29 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE SR-71 BLACKBIRD
COURTESY OF LOCKHEED MARTIN
By AARON MILLER
Quantifying the exact level of badass-ness the SR-71 Blackbird achieved during its active career from the 1960s to the 1990s is impossible -- partly because, as a spy plane, much of its anecdotal history remains behind a veil of security. From its very first test flight, three days before Christmas in 1964, it straddled the boundaries between physics-bending speed and safety, top secret missions and public rockstar status, and even between Earth and space.
Now basking in its second decade of retirement, Blackbird stands as a towering figure in the history of aviation, one which still holds more than its share of records. These are 29 things you you (probably) didn’t know about the SR-71.
COURTESY OF LOCKHEED MARTIN
1. The SR-71’s official speed record -- 2,193.13 mph -- has stood for nearly 40 years
In July of 1976, the Blackbird celebrated the United States’ centennial by setting an outright speed record for a manned jet. This is that very plane landing after that record-setting run, and while a few pilots took their Blackbirds faster, they weren't on an official two-way record run.
The refueling after take-off was because the fuel for flight was different from the take-off fuel; after that, refueling was about every ninety minutes.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
The refueling after take-off was because the fuel for flight was different from the take-off fuel; after that, refueling was about every ninety minutes.
I knew there was a reason. ;)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
You knew that it didn't have to be fueled every seven minutes.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
You knew that it didn't have to be fueled every seven minutes.
I figured it had something to do with range and time. I assumed it uses quite a bit of fuel for take off, so refuel in air after take off is reasonable. ;)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke