SR71 sled geeks your trousers may move on their own

[EricKeller]

I would go to engine accessory contractors back before the SR71 tech was declassified, and I could always pick out the parts for that engine. For one thing, they wouldn't say what engine the parts went on. I was really surprised when I saw one of the engines sitting in the open at Pratt, it had just been declassified. I was sitting on my couch in Dayton when one flew over in the late '80s, the sonic boom was unmistakable. They set some records that day

[Mabouya]

XB70 rear end...

One of the coolest aircraft ever. That alone makes a trip to the Edwards AFB museum worth the trip. (Dayton OH)

[Ignignokt]

061122-F-1234P-015.jpg

Must be crazy to see in person...that is one big, fast plane.

[BShow]

061122-F-1234P-015.jpg

Must be crazy to see in person...that is one big, fast plane.

That's an XB70. It's easily twice the size of the SR71 and I believe is a bomber. The SR71 was sent on recon missions.
This is an SR71...
sr71udvarhazy.jpg

[coffeecake]

Ben Rich's book is really good. The SR-71 is really a marvelous aircraft for all the reasons mentioned: designed before the existence of advanced computational tools, delivered quickly to the customer, and of course ground-breaking technology with which the Soviets could not compete.

My favorite thing that I read about the SR-71 is that when Soviet jets attempted to intercept the aircraft, they would flame out around 55,000 ft and thus the SR-71 had essentially a free pass to take surveillance photos.

[BShow]

That's an XB70. It's easily twice the size of the SR71 and I believe is a bomber. The SR71 was sent on recon missions.
This is an SR71...

Edit: Sorry... I just realized that we were talking about both aircraft in this thread. My mistake!

[BShow]

Dude. the book Sled Driver by Brian Shul, referenced above was published in limited quantites and previously enjoyed copies now sell for several hundred dollars. I'd like to read it, but holy crap... my kids gotta eat.

[MDEnvEngr]

Dude. the book Sled Driver by Brian Shul, referenced above was published in limited quantites and previously enjoyed copies now sell for several hundred dollars. I'd like to read it, but holy crap... my kids gotta eat.

Same here! I thought this would be a great gift for my Pops, who is a USAF guy and just returned from the museum. Then I saw $420 on Amazon! Wow!

[Mike Mcdermid]

Dude. the book Sled Driver by Brian Shul, referenced above was published in limited quantites and previously enjoyed copies now sell for several hundred dollars. I'd like to read it, but holy crap... my kids gotta eat.

you kids can still eat http://mirror.xwl.me/Sled%20Driver.pdf and if they take it down...send me a PM

[BShow]

you kids can still eat http://mirror.xwl.me/Sled%20Driver.pdf and if they take it down...send me a PM

Awesome! Thanks Mike!

[djm323]

The remaining XB-70 will be more easily seen once the NMUSAF completes its expansion. It could only be viewed during limited times in the R & D Gallery hangar on the Wright-Patterson AFB grounds and it is crammed in with many other rare aircraft.

XB-701.jpgXB-704.jpg

[Mabouya]

The remaining XB-70 will be more easily seen once the NMUSAF completes its expansion. It could only be viewed during limited times in the R & D Gallery hangar on the Wright-Patterson AFB grounds and it is crammed in with many other rare aircraft.

I just realized I made a mistake above - I said EAFB, I should have said WPAFB.

[BShow]

SO I finally read the book this morning (Thanks Mike!). The story quoted above has more embellishment and details than the same story in the book. Is it from a different text?

[Mr B]

I honestly don't know - it came to me via an old SR-71 thread on a car forum.

[EricKeller]

the XB-70 really made an impression on me when I was a kid. Then I grew up and found out why they didn't go into production. I'm glad to see they have it inside now. I went to a dinner where one of the managers of the Air Force museum gave a talk. When they moved the museum from the old building near the active flight line to Area B on WPAFB, they had to take everything across a bridge on Rte 444. The XB-70 exceeded the weight limit of the bridge, so they went fast.

The SR71 was a really impressive aircraft to see in person. I think I actually saw the YF12 at the museum. That is a funny story about politicians, LBJ was a hoot sometimes.

I always think it's interesting that the U2 is still flying but the SR71 isn't. Everyone assumed that they have something to replace the SR71, but if so, that's a really well guarded secret.

[Saab2000]

I saw an SR-71 flying once in 1988 or 1989. It was at the EAA air show in Oshkosh, WI and while I wasn't at the show the I saw it fly over our house in Appleton, about 25 miles north. It was a hot and hazy day and it came out of nowhere, was visible for a few seconds and then was gone. This was probably at 1000'-1500' AGL. It was definitely kickass to see.

Most of the instruments and controls in the flight deck pictured are standard IFR instruments in any airplane but there are a couple things that are unknown to me.

The military contractors have sure dreamt up some neat machines. They all seem to be outdated now by satellites and cruise missiles and other technology. These airplanes have their origins in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Another factoid: the SR-71 was unarmed. It was a spy plane, pure and simple and was designed to outrun chasers and not to engage them.

[Mike Mcdermid]

. Everyone assumed that they have something to replace the SR71, but if so, that's a really well guarded secret.

I think that's the x37b publicly no one knows what it does but it spends 2 years in space then comes back on its own

the U2 replacement is the global hawk both are drones it seems

When skynet becomes real.......

[maunahaole]

More pics for your aircraft spank bank.

Rare photos of the SR-71 Blackbird show its amazing history

[Ignignokt]

Something that seems to be over looked with this plane is the insane loss rate.

20 out of the 32 planes were lost to accidents/crashes.

[EricKeller]

I'm not really surprised at that given the plane's mission and longevity.