These SR-71 Blackbirds

[GroundZero]

Did a quick search on PH for the SR71 and this thread popped up.

Here is a video with similar content to the one above, by a former SR71 pilot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj9UwKQKE3A


I like the fact that due to the cockpit being separated in to a fore and aft section with a hard 'border' there is a warning light in each to say the other has ejected

[SpeckledJim]

GroundZero said:

Did a quick search on PH for the SR71 and this thread popped up.

Here is a video with similar content to the one above, by a former SR71 pilot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj9UwKQKE3A


I like the fact that due to the cockpit being separated in to a fore and aft section with a hard 'border' there is a warning light in each to say the other has ejected

What're you having for your tea, Dave? Dave? Dave...?"

[benm3evo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJrXUh0eZjw

I thought I recalled a topic on the SR-71. Came across an interesting video by a chap that used to work on the engines

[Vipers]

Can’t remember if I mentioned this before but a good book about the development is well worth a read, called “Skunk Works”

It mentions it was the SR17 but the president cocked up and told the world it was called the SR71, rather then tell him, they had all the paperwork redone showing SR71.

Or something like that.


Think I got my copy of the book on Amazon.

Edited by Vipers on Friday 29th December 14:49

[Eric Mc]

Vipers said:

It mentions it was the SR17 but the president cocked up and told the world it was called the SR71, rather then tell him, they had all the paperwork redone showing SR71.

Or something like that.

Edited by Vipers on Friday 29th December 14:49

The story was mentioned earlier in the thread. It was actually supposed confusion between RS-71 and SR-71 attributed to President Johnson - but it looks like that particular version of the story has more recently been debunked to an extent.

[JW911]

The designation of RS-71, as POTUS was reputedly intended to have said, shows a reconnaissance and strike capability. That changes the apparent role of the aircraft quite significantly.

Don’t forget, the construction of the XB-70 resulted in the Soviets designing and building the MiG-25 to counter it. While the Blackbird was a little quicker than the Valkyrie, as the SR-71 (strategic reconnaissance) while there will have been a wish to counter it and the MiG-25 could still in theory do that (not that anyone came close in anything, I believe), it would not pose an immediate direct threat of being turned to glass as it flew over.

It’s worth doing a bit of Googling to see the measures the US had to take to even get within about fifty miles of a Blackbird at full chat during training exercises. It also needed a number of “gives” from the Blackbird, which they wouldn’t do in reality.

The only successful interception ever was by the Swedish which picked one up with an engine failure on its way back from sausage-side. Even then, there was a suggestion it was more of a planned escort to keep the Soviets off it.

Edited by JW911 on Monday 1st January 11:46

[flatlandsman]

As we in the UK endlessly chirp on about Concorde, which is a staggering achievement in so many ways. The Americans can rightly chirp to the cows come how about the 71, it truly is and was a marvel of the skies.

I was lucky enough to see one a couple of times, and they were, like Concorde, graceful, beautiful and also slightly sinister to see. The guards everywhere, the security it was to a kid fabulous!

When you work in engineering as I do and you realise the time effort, and groundbreaking work that went into this thing, it really brings it home, I mean how on earth do you design a plane that shrinks in size every time you bring it home, How on earth do you build in ANY tolerances worth a damn, how do you design anything if you realise that at some stage it will expend and contract!!

[Vipers]

Eric Mc said:

Vipers said:

It mentions it was the SR17 but the president cocked up and told the world it was called the SR71, rather then tell him, they had all the paperwork redone showing SR71.

Or something like that.

Edited by Vipers on Friday 29th December 14:49

The story was mentioned earlier in the thread. It was actually supposed confusion between RS-71 and SR-71 attributed to President Johnson - but it looks like that particular version of the story has more recently been debunked to an extent.

But mentioned in the book Skunk Works, sat in a cockpit at the museum of flight in Seattle, talk about a tight fit.

[JeremyH5]

Vipers said:

Eric Mc said:

Vipers said:

It mentions it was the SR17 but the president cocked up and told the world it was called the SR71, rather then tell him, they had all the paperwork redone showing SR71.

Or something like that.

Edited by Vipers on Friday 29th December 14:49

The story was mentioned earlier in the thread. It was actually supposed confusion between RS-71 and SR-71 attributed to President Johnson - but it looks like that particular version of the story has more recently been debunked to an extent.

But mentioned in the book Skunk Works, sat in a cockpit at the museum of flight in Seattle, talk about a tight fit.

I sat in that one in about 2009.

[Vipers]

JeremyH5 said:

I sat in that one in about 2009.

Fantastic museum as well.

[aeropilot]

flatlandsman said:

I was lucky enough to see one a couple of times, and they were, like Concorde, graceful, beautiful and also slightly sinister to see.

Indeed.

Amazing to think its now coming up for 27 years since I saw one flying for the final time, back in 1997.

[JeremyH5]

Vipers said:

JeremyH5 said:

I sat in that one in about 2009.

Fantastic museum as well.

Yes it is. I had the pleasure of being shown around by a docent there who I knew through sailing. Amusingly, half way round our tour he said, “I think you know more about our aircraft than I do!” I’ve always said it’s easier being a wingman than leader

[Marumi]

Simpo Two said:

'I pulled the throttles to idle just south of Sicily , but we still overran the refueling tanker awaiting us over Gibraltar.'

That's going some.

I appreciate that this post is 12 years old, but I can't believe that for a second. That's 1000 miles.

[Athlon]

Marumi said:

Simpo Two said:

'I pulled the throttles to idle just south of Sicily , but we still overran the refueling tanker awaiting us over Gibraltar.'

That's going some.

I appreciate that this post is 12 years old, but I can't believe that for a second. That's 1000 miles.

SR71 at speed: Mach 3.4 = 2,600 mph, going to take a bit of slowing down !!

[Marumi]

Athlon said:

SR71 at speed: Mach 3.4 = 2,600 mph, going to take a bit of slowing down !!

That speed will wash off very quickly without engines. Huge drag as soon as it's in any proper atmosphere.

This is a windmill (engines failed) config. Idle would be a bit better but nowhere near 1000 miles.

https://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/3/3-49.php

Personally I think half the stories about the SR71 are garbage. Half the stories talk about the aircraft having the glide ratio of a brick (which I can absolutely believe) so you can't have both be true....

Edited by Marumi on Tuesday 2nd January 20:57

[carlo996]

Andy RV said:

Have you lot never heard of google?!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/38807973/Sled%...

Damn. Link is dead

[_Rodders_]

Reminds me to pull out my copy of Sled Driver and peruse over a whisky.

[Richie Slow]

_Rodders_ said:

Reminds me to pull out my copy of Sled Driver and peruse over a whisky.

There’s a lot of storytelling by Brian. He was good at telling entertaining stories but you’d be better off looking at Rich Graham’s books if you want the facts. I know Brian’s instructor and he doesn’t care for the silly stories at all

Terry Pappas has just released his second book and that is excellent too.

[Richie Slow]

Marumi said:

That speed will wash off very quickly without engines. Huge drag as soon as it's in any proper atmosphere.

This is a windmill (engines failed) config. Idle would be a bit better but nowhere near 1000 miles.

https://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/3/3-49.php

Personally I think half the stories about the SR71 are garbage. Half the stories talk about the aircraft having the glide ratio of a brick (which I can absolutely believe) so you can't have both be true....

Edited by Marumi on Tuesday 2nd January 20:57

Several crews managed to land SR’s after double engine failure. They don’t glide too badly!

[ecsrobin]

Richie Slow said:

I know Brian’s instructor and he doesn’t care for the silly stories at all

As in didn’t approve or didn’t believe them to be fact?