I still hear and see them flying around Beale AFB every time I go home.
Last time I was there was about two months ago and heard the
unmistakable sonic boom, look up and see the plane flying by.
I used to date a girl whose father was on a refueler, he got me a hat,
pin and shoulder patch, and picture with 5 of the SR-71's on the ground
with a certificate that all were inside the cockpit of an SR-71 and
traveled at Mach 3 plus.
I was also told that the camera equipment could take a clear picture of
a license plate at its cruising altitude.
Damn cool plane
>>> STLAURENTS@MCTSSA.USMC.MIL 06/10/02 09:18AM >>>
Not likely.
--------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
C4i System Engineer
C4i Engineering Branch, PSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, U.S. Marine Corps
Office (760) 725-2506 (DSN Prefix: 365)
"Never be content with somebody else's definition
of you. Instead, define yourself by your own beliefs,
your own truths, your own understanding of who
you are. Never be content until you are happy with
the unique person GOD has created you to be."
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Kuzia [mailto:flyboy01@comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 6:12 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: SR-71 Aircraft
Actually, all of the "retired" SR-71's were put back into service a
few
years ago after it was learned that there was no current substitute. It
is
doubtful that there is a current replacement since they are still
using
them. I heard a few museums had their 71's snatched away by the
Government.
I am not sure, but I don't think any museums have any on display
currently.
I may be wrong, but I remember reading this in an industry magazine
(aviation).
Mark Kuzia
Mark's Diecast Inc.
flyboy01@comcast.net
http://www.dragtruk.com/ENTRIES/kuziamark.html
1995 Dakota "Fastdak"
~360ci, 5-spd, 8 3/4 rear / 3.90-SG
1994 Dakota "Crack Dak"
~318ci, 5-spd, 3.90 LS (bone stock, no mods)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon N. Benignus" <blkwidow1@primary.net>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 7:47 PM
Subject: Re: DML: SR-71 Aircraft
>
> > He added that the plane flew at 80,000
> > feet, had two rather large (for its size) engines,
> > and had a flattened fuselage shape (view from front).
> > It was painted a flat black color. He thinks that one
> > is now on display at the Air Natl Guard museum at the
> > MSP Airport. Unfortunately, the museum has been closed
> > since the Sept. 11 attacks. No foreseeable date to
> > reopen.
> The SR flew at altitudes HIGHER than 80k ft-the exact altitude is
still
> classified, as well as top speed. In fact, the "official" book from
the
USAF
> museum lists the altitude as 85k plus. A couple friends (one was a
mechanic,
> the other a flight sim programmer for the SR) say "higher than that".
The
> record FOR ITS CLASS is (was) 85,068.997 ft at 2,193.167 mph. I don't
know
> about the altitude, but I do know the speed record was eclipsed on a
> "retirement" flight before taking the craft out of service.
> The engines were Pratt and Whitney (in thrust we trust) J58s with
rated
> thrust at 32,500 lbs each w/burner.
> The SR was a development from the A-12 CIA spy craft (not the
cancelled
M-D
> now Boeing) A-12. There is an A-12 also at Wright-Patterson AFB.
> IIRC, there is also a SR at the USS Alabama museum (yes, there are
planes
> there, too), and a few other places. Most can be made ready to fly in
a
> short time, as they are subject to recall by the USAF/NASA/CIA. In
fact,
> three were called back into service during the 90s by NASA for
"flight
> testing"
> I took pics of the craft at Wright-Pat, and gave them to my friend.
He
> pulled out a log book showing the date, aircraft, and other info of
every
> plane he worked on (including the one at the museum), including the
U-2
> "Dragon Lady" and F-105 Thunderchief, aka "Thud".
> The data from the development of the SR was valuable in later years
as it
> was accidentally found to be a "stealthy" design.
> Hard to belive this plane was designed in the early 60s and first
flew in
> 64.
> Quite a feat in its day without the use of CAD/CAM, and the like.
Still
> quite a feat today. I doubt a plane to surpass the SR will see the
light
of
> day due to the costs of development (can you say "Aurora").
> Proof that good design is timeless-much like our beloved Dakotas.
>
> Jon
> STL MO
>
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