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Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

thesr71blackbird.com

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Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#31

Post by JustSomeNobody »

ye-olde-sysrq wrote: post #24
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #16

Amazing what engineers were able to do (build aircraft like the SR-71) before computers came along and made them less productive.

I know you're being glib but I assume the reason we didn't do any more Blackbirds is because normal satellite imagery got good enough that it didn't make as much sense to keep building these crazy things. Does anyone remember that satellite photo Trump leaked of that iranian missile silo? https://www.npr.org/2019/08/30/755994591/president-trump-twe... This one ^ I'm just guessing that if they showed it to Trump unpro…

> I know you're being glib ...

Yes. But I truly believe we lost something with the dependence on computers for everything.

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#33

Post by icegreentea2 »

ilamont wrote: post #28

Ironically, the plane was dripping, much like the misshapen model had assembled in my youth. Fuel was seeping through the joints, raining down on the hangar floor. At Mach 3, the plane would expand several inches because of the severe temperature, which could heat the leading edge of the wing to 1,100 degrees. To prevent cracking, expansion joints had been built into the plane. Sealant resembling rubber glue covered…

Yes. But also the fuel used was also very difficult to light (consequence of it's design requirements), so at least as a fire hazard, it was probably relatively well controlled.

Uh health risks... shrug. The pilot is wearing most of a space suit. Who knows whats up with the ground crew though.

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#34

Post by sampo »

scrlk wrote: post #2

It's a shame that the book that this story came from - Sled Driver by Brian Shul - is out of print. The SR-71 speed check story is another good read: https://www.thesr71blackbird.com/Aircraft/Stories/sr-71-blac...

You can get a digital copy of the book easily

https://www.google.com/search?q=Sled+Driver+pdf

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#35

Post by greggsy »

andrewflnr wrote: post #15
brightball wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe it's the upper limit to the SR-71's engine style based on air intake. If you watched Top Gun: Maverick since it came out they (spoiler) had him flying a prototype plane called the Darkstar to hit Mach 10 in order to maintain a military contract. During the flight, he switches engines to SCRAM Jet once he reaches Mach 3.5 because in order for those types of engines to have enough air intake to function, you…

I doubt they were absolutely convinced it was real, but still pretty hilarious. https://www.businessinsider.com/bruckheimer-china-moved-sate...

“The Navy told us that a Chinese satellite turned and headed on a different route to photograph that plane.”

I can only assume that China publish their targeting on some Twitter account? What ludicrous statement.

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#36

Post by saganus »

ilamont wrote: post #28

Ironically, the plane was dripping, much like the misshapen model had assembled in my youth. Fuel was seeping through the joints, raining down on the hangar floor. At Mach 3, the plane would expand several inches because of the severe temperature, which could heat the leading edge of the wing to 1,100 degrees. To prevent cracking, expansion joints had been built into the plane. Sealant resembling rubber glue covered…

In the "Skunk Works" book they explain that you could throw a lit cigarette directly into a puddle of fuel and it would not ignite, due to the very high temps needed.

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#37

Post by brightball »

greggsy wrote: post #35
andrewflnr wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt they were absolutely convinced it was real, but still pretty hilarious. https://www.businessinsider.com/bruckheimer-china-moved-sate...

“The Navy told us that a Chinese satellite turned and headed on a different route to photograph that plane.” I can only assume that China publish their targeting on some Twitter account? What ludicrous statement.

I don't think the Navy was watching Chinese twitter...

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#38

Post by cfeduke »

vlovich123 wrote: post #27

The dates in the story are confusing me. > My first encounter with the SR-71 came when I was 10 years old in the form of molded black plastic in a Revell kit. > Twenty-nine years later, I stood awe-struck in a Beale Air Force Base hangar, staring at the very real SR-71 before me. > In 1962, the first Blackbird successfully flew, and in 1966, the same year I graduated from high school, the Air Force began flying opera…

My thinking is high school graduation could be as early as 16 but more likely 17 or 18, so 1966 - 18 = 1948 (or 49 or 50). 1983 would be 35, though by the author's own math he'd be 39. I think its probably safe to discount "10 years old" memory for the Revell kit; I can't seem to find when the kit began production (because the Internet is about buying things) - but in order for high school graduation to be at age 18 then the kit would have to be produced and sold in 1958 which seems unlikely (or 1960 if graduating at age 16).

Re: Mach 3.5 Over Libya in an SR-71 Blackbird

#40

Post by HPsquared »

dboreham wrote: post #20
JustSomeNobody wrote: post #16

Amazing what engineers were able to do (build aircraft like the SR-71) before computers came along and made them less productive.

That said, it did require computers retrofitted to the engines to make the plane safe. http://www.enginehistory.org/Convention/2014/SR-71Inlts/SR-7... .

That task could have probably been done by a mechanical or analogue computer. Not sure I'd call that control system a full-fledged computer.
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