The SR-71 Blackbird is a very, very unique aircraft. It was an airplane that was ahead of its time. It was a stealth aircraft, before the concept of stealth aircraft existed.
Here are three very cool things I have learned about the SR-71.
- It leaked fuel when it was on the ground. The aircraft was built so that when it flew at high altitude and at high speed, it flew as a solid mass. The holes in the fuselage, placed to allow expansion of the joints while flying at high speed and high altitude, meant that when the plane was on the ground it was leaking fuel like crazy. So when it was on the ground, for the most part it was kept out of fuel.
- The SR 71 was capable of flying at more than 1.6 miles per second. It flew faster than a fast bullet. Literally as fast if not faster than the Superman from the comics of yesteryear.
- It is the only aircraft that used less fuel the faster it flew. The engines were designed as ramjets. At high altitude and high speed, air works its way through the motor without the motor having to do a lot of work.
- The aircraft’s operating altitude was 80,000 feet.. The maximum ceiling for the plane was 95,000 feet. ¿Why is it so important? Because as of today the beginning of outer space begins at 100,000 feet. Several crew members aboard blackbirds received their astronaut wings after returning from a mission because they passed the one hundred thousand foot mark.
- While flying at three times the speed of sound, at 80,000 feet, it was nearly impossible to shoot down a blackbird. In fact, no blackbird was ever shot down. If you were to talk to a Blackbird pilot, they would tell you that usually all they had to do was “give him a little more gas” and the missile would not be able to hit them.
I had the opportunity to see Blackbird in person in McMinnville, Oregon, at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.
The plane is impressive. Although he knew the plane was 107 feet long and 18 feet high, seeing it in person only put it in perspective. It is a very long and very thin plane. It is definitely a sight to see.
If you are ever in the Portland, Oregon area, I suggest you take the trip to McMinnville and visit the Evergreen Aviation Museum so you can see your SR-71.
Oh yeah, before I forget, they also have Howard Hughes Spruce Goose at the Museum. In fact, the Spruce goose is Evergreen’s main attraction. As impressive as the Goose is, sometimes I feel like the Blackbird should be the main attraction.
