You uys, in some cases, might find this interesting. It's hard to believe this aircraft has been around since 1963.

Flight of the Blackbird: The how, what and why of the incredible SR-71

 

I loved where it was mentioned in the article that is was made by men with sliderules. I haven't seen one since the early 1970's. A fascinating article.

 

Hi Paul, I've got 3 or 4 old slide rules , dating back to the 1950's/60's and they are kept as my father used them in his work (he's now dead) but I still possess an early Sinclair Scientific calculator in Polish logic entry , it must be an antique now

 

I wonder how many people even know what reverse Polish notation is?

 

Paul, sadly, very few I reckon.

 

They mention it in the article but I've just always found it incredible how hot this thing gets when going full speed and how there's so much expansion correction in the material that they literally leave inches of clearance between the titanium panels. You look at a SR71 runway and you see all the puddle stains from the fuel leaking out the walls.

And I thought my Land Rover was leaky!

 

This topic caught my eye since I had to support them with Ground Support Equipment when I was stationed at Edwards AFB in California back in '96 to '99.
While at Edwards AFB I got to watch Mariah Carey dance on top of an F-22 when she was filming her "I Still Believe" music video.

 

Some of you guys may find this interesting. It's incredible to think this was designed and manufactured when even cars were so 'agricultural'. This aircraft is just incredible, a thing of beauty.

Flight of the Blackbird: The how, what and why of the incredible SR-71