SR-71 The Sled Driver..
Discussion
neil_bolton said:
Just managed to get a copy of Sled Driver myself, and all of Rich Graham's books.
Simply stunning.
Some of the information is pretty interesting, especially from an dynamics and aerothermal point of view. I never realised that the planes flight envelope was actually so small when you look at dynamic pressure (180Knts (landing) to 450Knts (cruis) KEAS), and that the maximum angle of attack for the airframe when supersonic was only 7 degrees. Also, the fact that the engine (intake) and flight controls were Analogue untill a major upgrade in the early 1980's. One thing i do know is that analogue electronics do not like changing temperatures, and here they are running in a plabne that even manages to get it's fuel tanks up to something like 300degC......Simply stunning.
When you read about the support required though it becomes a bit silly, the SR-71 had a fleet of 35 KC135 tankers just to support something like 5 active aircraft. God know's what the US taxpayer ended up spending on that program??
my dad got me a copy from the library last monday, only took a 2 week wait. Very good read well worth the effort, have it until the 28th and can extend once if needed.
tottaly engrossing read it this evening, think i may have to get a camera out with a macro setting!
not sure i'd be paying the £400 for it though.
tottaly engrossing read it this evening, think i may have to get a camera out with a macro setting!
not sure i'd be paying the £400 for it though.
If anyone is around Duxford this coming Sunday you may be interested in this:
Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be returning to Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 20 March.
At 11.00am, Colonel Graham will host a brand new lecture in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.
Colonel Graham will talk about his experiences flying civilian and military aircraft, comparing the Cessna 172, Cessna T-37, Lockheed T-33, the Northrop T-38 Talon, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Lockheed U-2, the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.
Following the lecture, Colonel Graham will take questions and will sign books.
Please note that the Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 2.00pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.
Following the tours, there will be the opportunity for book signings and for Colonel Graham to answer your questions.
Both events are on Sunday 20 March and are included in the standard admission price to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
For more information on this or other events, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
As for Sled Driver, I am eternally grateful to Cambridge University Library for having a copy!
Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be returning to Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 20 March.
At 11.00am, Colonel Graham will host a brand new lecture in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.
Colonel Graham will talk about his experiences flying civilian and military aircraft, comparing the Cessna 172, Cessna T-37, Lockheed T-33, the Northrop T-38 Talon, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Lockheed U-2, the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.
Following the lecture, Colonel Graham will take questions and will sign books.
Please note that the Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 2.00pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.
Following the tours, there will be the opportunity for book signings and for Colonel Graham to answer your questions.
Both events are on Sunday 20 March and are included in the standard admission price to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
For more information on this or other events, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
As for Sled Driver, I am eternally grateful to Cambridge University Library for having a copy!
youngsod said:
If anyone is around Duxford this coming Sunday you may be interested in this:
Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be returning to Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 20 March.
At 11.00am, Colonel Graham will host a brand new lecture in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.
Colonel Graham will talk about his experiences flying civilian and military aircraft, comparing the Cessna 172, Cessna T-37, Lockheed T-33, the Northrop T-38 Talon, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Lockheed U-2, the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.
Following the lecture, Colonel Graham will take questions and will sign books.
Please note that the Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 2.00pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.
Following the tours, there will be the opportunity for book signings and for Colonel Graham to answer your questions.
Both events are on Sunday 20 March and are included in the standard admission price to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
For more information on this or other events, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
As for Sled Driver, I am eternally grateful to Cambridge University Library for having a copy!
shhhhhh, don't tell anyone! Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be returning to Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 20 March.
At 11.00am, Colonel Graham will host a brand new lecture in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.
Colonel Graham will talk about his experiences flying civilian and military aircraft, comparing the Cessna 172, Cessna T-37, Lockheed T-33, the Northrop T-38 Talon, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Lockheed U-2, the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.
Following the lecture, Colonel Graham will take questions and will sign books.
Please note that the Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 2.00pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.
Following the tours, there will be the opportunity for book signings and for Colonel Graham to answer your questions.
Both events are on Sunday 20 March and are included in the standard admission price to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
For more information on this or other events, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
As for Sled Driver, I am eternally grateful to Cambridge University Library for having a copy!
ALawson said:
My other half bought me a copy when it was first published, and she asked Brian Shul to sign it for me (which he did, and with a personal note - which was nice). It now sits alongside my slightly dog-eared original copy, but tucked safely inside its presentation case, along with its certificate of authenticity and SR-71 patch.
youngsod said:
If anyone is around Duxford this coming Sunday you may be interested in this:
Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be returning to Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 20 March.
At 11.00am, Colonel Graham will host a brand new lecture in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.
Colonel Graham will talk about his experiences flying civilian and military aircraft, comparing the Cessna 172, Cessna T-37, Lockheed T-33, the Northrop T-38 Talon, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Lockheed U-2, the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.
Following the lecture, Colonel Graham will take questions and will sign books.
Please note that the Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 2.00pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.
Following the tours, there will be the opportunity for book signings and for Colonel Graham to answer your questions.
Both events are on Sunday 20 March and are included in the standard admission price to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
For more information on this or other events, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
As for Sled Driver, I am eternally grateful to Cambridge University Library for having a copy!
Have to bump this thread as yesterday I went to the airshow at Duxford and bought two books by Colonel Rich Graham, he was there and I got them both signed Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be returning to Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 20 March.
At 11.00am, Colonel Graham will host a brand new lecture in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.
Colonel Graham will talk about his experiences flying civilian and military aircraft, comparing the Cessna 172, Cessna T-37, Lockheed T-33, the Northrop T-38 Talon, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Lockheed U-2, the Boeing KC-135Q Stratotanker and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.
Following the lecture, Colonel Graham will take questions and will sign books.
Please note that the Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to the lecture is on a first-come, first-served basis.
At 2.00pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.
Following the tours, there will be the opportunity for book signings and for Colonel Graham to answer your questions.
Both events are on Sunday 20 March and are included in the standard admission price to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
For more information on this or other events, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
As for Sled Driver, I am eternally grateful to Cambridge University Library for having a copy!
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff