MiG-21. The cones actually move back/forth according to speed.

At high speeds the engines become RAMJET. Main combustion chamber is actually shut down and turbine is not even working. Only afterburner chamber is engaged.

By: ck

ck — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:00:22 +0000

SR-71 is OK, but nothing beats an A-12! (Which really holds the world record for speed and altitude- it was just classified until a few years ago)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXi7LkNipdc

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/a-12/index.html