SR-71 The Sled Driver..
Discussion
Ex colleague of mine once told me about the time when he worked in air traffic control, watching all the civy sub-sonics leaving UK airspace out over the pond, closely spaced radar blips, then seeing the Blackbird, blips four to five times further apart than the rest.
For me that machine ranks right up there in the pioneering world of aviation.
That and Concorde - why do we seem to be taking steps backwards?
For me that machine ranks right up there in the pioneering world of aviation.
That and Concorde - why do we seem to be taking steps backwards?
rufusruffcutt said:
Thanks (& Jonny671) for the info. I'll shall make the effort then.
Back on topic: There is a good chapter on the SR-71 in Ben Rich's book "Skunk Works" and some other books by Paul F Crickmore, forgive me I can't remember the titles, but are an excellent read.
I have it on good authority from Mr Shul himself that the SR-71 at Duxford was a good bird to fly too. Back on topic: There is a good chapter on the SR-71 in Ben Rich's book "Skunk Works" and some other books by Paul F Crickmore, forgive me I can't remember the titles, but are an excellent read.
This book: Lockheed Blackbird Family: A-12, YF-12, D-21/M-21 and SR-71 Photo Scrapbook has some fantastic images of Blackbirds in it.
Chuck328 said:
Ex colleague of mine once told me about the time when he worked in air traffic control, watching all the civy sub-sonics leaving UK airspace out over the pond, closely spaced radar blips, then seeing the Blackbird, blips four to five times further apart than the rest.
For me that machine ranks right up there in the pioneering world of aviation.
That and Concorde - why do we seem to be taking steps backwards?
Because we aren't.For me that machine ranks right up there in the pioneering world of aviation.
That and Concorde - why do we seem to be taking steps backwards?
The markets determine what is needed for commercial aviation. Concorde was never really "needed" so its place in the commmercial aviation world was never assured. Military needs and politics determines what is need in military aviation.
The SR-71 has largely been replaced by all sorts of automated systems which are much more flexible and less costly to operate as well as safer in that they don't carry aircrew.
Satellite technology has moved on immensly since the days when the need for an aircraft like the SR-71 was first set out (1958-1960).
I love aircraft and can be thrilled at the sight and sound of impressive aircraft like the SR-71 and Concorde. But I also recognise that technology and commercial needs move on and new machines will come along to replace what has become obsolete. That was always the way of the world.
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 16th July 08:13
From a Commercial and Military point of view Eric, you're right but looking at aircraft development the SR 71 and Concorde remain at the pinnacle of aviation performance, there is no way their likes will be reproduced.
The success of the A380 will decide the future for commercial flight unless someone like Burt Rutan can find a way to advance cheap, high altitude flight and UAVs and satellites the future for military aircraft.
The success of the A380 will decide the future for commercial flight unless someone like Burt Rutan can find a way to advance cheap, high altitude flight and UAVs and satellites the future for military aircraft.
The real Apache said:
From a Commercial and Military point of view Eric, you're right but looking at aircraft development the SR 71 and Concorde remain at the pinnacle of aviation performance, there is no way their likes will be reproduced.
The success of the A380 will decide the future for commercial flight unless someone like Burt Rutan can find a way to advance cheap, high altitude flight and UAVs and satellites the future for military aircraft.
Not a fair statement at all. Compare the total performance envelope of modern fighters to those of Concorde's and the SR-71's era and they are left looking like one trick ponies. Despite what PH tells you speed doesn't always matter The success of the A380 will decide the future for commercial flight unless someone like Burt Rutan can find a way to advance cheap, high altitude flight and UAVs and satellites the future for military aircraft.
But its also about presence ... To be fair if your a Taliban, what is goign to scare you more ... a small single engined fighter, or a monster of a Strategic bomber blasting 50 feet off the floor ....
Aviation and technology has moved on, but Concorde, the SR-71, The Vulcan, The Victor all have presence... people can see them, identify with them, you feel the pressure wave of the exhaust thrust and the heat as they turn..
which, in my mind, stirr the heart a lot more than knowing there is a satellite up there looking down
Aviation and technology has moved on, but Concorde, the SR-71, The Vulcan, The Victor all have presence... people can see them, identify with them, you feel the pressure wave of the exhaust thrust and the heat as they turn..
which, in my mind, stirr the heart a lot more than knowing there is a satellite up there looking down
rhinochopig said:
The real Apache said:
From a Commercial and Military point of view Eric, you're right but looking at aircraft development the SR 71 and Concorde remain at the pinnacle of aviation performance, there is no way their likes will be reproduced.
The success of the A380 will decide the future for commercial flight unless someone like Burt Rutan can find a way to advance cheap, high altitude flight and UAVs and satellites the future for military aircraft.
Not a fair statement at all. Compare the total performance envelope of modern fighters to those of Concorde's and the SR-71's era and they are left looking like one trick ponies. Despite what PH tells you speed doesn't always matter The success of the A380 will decide the future for commercial flight unless someone like Burt Rutan can find a way to advance cheap, high altitude flight and UAVs and satellites the future for military aircraft.
I have copies of both Sled Driver & The Untouchables. Part of the appeal is that Schul is an excellent photographer, and his pics grace both books. I paid £10 for 'Sled' second-hand several years ago. I was slightly surprised that even the non-limited edition copies go for £££ now.
I have a couple of other books written by another Blackbird pilot, Richard Graham. 'SR-71 Blackbird: Tales, stories & legends' and 'Flying the SR-71 Blackbird'. Both go into as much detail as you could want about flying and operating it, with loads of 'war stories' from air & ground crews.
'The Smell of Kerosene' is an excellent free autobiography by a NASA test pilot called Don Mallick. He flew the SR71, YF12, and the XB70 Valkyrie amongst loads of others. Free to download here: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/pdf/88797main_k...
I'm lucky enough to have seen the Blackbird fly, at a couple of Mildenhall Air Fetes in the 80s. It was a spectacular, hugely noisy aeroplane. Had a nice engine surge while displaying one year, with accompanied 'kaboom' and flames out of the back.
I have a couple of other books written by another Blackbird pilot, Richard Graham. 'SR-71 Blackbird: Tales, stories & legends' and 'Flying the SR-71 Blackbird'. Both go into as much detail as you could want about flying and operating it, with loads of 'war stories' from air & ground crews.
'The Smell of Kerosene' is an excellent free autobiography by a NASA test pilot called Don Mallick. He flew the SR71, YF12, and the XB70 Valkyrie amongst loads of others. Free to download here: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/pdf/88797main_k...
I'm lucky enough to have seen the Blackbird fly, at a couple of Mildenhall Air Fetes in the 80s. It was a spectacular, hugely noisy aeroplane. Had a nice engine surge while displaying one year, with accompanied 'kaboom' and flames out of the back.
speedtwelve said:
I'm lucky enough to have seen the Blackbird fly, at a couple of Mildenhall Air Fetes in the 80s. It was a spectacular, hugely noisy aeroplane. Had a nice engine surge while displaying one year, with accompanied 'kaboom' and flames out of the back.
I had that pleasure as well. It was awe inspiring when I was a kid and I still feel the same way about it now.I used to get goosebumps just seeing a Blackbird on static display, so seeing it fly was quite a treat.
Edited by poprock on Friday 16th July 22:37
sidewayz said:
What I find amazing about about the SR71 was that it was designed by Kelly Johnson without any of the tools we take for granted today.No computers,no simulators and everything had to be designed to be right first time.Awesome achievement.
Technically though the SR-71 was an evolution of the earlier A-12, A-12A .. lots of problems gettign it right... a number of planes and test pilots were lost in the early years.The biggest development was the J58 engines, and the pressure suites I believe. (the suites, according to Wikipedia were later developed further for Space exploration)
I will agree with you though, the Design was almost right first time.
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