Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Yeah, what a bird! Interesting factoids. I had no idea that the SR-71 has been around since 1966!

Here's my model of the SR-71. The craft was first developed for use by the CIA and was known as the A-12. An example of the A-12 is in the Museum of Flight in Seattle. They they tried to make an interceptor out of it and that was known as the YF-12. Eventually, the recon version was further developed for the USAF and was designated SR-71 (Strategic Reconnaissance). First flight of the A-12 was in 1964, last flight of an SR-71 was in 1999. All have been retired.

Interesting, Paul. I used to live in Seattle and have snapped a few photos at the Museum Of Flight. I'll have to look through them and see if I happened to capture the A-12/SR-71.

chronictown wrote:

Umm . . . ?

The REAL Jet Black:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Black

chronictown wrote:The REAL Jet Black:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Black

Oohh, THAT Jet Black.

bassduke49 wrote:Here's my model of the SR-71. The craft was first developed for use by the CIA and was known as the A-12. An example of the A-12 is in the Museum of Flight in Seattle. They they tried to make an interceptor out of it and that was known as the YF-12. Eventually, the recon version was further developed for the USAF and was designated SR-71 (Strategic Reconnaissance). First flight of the A-12 was in 1964, last flight of an SR-71 was in 1999. All have been retired.

MonSR-71Aweb.jpg

I was told it takes a million dollars to put an SR-71 in the air now.

BTW, really nice model.

johnallg wrote: I was told it takes a million dollars to put an SR-71 in the air now.

BTW, really nice model.

Thanks, John. For them to bring a Blackbird out of mothballs to serve again, it would likely take more than a mil. But they won't. Their place has been taken by advanced reconnaissance platforms in satellites and remotely (or autonomously) piloted vehicles.

bassduke49 wrote:

johnallg wrote: I was told it takes a million dollars to put an SR-71 in the air now.

BTW, really nice model.

Thanks, John. For them to bring a Blackbird out of mothballs to serve again, it would likely take more than a mil. But they won't. Their place has been taken by advanced reconnaissance platforms in satellites and remotely (or autonomously) piloted vehicles.

Yeah, but the SR-71 is more sleek, sexy, and alien-looking!

I love playing "Black Diamond" by KISS on my Jetglo 650C
I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, already in progress

fluffy wrote:I love playing "Black Diamond" by KISS on my Jetglo 650C
I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, already in progress

Nah, it's been irreparably derailed.