These stories never disappoint, no matter how many times we read them....
That’s definitely true for me. I don’t exactly know why, probably in part because they remind me of my reckless youth, and then also just the unbridled pursuit of an extreme.
The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
11–20 of 141 posts
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#12Archive: https://archive.md/vj1oF
I'm not one to bother with archive snapshots, but this site is particularly infuriating with it's attempt to prevent text selection.
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#13If anyone is interested in learning more about the history of the SR-71 and Skunk Works there is a great talk on YouTube [1].
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#14To anyone who is interested in this stuff I would strongly recommend the book “Skunk Works” by Ben Rich. Full of interesting history about stealth planes, and a masterclass on how to run a ragtag company.
Also Kelly Johnsons book “More than my share of it all”. Kelly designed the SR71 and U2 and brought them in on time and under budget.
As a side note, Kelly Johnson really did have more than his share of it all. Head of Skunk Works, during which he had 2 wives who died from health issues over the course of 20 years. As someone with a partner who had years of health problems, I have no idea how you run something like Skunk Works and care for someone at the same time.
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#15SR-71 stories are legendary. Here's another classic from the same site: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-blackbird-pilot-tells-...
"The Day the Swedish Air Force Saab 37 Viggen Saved the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird"
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#16SR-71 stories are legendary. Here's another classic from the same site: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-blackbird-pilot-tells-...
Here’s a really crazy one: http://www.chuckyeager.org/news/sr-71-disintegrated-pilot-fr...
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#17SR-71 stories are legendary. Here's another classic from the same site: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-blackbird-pilot-tells-...
"The Day the Swedish Air Force Saab 37 Viggen Saved the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27164816
Thanks. Here's a text version: https://theaviationist.com/2018/11/29/that-time-a-crippled-s...
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#18SR-71 stories are legendary. Here's another classic from the same site: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-blackbird-pilot-tells-...
my friend served at a USSR air defense radar station near sea border and he describes SR-71 crossing his radar screen like a small frog leaping - i.e. it would move significantly while the radar antenna were making the full turn.
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Also Kelly Johnsons book “More than my share of it all”. Kelly designed the SR71 and U2 and brought them in on time and under budget.
As a side note, Kelly Johnson really did have more than his share of it all. Head of Skunk Works, during which he had 2 wives who died from health issues over the course of 20 years. As someone with a partner who had years of health problems, I have no idea how you run something like Skunk Works and care for someone at the same time.
He had a ranch in Agoura, near the SSFL, which might have had an impact on them.
Re: The slowest SR-71 Blackbird fly-by
#20I often think about life using aviation analogies. You need to have enough airspeed, for instance, to maintain lift: one must keep moving to survive. Don't stall your wing with too much angle of attack = don't bite off more than you can chew. Etc etc...