The SR-71 Blackbird is a very, very unique plane. It was a plane that was ahead of its time. It was a stealth plane, before the concept of stealth planes existed.
SR-71 Blackbird at Evergreen Museum
Photo by: matneym
Here are three very interesting things that I’ve learned about the SR-71.
- It leaked fuel when it was on the ground. The plane was built so that when it flew at high altitudes and high-speed, it flew like one solid mass. The gaps in the fuselage, put in place to allow for expansion of the joints while it was flying at high speed and high-altitude, meant that when the plane was on the ground it leaked fuel like crazy. So when it was on the ground it was mostly kept empty of fuel.
- The SR 71, was capable of flying faster than 1.6 miles per second. It flew faster than a speeding bullet. Literally, as fast if not faster than the Superman of the comic books of yore.
- It’s the only plane, that used less fuel the faster it flew. The engines were designed as ramjets. At high altitudes and high speed the air would force its way through the engine without the engine having to do much work.
- The operational altitude for the plane, was 80,000 feet
- While flying at three times the speed of sound, at 80,000 feet, it was almost impossible to shoot down a blackbird.In fact, no blackbird was ever shot down. If you were to talk to a pilot of a Blackbird, they would tell you that usually all they needed to do was “give it a little bit more gas” and the missile would not be able to hit them.
Photo by: by TopTechWriter.US
I had the opportunity to see Blackbird in person in McMinnville, Oregon at the Evergreen aviation Museum.
The plane is imposing. Even though I knew the plane was 107 feet long and 18 feet high seeing it in person just put that into perspective. It’s a very long and very lean plane. It is definitely a sight to see.
If you’re ever in the Portland, Oregon area, I suggest you take the ride out to McMinnville and check out the Evergreen aviation Museum so can see their SR-71.
Oh yes, before I forget, they also have Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose at the Museum. In fact the Spruce goose is the Evergreen’s main attraction. As impressive as the Goose is, I sometimes feel like the Blackbird should be the main attraction.
I enjoyed the facts, but I must note that nothing can be “very, very unique.” Unique means one of a kind. So the Blackbird is unique, period.
Technically, you’re right. However, each plane was made by hand, and the pilots said that each plane had a unique “personality” that’s why I said “very, very unique.” I guess I could’ve explained that a bit more.
Thanks for the comment!
It’s been a few years since I worked on these aircraft but I still love everyone of them. I’ll never forget the excitement of seeing the automobile engines (used to start the aircraft engines) blowing apart one fine day on the ramp while being used to crank the jet over. $10,000.00 each if memory serves me well. I call the SR-71 the Black Bitch! Because of how really mean she was!!
Awesome story Ken! I didn’t know they used an automobile engine to start these “bitches” up
Hi this is a interesting topic. They say the ceiling altitude of a SR-71 is 85,000 feet but I’ve also read & heard that it is capable of crusing as high as 100,000 feet! is this possible & has it ever been achieved?
I read about that 100,000 foot ceiling somewhere too. I also remember reading that the X-15 and the U-2 earned several pilots their astronaut wings and I do think that several pilots earned astronaut wings in the SR-71 as well. But I can’t remember where I saw that.
So the SR-71 leaked fuel on the ground? Just curious: How did they get it in the air with fuel in it?
It was refueled in flight almost immediately after takeoff.
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