In 1968 (1967?) an SR-71 made an emergency landing at Grand Forks AFB and was "parked" between two B-52 hangers close to the N/S road that paralled the base runway. The aircraft was completely visible to anyone using the road. Immediately after landing, GFAFB security established machine gun "nests" close to the plane. The two man crew could not exit the plane until a C-130 arrived from Edwards AFB with the ground support equipment and aircraft technicians to evacuate the crew and "fix" whatever the problem(s) were. Of course, everyone on the base came to see the 71 and security had to control traffic. After the "fixes" were accomplished (two days?), the 71 exited the base heading north. A few minutes later it returned at a very low altitude at tremendous speed in a fly by. It was awesome and was probably witnessed by about everyone on the base.
Eye candy for people who like airplanes
Grab your beverage and relax for a few minutes of awesome beauty. The SR-71 was the creation of Kelly Johnson, Lockheed, Eisenhower and the Air Force. It was envisioned in the '50s, first flew in the early '60s, retired in the '80s, briefly brought back in the '90s.
In all, 13 units of the single seat A-12 were built, and 32 of the Pilot + Recon two seat SR-71 units were built. Five A-12 were lost, one is stored. Twelve two seaters were lost. The remaining 27 are on display around the USA . The closest is at Atwater , the old Castle AFB museum at Merced with 50 other classic warplanes. You probably have a better opportunity of viewing the one in San Diego . Ask me and I'll tell you where the others are. NY, OR, OH, D C, etc. I can find most answers to most questions. Just ask. Start
with the 2000+ mph, the 80,000 feet + altitude. More if you wish.
So enjoy. One more thing. The author of the captions to the picture in this video made one misstatement, due to youth. The U-2 Recon aircraft was created in 1955, flew operationally in 1956. Kelly thought the USSR would shoot it down in 18 months. Lucky us, it flew until Gary Powers was downed on 1 May 1960.
But Kelly Johnson already had the go-ahead from Ike for the A-12. It first flew in 1962, JFK kept the manufacture of it active. No one told LBJ, 'cause everyone knew he would spill the secret. He wasn't told til the week after JFK left us. And sure enough, LBJ gave out the secret in a matter of months.
Anyhow, the most interesting, most exciting five years of my life were spent in the program, as a KC-135 refueling pilot. Where the Blackbird went, we went. You will see several refuelings in the following.
Enjoy.
Click here to view the slideshow: http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/SR-71/index.htm
GO HERE for even more information.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
8 comments:
Thank you Joe for a very heart-warming story.A true AMERICAN can understand what the BLACKBIRD represented to this country , and to the world.I have forwarded this video to everyone I could possibly think of...I encourage others to do the same.
Awesome! I doubt the US could create anything like this again. Too much corruption and greed
Joe:
I had the pleasure of watching an SR-71 take off and land at Wallops Island here on the Eastern Shore in the early 1990's, a few years after their first "retirement" from active service according to the government at the time.
Talk about a thing of beauty.
I had seen a blackbird once before at Edwards AFB in California as a child but never as close as at Wallops and that was still a couple hundred yards away.
They have had one of those big gliders, the U-2 stationed at Wallops for decades it seems like and I have seen that bird take off and land more times than I can remember.
If there was one airplane I would like to ride in its a Blackbird, but that ain't gonna happen for me.
There is a Blackbird on display at the Air and Space Museum Annex out near Dulles. Awesome display of historic aircraft. To be able to walk around that, under a Concorde and see the entire Enola Gay is incredible.
I'm sure it is a plane capable of killing a lot of people very efficiently. Great! Go America!
Awsone video,GOD BLESS OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN
Anon 12:33-if I remember correctly it was a spy plane-not a bomber or fighter. However it it keeps my country safe and has to kill people in the process I am all for it!
12:33- smart ass hippie....That aircraft is part of the reason you have the right to criticize your government. Now go smoke another one, idiot!
A great read for any aviation buff is "Flying the SR-71 Blackbird: In the cockpit on a secret mission." by Lt. Col. Richard Graham, USAF (Ret.) He was one of the pilots in the program, and later an SR-71 Detachment head. The book takes you through a flight, from beginning to end, and includes all of the mission planning, pre-flight check procedures, and each and every aspect of the flight from engine start to engine stop. GREAT BOOK. You hippies and democrats wouldnt like it though- it's about an aircraft that represents FREEDOM!
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