Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - Softcover

Crickmore, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0850456533 ISBN 13: 9780850456530

Publisher: Osprey Publishing Limited, 1986

Synopsis

All you have to do is look at it. Its sinister black shape exudes Mach3 from every angle. It is the fastest air-breathing airplane the world has ever seen, cruising above 99% of the Earth's atmosphere at speeds in excess of 2100 mph (3380 km/h) for hour after hour. It is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Operated exclusively by the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron of the US Air Force, Blackbirds glean a wide range of data from 'collection areas along the periphery of the Soviet Union and zero in on many other regions of special interest. As recently as April 1986, two SR-71s carried out post-strike reconnaissance of Libyan targets hit by the F-111s of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. At that time, the SR-71 had been in operational service for a little over 20 years, but instead of its role steadily diminishing, the accident which destroyed the Shuttle Challenger, and the failure of two US Air Force Titan 34D launchers (the payloads were KH-11 and Big Bird spy satellites), the capability and inherent flexibility of the SR-71 remain absolutely critical to the effectiveness of US intelligence gathering. LOCKHEED SR-71 BLACKBIRD is the culmination of patient and diligent research by the author, Paul F. Crickmore. For the first time we have a full account of the Blackbird story, including the contributions made by the A-12 proof-of-concept vehicle and YF-12 interceptor. This 200-page book describes the technological leap in aerodynamics, propulsion, materials, and avionics which stretched the state-of-the-art into a new dimension. Here, too, is the story of the men, the missions, and the records which made the Blackbird a legend. Illustrated with over 160 black-and-white photographs (many previously unpublished), and 12 photographs in full colour, LOCKHEED SR-71 BLACKBIRD contains a glossary, appendices (detailing all the 30-½ SR-71s), and an index are also included.

About this title

About the Author:

Steve Davies is a freelance aviation journalist and photographer living in Cambridge, England. He is the author of F-15E Units in Combat 1991-2005 (Osprey), F-15C Units in Combat (Osprey), F-15C/E Units in OIF (Osprey), F-15E Strike Eagle: All Weather Attack Aircraft (Airlife), and F-15 Eagle & Strike Eagle: Combat Legends (Airlife). He is also a regular contributor to the aviation press including International Air Power Review, Combat Aircraft, Air Forces Monthly, Aircraft Illustrated and Air Pictorial.

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing Limited
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0850456533
• ISBN 13: 9780850456530
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200