SR-71 Blackbird
Dec 13, 2008 | 11:01 PM
#11
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,097
From: East Coast
Pardon my ignorance but was this plane purpose built to break the altitude record or was there a purposeful military reasoning behind it? Such a crazy looking plane, I remember reading that it was a PITA to fly though...
Or was it speed record, I forget?
Or was it speed record, I forget?
Dec 13, 2008 | 11:03 PM
#12
Watch this space.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,211
It was a reconnaissance plane designed to outfly (altitude) and outrun (speed) the Soviet anti-air missiles of the day. It was successful...
It actually had a very highly classified predecessor: http://www.foia.cia.gov/a12oxcart.asp
It actually had a very highly classified predecessor: http://www.foia.cia.gov/a12oxcart.asp
Dec 14, 2008 | 08:20 AM
#16
Teamspeed Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 236
It was a reconnaissance plane designed to outfly (altitude) and outrun (speed) the Soviet anti-air missiles of the day. It was successful...
It actually had a very highly classified predecessor: CIA FOIA - A-12 OXCART Reconnaissance Aircraft Documentation
It actually had a very highly classified predecessor: CIA FOIA - A-12 OXCART Reconnaissance Aircraft Documentation
Sweet!
And I don't recall there ever being an armed version.... 
Dec 14, 2008 | 03:06 PM
#19
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 609
From: Silver Creek Valley, CA
I worked the Intel systems on the SR-71 and U-2R aircraft in the mid 70's nothing like standing on the runway in the middle of the night 50 yards away and watch a launch! The sound and the feel can not be described. Truly was a privileged serving!
