What amazed me (other than the speed) was the fact
that the pilot had to wait 2 hours for the aircraft to cool
down before exiting the cockpit. I read this on a plaque
next to the plane at the Space and Rocket Center,
Huntsville, Alabama.
GS -
>>
Actually they are discussing the SR-71 concept Dakota. But the aircraft
called the SR-71 was orginally developed as the A-12 which was to deliver
nuclear weapons deep into the heart of the USSR before the Soviets even knew
it was there. Hence the development of the MIG-25 to intercept it(later the
scrapped XB-70 then even later the planned B-1). With the advent of the ICBM
in the early 60's the A-12 project gave way to the SR-71 which was an A-12
with the bomb racks removed and camera's put under the nose. The U-2
eventually took over the for the SR-71 for routine air recon, and the SR-71
was relegated to high speed photo recon until it was phased out in the 80's.
I believe 2 71's still fly but with NASA colors...
Greg
NE# 3779
2K1 Neon ES
Rahway NJ
ICQ: 283886
http://24.6.89.18/neon<<
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