LOCKHEED SR-71A

SR-71 Blackbird

The National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio also houses an SR-71 Blackbird.

Design of this aircraft began before Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Russia in May of 1960.  Some believed the U-2 was vulnerable and it was.  What was needed was a spy plane which could fly higher and faster than the missiles.  This plane could do it.  It flew at Mach 3+ and 90,000 feet.  Its first flight occurred in Dec. 1964.

SR-71 Blackbird

This particular variant was a two seater.  It had what appear to be small wings and the fuselage was wide and convex on the bottom as did all variants.

The plane was considered for use as an interceptor and a bomber as well as its surveillance role. 

SR-71 Blackbird Pitot Tube

  The pitot tube extended into the undisturbed air flow to tell the computer if the plane was stable in pitch and yaw.  The computer kept the plane stable.  The pilot made suggestions through stick movement to the computer as to what he wanted to do.

This plane was designed in the late 1950's, just a little over ten years after the end of WWII!  It was built of titanium and required special machines to work it.  It's fuel tank would leak before takeoff until it warmed up from the air passing over it.  It would then refuel in flight before its mission.

This plane cruised at Mach 3+ not subsonic like many planes.  It got its best fuel mileage at that speed.  The limiting factor for speed was the skin temperature.  If the skin was below a certain temperature, the plane would speed up to use less fuel.   

More tomorrow!

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