The Blackbird—Timeless Tech ahead of its Time

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

This thread is way outside my area of expertise but is something that I have had an interest in ever since I was a kid.  

 

During the Cold War era, there was always an attitude of “one upmanship” between the Russian Bear and the American Eagle.  Tensions were almost always high and there were a variety of military technological advances made on both sides with an eye towards the other.  As the story goes, a high speed recon jet was flying over Russian airspace when it was shot down.  This caused more tensions between the USA and Russia and was also a source of embarrassment.  So...it was time to roll up the collective sleeves and do the American thing—built a bigger, better, faster jet!  Little did anyone in the late 50’s know but there was an aircraft in the works that would defy reality and almost literally—TIME!  It is important to interject here that when the building of this bird was commissioned, it was barely 60 years since the Wright brothers had made their first successful air voyage of 20’ above the sand dunes traveling a distance of about 120’ in December of 1903.

It is staggering to think that in just 6 decades we went from flying an apparatus like this...

barely 100’ to one that would set records of flying around the world in only a handful of hours.

To fully understand the reality of how advanced and amazing the SR-71 Blackbird is, you have to frame it by the time period in which it was made.  WHILE  was building the 854 

(a well built machine as well—no doubt) Lockheed had a secret division designing and building the coolest aircraft to ever fly in the skies...

The Blackbird was designed to fly at an altitude of 85,000 feet and at speeds of Mach III or about 2,200mph!  Ironically it is nearly impossible to find a factual top speed of this magnificent machine.  Often the best answer that you will get from a former pilot is Mach III “plus”—whatever that means.  I do know that I was at the EAA Air show in 1989 when they brought in an SR-71 that was about to be retired.  I was there when it took off. It was an amazing experience watching that bird fly out.  It did a couple of flyovers before heading west.  45 minutes later they announced over the loud speakers that it had already landed in Miramar CA which is over 2000 miles from Oshkosh, WI! 

Now that is moving!!!! What impresses me most about this machine is that allegedly the last Blackbirds were grounded in 1999 but yet it still is the fastest manned jet in the world history of military aviation.  

 

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnn.com/style/amp/sr-71-blackbird-spy-plane-design/index.html

 

I was reminded of this aircraft when it popped popped up in my news feed a few days ago.  I thought that maybe someone else on here shared my interest in this very special and unique aircraft. Does it look outdated or vintage almost 60 years after it was first designed—I think not!  It still looks cutting edge even though it has been officially “grounded” for more than 20 years.  

 

 

What is often said on this forum?  Necessity is the mother of invention!!! 

The Blackbird was born of necessity and became an overnight sensation.  

[Achto 27,505]

Thanks for the post Josh. Since the Black bird was built we still have not come up with the technology to build a fuel tank that will with stand the temperature changes. The Black bird would actually leak fuel on to the run way while waiting to take off. The fuel level on the plane would be less than 25% after take off so  the first thing on the flight agenda was to hook up with a tanker plane and refuel. 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Absolutely true!  Just reading about the challenges that they faced with fuel is intriguing.  They had to develop something new for the parameters mandated by the heat generated through traveling so fast. 

 

The plane was made out of titanium and the number one supplier in the world was...Russia!  Classic

[ZXT 2,401]

The SR-71 was (is) a very impressive plane, even by todays standards. 

 

My dad was on the F-16 program at Lockheed and has a passion for aircraft, so naturally I grew up reading through some of his books and building models. You're certainly not alone in your interest in cool old technology; I like it too. It's cool to look back and think about what we were able to come up with that long ago. 

 

I certainly don't think the plane looks dated, especially when compared to other things we were producing at the time. 

[tom2p 2,394]

Yes - I do share your interest !
 

The WP / Dayton Air Force museum has a SR-71

 

The Intrepid Air and Space museum in NYC has a Lockheed A-12 - which is similar (precursor to the SR-71)

 

I recommend a trip to see one or both if you have not already !

 

 

[tom2p 2,394]

Stealth bomber and Stealth fighter also really cool ... 

 

B2 bomber .... F-117A fighter ...

 

the basic design of the B2 bomber design started way back on the desk of Jack Northrop

 

[oliver2-44 9,689]

I to think the Blackbirds are amazing and have seen one at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and one at an Air Museum outside Portland Oregon.  I routinely make one or two airshows a year.  I still have a Blackbird Estes Model Rocket.  Of course my dad used to jokingly say "Jets don't fly, there just rockets with wings to guide them". 

 

@ZXT it's interesting you grew up with a Dad that had an aviation background as I did to.  I also built model planes that my Dad designed.  We definitely need to get together sometime.  

I recently found the picture of my Dad flying Santa to town from the North Pole.  I think the plane may be a Stinson  (if anyboy can identify it for sure I would appreciate it). This was probable in the early 1950's. They would close down Hwy 71 in downtown La Grange and my dad would land on the Highway to deliver Santa to the Firetruck for the Christmas Parade. At the end of the Parade he would fly Santa back to the North Pole.

So to think, while he was the last of the Barn-Stormers, they were beginning to design the Blackbird.     

   

Edited November 11, 2019 by oliver2-44

[WHNJ701 4,165]

you mention the era of your tractor and the sr71 being flown, interestingly too northrop developed the stealth bomber in the late 1940s  it wasn't 100% successful until the 90s when stability software was available

[WHNJ701 4,165]

7 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

I to think the Blackbirds are amazing and have seen one at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and one at an Air Museum outside Portland Oregon.  I routinely make one or two airshows a year.  I still have a Blackbird Estes Model Rocket.  Of course my dad used to jokingly say "Jets don't fly, there just rockets with wings to guide them". 

 

@ZXT it's interesting you grew up with a Dad that had an aviation background as I did to.  I also built model planes that my Dad designed.  We definitely need to get together sometime.  

I recently found the picture of my Dad flying Santa to town from the North Pole.  I think the plane may be a Stinson  (if anyboy can identify it for sure I would appreciate it). This was probable in the early 1950's. They would close down Hwy 71 in downtown La Grange and my dad would land on the Highway to deliver Santa to the Firetruck for the Christmas Parade. At the end of the Parade he would fly Santa back to the North Pole.

So to think, while he was the last of the Barn-Stormers, they were beginning to design the Blackbird.     

   

no pic attached?

[ZXT 2,401]

8 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

I to think the Blackbirds are amazing and have seen one at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and one at an Air Museum outside Portland Oregon.  I routinely make one or two airshows a year.  I still have a Blackbird Estes Model Rocket.  Of course my dad used to jokingly say "Jets don't fly, there just rockets with wings to guide them". 

 

@ZXT it's interesting you grew up with a Dad that had an aviation background as I did to.  I also built model planes that my Dad designed.  We definitely need to get together sometime.  

I recently found the picture of my Dad flying Santa to town from the North Pole.  I think the plane may be a Stinson  (if anyboy can identify it for sure I would appreciate it). This was probable in the early 1950's. They would close down Hwy 71 in downtown La Grange and my dad would land on the Highway to deliver Santa to the Firetruck for the Christmas Parade. At the end of the Parade he would fly Santa back to the North Pole.

So to think, while he was the last of the Barn-Stormers, they were beginning to design the Blackbird.     

   

Yes we do need to get together sometime! 

 

Great story about your father - I doubt they could get away with closing down a highway for that nowadays! Your picture doesn't appear to be working though.

[edgro 677]

For those in or near Michigan, they have one at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo

 

[tom2p 2,394]

2 hours ago, jabelman said:

you mention the era of your tractor and the sr71 being flown, interestingly too northrop developed the stealth bomber in the late 1940s  it wasn't 100% successful until the 90s when stability software was available

if you have not seen the documentary on the B2 bomber / Jack Northrop ya gotta see it 

 

will bring tears to your eyes