This and the A-10 Thunderbolt are the most beautiful aircraft ever constructed, IMHO. Very 'purpose-oriented'. In a perfect universe I'd get to go (and be able to physically and mentally handle) a flight in one of these. Obviously never, ever going to happen.
I was station at Beal AFB 1975-77 and had the opportunity to work in the fuels lab with JP7. The SR-71 is the greatest aircraft that I have ever worked with in my Air Force career.
I retired from the USAF after 20 years working as an aircraft crew chief. Hi and thanks to all you military aircraft maintainers. Thanks for serving and being out on the flight line day and night, rain or shine.
The SR 71 tail number 17959 is at Eglin AFB. At the Armanent Museum. It's totally awesome. Sits out front, for everyone to see. You can even walk up to it, and kick the tires for that matter. Plus look into the landing gear housing, motor housing a such. Awesome plane, especially up close. This technology, 40+ years ago. REally makes you wonder what we have now !!
one of the most awesome aircraft to ever i mean ever to come from the mind of kelly johnson of lockeheed. theres two things that i hate most.. seeing a good ship taken out of service like the carriers i served with during my navy days .. and good aircraft... the sr-71 was one of my very favorite planes next to the tomcat and the mustang and corsair. to all those who had the honor to work on or work with pilots who flew the blackbird my most sincerest thank you for a plane you took pride in
I just saw an old Outer Limits which showed one of these being dropped off the wing of a B-52. This would've been the early 60s. I guess its not this aircraft , but one that was similar - black and rocketplane-like, but not with these wings curved inward.
Incredible aircraft. One of the world's most beautiful aircraft. Made of titanium airframe which was unheard of at the time, and it's fuselage actually expanded and contracted due to the pressures and heat and speed gererated during very fast flight. Still the fastest conventional ram-jet aircraft. Bad-ass as well.
That's a nice thought but I regret to say I don't see thsat happening. Our "wonderous" politicians cut the funding for them and I have serious doubt of thsat being restored (Would have to pull some to most of the airframes out of the display parks and such, put them back together then test fly them for several flights to work the "kinks" out of them. All of this is VERY pricey and all on top of the regular operating costs. I love to see it but I doubt I'm going to.
Showed this vid and some other SR stuff to a guy at my plant. He made an interesting observation.
He said "You'd think that that thing would SCREAM "POWER!!" at you but it doesn't. It whispers of its power, and you believe the whisper more then you would any shout or scream."
Between time points 3.35 and 3.42 tell me that that doesn't look like the deadliest snake in the world coming at you and you hear it whispering "You're mine!"
I remember when I was in the ROTC and they had a SR-71 takeoff for us to watch at Beale AFB, and then briefing on what they could tell us without clearance. It was awsome, and I will never forget the view along side of the flight line. Do you notice the fuel that leaks out as it takes off. Right after takeoff it is customary to refuel via KC-135 due to the fact a great deal of fuel leaks out untill the fuselage and wings heat up and seal up in flight. You can fly it with X-plane simulator.
Beautyfull,i work at beale ,im just a supply officer for Civil Air Patrol right across from the four last standing Blackbird hangars,i think of these videos everytime i look at them,thanks for putting them up ;D
This and the A-10 Thunderbolt are the most beautiful aircraft ever constructed, IMHO. Very 'purpose-oriented'. In a perfect universe I'd get to go (and be able to physically and mentally handle) a flight in one of these. Obviously never, ever going to happen.
ionia23 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to post this excellent video.
What a machine.
Kelly Johnson did good
buzz60016 1 year ago
i heard its possible for one of these to break through the earths atmosphere is this true?
reecenolan 1 year ago
@reecenolan yes! a few pilots got their astronauts wings flying this thing
luckily they dont reach escape velocity so they come back to earth
typefoutu 1 year ago
1:17 O.O
beanie8989 1 year ago
@beanie8989 JP-7 for ya.
beroth1 1 year ago
it looks space age for its time
mikey0186 1 year ago
I was a 9th EMS'er stationed from 1987-1989. I worked AGE so I saw plenty of these bad boys launced. What an amazing aircraft!
marstegreg 1 year ago
I was station at Beal AFB 1975-77 and had the opportunity to work in the fuels lab with JP7. The SR-71 is the greatest aircraft that I have ever worked with in my Air Force career.
eps96 2 years ago
I retired from the USAF after 20 years working as an aircraft crew chief. Hi and thanks to all you military aircraft maintainers. Thanks for serving and being out on the flight line day and night, rain or shine.
ABQTGIRL 2 years ago
Absolutely Marvelous, That is a ripper of an Aircraft
holdengrp3 2 years ago
ei look!!! its jetfire!!!! :)
krammae 2 years ago
Emagine this thing leaking fuel from body lines on taxi in the 1960's amazing
54thAggressors 2 years ago
is that jetfie
fighterxbenzprimesam 2 years ago
@fighterxbenzprimesam yes that is jetfire lol
cddrummer96 2 years ago
There is a plane, yet, that is such a personification of pure power as this one.
roadrodent1952 2 years ago
Shoot! There isn't a plane, yet (That we know of.) that can match, let alone beat, this one!
roadrodent1952 2 years ago
Was this the SR71 - 17959?
The SR 71 tail number 17959 is at Eglin AFB. At the Armanent Museum. It's totally awesome. Sits out front, for everyone to see. You can even walk up to it, and kick the tires for that matter. Plus look into the landing gear housing, motor housing a such. Awesome plane, especially up close. This technology, 40+ years ago. REally makes you wonder what we have now !!
foamerville 2 years ago
Now i know were the X-men got their black bird from
Flashlight1996 2 years ago
how much do these cost?
Anewera77 2 years ago
At the time they were built in the 1960's the cost was $34 million for the airframe and another $30 million for the Avionics and Sensors.
Blackbird101 2 years ago
@Blackbird101 In the 100-200 millions or more in today's money, right?
beroth1 1 year ago
i love america SR-71 is the best plane in the world,,,
i dont like ussr russia mig-25 plane,,,
america SR-71 is still number 1 leader,,,
russia mig-25 is a still loser and loser and loser last forever
bestamerica 2 years ago
one of the most awesome aircraft to ever i mean ever to come from the mind of kelly johnson of lockeheed. theres two things that i hate most.. seeing a good ship taken out of service like the carriers i served with during my navy days .. and good aircraft... the sr-71 was one of my very favorite planes next to the tomcat and the mustang and corsair. to all those who had the honor to work on or work with pilots who flew the blackbird my most sincerest thank you for a plane you took pride in
cutter043 2 years ago
I just saw an old Outer Limits which showed one of these being dropped off the wing of a B-52. This would've been the early 60s. I guess its not this aircraft , but one that was similar - black and rocketplane-like, but not with these wings curved inward.
TheRealCritique 2 years ago
*****To the greatest Weapon Of Freedom I had the honor to serve on, The SR-71.
Long Live The 9th SRW. All memories cherished.
~Semper Paratus
9th SRW, SAC, OMS, BAFB, Det 1 (HABU)
h8liver 2 years ago
A perfect video...!
Thanks for posting!:D
So long masterpiece, and don't get away from our minds... BLACKBIRD!;)
F22RaptorOne 3 years ago
Hello Friend.
fyi: TEB ignition @ 1:17
All memories cherished.
~Semper Paratus
9th SRW, SAC, OMS, BAFB, Det 1 (HABU)
h8liver 2 years ago
Awesome video. Thanks for posting! Love your website, too...
gorthar30 3 years ago
very cool video !
darrennz2008 3 years ago
Incredible aircraft. One of the world's most beautiful aircraft. Made of titanium airframe which was unheard of at the time, and it's fuselage actually expanded and contracted due to the pressures and heat and speed gererated during very fast flight. Still the fastest conventional ram-jet aircraft. Bad-ass as well.
gothenburgmark 3 years ago
cool
bisaragu 3 years ago
love it. totally awesome.good footage.
1domw 3 years ago
Now that SAC is comming back, the blackbird is next!
loggieshaka 3 years ago
That's a nice thought but I regret to say I don't see thsat happening. Our "wonderous" politicians cut the funding for them and I have serious doubt of thsat being restored (Would have to pull some to most of the airframes out of the display parks and such, put them back together then test fly them for several flights to work the "kinks" out of them. All of this is VERY pricey and all on top of the regular operating costs. I love to see it but I doubt I'm going to.
roadrodent1952 3 years ago
It's incredible that this airplane was designed in the 1950s, and to this day has no equal.
cb1ryder 3 years ago
Jarre. Thanks you.
jsb779 3 years ago
If I was a carmaker and I was coming out with a new muscle car, I'd call it the SR-71. It would sell like hotcakes.
hazelwood55 3 years ago
start up engine...that's cool..
barcuzzi 3 years ago
beale AFB baby i love going their every monday for CAP.
LOCKHEED17 3 years ago
A great tribut to the best spy plane ever...also nice touch on the use of Jarre's Oxygen as background music.
cajunsushi 3 years ago
Brings back memories...Worked on these babies from 1969-Mid 1970...Loved EVERY MINUTE. Ssgt A.Piombo AF18906359
hitekcwby 3 years ago
u sir are in my envy im a mechanic for a living to this day the only memorable thing iv worked on really pales in comparision to an sr71
Stevieb83 3 years ago
Showed this vid and some other SR stuff to a guy at my plant. He made an interesting observation.
He said "You'd think that that thing would SCREAM "POWER!!" at you but it doesn't. It whispers of its power, and you believe the whisper more then you would any shout or scream."
I'd say he nailed it.
roadrodent1952 4 years ago
Between time points 3.35 and 3.42 tell me that that doesn't look like the deadliest snake in the world coming at you and you hear it whispering "You're mine!"
roadrodent1952 4 years ago
I remember when I was in the ROTC and they had a SR-71 takeoff for us to watch at Beale AFB, and then briefing on what they could tell us without clearance. It was awsome, and I will never forget the view along side of the flight line. Do you notice the fuel that leaks out as it takes off. Right after takeoff it is customary to refuel via KC-135 due to the fact a great deal of fuel leaks out untill the fuselage and wings heat up and seal up in flight. You can fly it with X-plane simulator.
mrleoben 4 years ago
I got assigned to Beale December of 96, fresh out of tech school. By then the SR was gone...and I just got to play with the U-2s.
Engine272 4 years ago
I fell in love with the SR 71 from a photograph. I am in awe....thanks for the video.
bcdutch 4 years ago
good old beale in the 60s 70s and 80s you got to love it! and now!
LOCKHEED17 4 years ago
I have just One word to desrcibe it AWESOME
LifesJoys 4 years ago
great vid!
LOCKHEED17 4 years ago
Oh the memories. Glad to see the preflights for launch again. My last preflight was in May of 1988. I was in Comm/Nav. Good video.
BlackbirdSpecOps 4 years ago
Fantastic!
happypuppy237 4 years ago
Perfect video werry nice
olsen870520 4 years ago
Beautyfull,i work at beale ,im just a supply officer for Civil Air Patrol right across from the four last standing Blackbird hangars,i think of these videos everytime i look at them,thanks for putting them up ;D
coldwar2008 4 years ago