A fantastic sr71 story airline pilot central forums. The listing includes all rsos and vips that flew in the aircraft. Sr71 blackbird pilot trolls arrogant fighter pilot with. Colonel grahams books on the sr71 include sr71 revealed. Retired sr71 blackbird pilot with a funny story to tell. You can step into the cockpit and see what it is like to fly the famous blackbird on a combat mission. The pilots that flew the sr71 had to be married because they were less likely to defect to the ussr. As we scooted across denmark in three minutes, we learned that a small raf base in the english countryside had requested an sr71 flypast. Here is a list of books that are, and have been published on the u2, a12, yf12 and sr 71, also the skunk works, and related subjects. The most significant cost was tanker support, and in 1990, confronted with budget cutbacks, the air force retired the sr 71. Oct 15, 2019 colonel grahams books on the sr71 include sr71 revealed. Why is there a requirement that you should be married to.
Apr 28, 2015 nevertheless, the sr 71 set a number of air performance records. The sr71 blackbirds most spectacular flyover was also its. Jan 01, 2008 flying the sr 71 blackbird takes readers along on an operational mission that only a few air force pilots have ever experienced. The blackbird was designed to cruise in afterburner at three times the speed of sound for hours on end. Graham provides a detailed look at the entire sr71 story beginning with his application. Feel the mach 3 power generated by lockheeds incredibly fast sr71 blackbird former sr71 pilot, instructor and wing commander, richard graham, presents the most intriguing sr71 stories ever told.
Sr 71 encounter another vignette from my days as a topgun instructor. This story has been kicking around the internet for awhile, but man oh man oh man is it worth a read. That time north korea fired sa2 sams at sr71 blackbird. Crew member, instructor pilot, chief of the standardizationevaluation division, colonel graham was.
I dont know of any ludicrous speeding tickets so i cant participate in todays qotd, but it did remind me of my favorite sr 71 story. It was operated by both the united states air force usaf and nasa the sr71 was developed as a black project from the lockheed a12 reconnaissance aircraft during the 1960s by lockheeds skunk works. Amazing tales of sr71 blackbird plane sr71 pilot col. People often asked us if, because of this fact, it was fun to fly the jet. There is a funny story about the blackbird coming from sled driver a sold out book by blackbird pilot brian shul. Sr 71 pilot and prior commander of the 9th strategic reconnaissance wing at beale afb in california, colonel richard graham presents his 3rd in depth book on the sr 71.
For example, in july 1976, it reached a staggering altitude of 85,068. Graham 2015, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Everest than have flown what remains the worlds fastest, highestflying jet. Graham about the sr71 an absolutely recommendation. The xmen team flew at supersonic speeds that rival the recordbreaking sr71. Single males are more likely to defect since there is nothing holding him back, especially if the co pilot is also single male.
Sr71 pilot and prior commander of the 9th strategic reconnaissance wing at beale afb in california, colonel richard graham presents his 3rd in depth book on the sr71. Thats why i read the complete book of the sr71 blackbird but there was a twist. Although it was introduced way back in 1966, and retired from service a whopping eighteen years ago, the sr71 blackbird remains among the most popular military aircraft of all time and for. A veteran of 15 years of assignments within the sr 71 community, he is uniquely qualified to tell the sr 71 story. I dont know of any ludicrous speeding tickets so i cant participate in todays qotd, but it did remind me of my favorite sr71 story. Every aircraft, pilot, and story from 1963 by richard h. The listing is from the first person to fly the aircraft to the last person qualified. Built as a strategic reconnaissance aircraft able to fly at 88,000 feet and mach 3, the iconic lockheed sr71 required aircrews to wear a special silver pressure suit to ensure their safety. Graham is currently a mission and check pilot with the civil air patrol squadron in dallas. Nevertheless the blackbird wasnt an easy plane to fly as sr71 pilot brian shul recalls in his book sled driver. The following story, that has been circulating on mailing lists and forums for a few days, recalls secret mission by a u. For anyone who has ever wondered what its like to fly the sr71 on a secret mach 3 reconnaissance mission, this book has the answer. He has written two books, sr71 revealed, the inside story, and sr71 blackbird. However, a bomber variant of the blackbird was briefly given the b 71 designator, which was retained when the type was changed to sr 71.
Not only does the narrative flow like a story but there is a lot of well presented technical. The lockheed sr 71, unofficially known as the blackbird, was an advanced, longrange, mach 3 strategic for anyone who has ever wondered what its like to fly the sr 71 on a secret mach 3 reconnaissance mission, this. The air cadet commander there was a former blackbird pilot, and thought it would be a motivating moment for the young lads to see the mighty sr71 perform a low approach. It was developed as a black project from the lockheed a12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by lockheed and its skunk works division. Aug 06, 20 sr 71 pilot interview richard graham veteran tales.
Sr 71b blackbird, nasa 831, slices across the snowcovered southern sierra nevada mountains of california after being refueled by an air force tanker during a. The aircraft flew missions around the globe at speeds above mach 3 and altitudes of 85,000 feet or more. Some stories first appeared in richard grahams sr71 blackbird. Topgun was making another trip from our home base of nas miramar in san diego to key west, where we had fewer distractions, access to extensive overwater training ranges, great weather, and could work with the local adversary squadron, attack squadron 45 va45. The blackbird was and remains the worlds fastest and highestflying manned aircraft. Flying the sr71 blackbird takes readers along on an operational mission that only a few air force pilots have ever experienced. Why is there a requirement that you should be married to fly. Former sr71 pilot, instructor and wing commander, presents the most intriguing sr71 stories ever told. This is an expanded excerpt from brian schul s book sled driver. Buzz carpenter recounts the aircrafts power and majesty.
A veteran of 15 years of assignments within the sr71. The air cadet commander there was a former blackbird pilot, and thought it would be a motivating moment for the young lads to see the mighty sr 71 perform a low approach. Graham, former sr71 pilot and 9th srw commander takes you there in his newest book on. Stories about blackbird aircraft lockheed sr71 blackbird. The most significant cost was tanker support, and in 1990, confronted with budget cutbacks, the air force retired the sr71. The point is that in order to tell the story of the blackbird, you must also tell. Graham 2002, hardcover, revised at the best online prices at ebay. Feel the mach 3 power generated by lockheeds incredibly fast sr 71 blackbird former sr 71 pilot, instructor and wing commander, richard graham, presents the most intriguing sr 71 stories ever told. Feel the mach 3 power generated by lockheeds incredibly fast sr71 blackbird. He was the fifth sr71 crewmember to reach the 900flying hour plateau. Graham usafret this book is a compilation of the best stories from habus, maintainers and engineers, all relating their personal experiences while flying and working on the blackbirds.
A book titled sr71 blackbirdstories, tales and legends. He flew 212 combat missions and was shot down near the end of the war. Included in the book is the previously classified pilots checklist. Growing up, id hear stories of the blackbird and i was in awe. Former sr71 wing commander rich graham tells the amazing inside story of the lockheed sr71 blackbird. This is colonel grahams second book and one of my favorites. Put your pressure suit on and strap yourself in for a mach 3 ride.
The blackbird had outrun nearly 4,000 missiles, not once taking a scratch from enemy fire. Feel the mach 3 power generated by lockheeds sr71 blackbird. He has written two books, sr 71 revealed, the inside story, and sr 71 blackbird. Test pilot bill weaver was flying an sr71 blackbird on an experimental evaluation flight when. Vida memorial fund, set up to preserve blackbird 972, whose 1990 transcontinental. Sr 71 blackbird stories tales and legends by richard h. The insane engineering of the sr 71 blackbird duration. Test pilot bill weaver was flying an sr 71 blackbird on an experimental evaluation flight when. Former blackbird pilot tells the story of one of only two. This may be the single greatest aviation story ever told, its about the iconic sr71 blackbird whose full operating specs are still classified to this day. He was so badly burned that he was given next to no chance to live. The following data lists all personnel who qualified to fly the blackbirds. Brian shul born 1948, is a vietnam warera attack pilot and a retired major in the united states air force usaf.
The lockheed sr71 blackbird spy plane flew more than threeandahalf times the. There were a lot of things we couldnt do in an sr71, but we were the fastest guys on the block and loved reminding our fellow aviators of this fact. Surviving, he returned to full flight status, flying the sr 71 blackbird. In this great little clip, an sr71 pilot tells a story about flying around the western united states to build up crew hours when small plane pilots started calling into air traffic control to ask. But you might find that the slowest flyby is as thrilling. They are listed in reverse order, newest books first. If ive missed some please email me with info on the book and ill include it on the list. Seeing an sr71 in the flesh at the new udvarhazy aerospace museum of the smithsonian was one of my highlights of working on a project in the dulles, va area a few years ago. Nevertheless, the sr71 set a number of air performance records. Yes, the fastest speed over the west coast is here.
The insane engineering of the sr71 blackbird duration. Stories, tales and legends first edition by richard h. The complete book of the sr 71 by richard graham, 9780760348499, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Surviving, he returned to full flight status, flying the sr71 blackbird.
Sr71 encounter another vignette from my days as a topgun instructor. Most commercial airline pilots would consider that a paltry amount of flying time, but few habus ever reached that milestone. A huge thank you to phil loignon for sharing his images from his 2 tours with the sr71. The sr71 blackbirds most spectacular flyover was also. Every loss was due to mechanical failures or pilot error. The aircraft flew missions around the globe at speeds above mach 3 and altitudes of. Listing of all personel who flew the blackbirds sr71.
You decide how much is fact and how much is just a great story. The lockheed sr71, unofficially known as the blackbird, was an advanced, longrange, mach 3 strategic. Aug 04, 2017 brian shul born 1948, is a vietnam warera attack pilot and a retired major in the united states air force usaf. It is a collection of individual stories from pilots, rsos and others associated with the program. Here are the first hand accounts by sr 71 pilots and reconnaissance system operators of their experiences while flying the worlds fastest jet aircraft. The story, from the now outofprint book sled driver by former sr71 jockey brian shul available. Blackbird diaries stories from the fastest jet ever flown.
This once highly classified program is fully revealed through the words of pilots, commanders, mechanics, and instructors involved in the blackbird s creation and flighttesting. Naval air station nas key west, florida april 1986. Stories, tales and legends by colonel richard graham. In the cockpit on a secret operational mission from the worlds largest community of readers. A huge thank you to phil loignon for sharing his images from his 2 tours with the sr 71. Jay miller was born and raised in indianapolis, indiana. The complete book of the sr71 blackbird by richard graham. Brian shul born 1948, is a vietnam war era attack pilot and a retired major in the united states air force usaf. The sr 71 designation is a continuation of the pre1962 bomber series.
Former sr 71 pilot, instructor and wing commander, richard graham, presents the most intriguing sr 71 stories ever told. Mckim were making their final pass on the dmz, heading southwest, when north korea fired two soviet sa2 sams at their aircraft the sr71, unofficially known as the blackbird, was a longrange, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the lockheed a12 and yf12a aircraft. Sr71 stories written by blackbird pilots this is probably my favorite. Former sr71 pilot, instructor and wing commander, richard graham, presents the most intriguing sr71 stories ever told. The pilots job was to get the rso in the back seat to the target area. Shul was the first pilot to write a book about flying the sr71. As grahams fellow sr71 pilot and author brian shul once noted, more people. The ultimate ground speed check tales from the blackbird. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Dec 20, 2017 the pilots that flew the sr 71 had to be married because they were less likely to defect to the ussr. Jul 18, 2017 in this great little clip, an sr 71 pilot tells a story about flying around the western united states to build up crew hours when small plane pilots started calling into air traffic control to ask. During the later stages of its testing, the b70 was proposed for a.
This once highly classified program is fully revealed through the words of pilots, commanders, mechanics, and instructors involved in the blackbirds creation and flighttesting. Here are the first hand accounts by sr71 pilots and reconnaissance system operators of their experiences while flying the worlds fastest jet aircraft. Included in the book is the previously classified pilot s checklist. Sr71b blackbird, nasa 831, slices across the snowcovered southern sierra nevada mountains of california after being refueled by an air force tanker during a. The sr71 was the last major aircraft designed with a slide rule. May 05, 2020 sr71 blackbird pilot, bill weaver, survived the aircraft disintegrating around him at mach 3. Sr71 blackbird pilot, bill weaver, survived the aircraft disintegrating around him at mach 3. As grahams fellow sr71 pilot and author brian shul once noted, more people have stood atop mt. Sr71 pilot interview richard graham veteran tales youtube. The detailed view on sr71 program from the insider, former sr71 pilot and 9th rw commander. Reading the history of the aircraft and learning that the particular blackbird in the smithsonian set a new speed record on its way to the museum was just amazing. Single males are more likely to defect since there is nothing holding him back, especially if the copilot is also single male. This once highly classified program is fully revealed through the words of pilots, commanders, mechanics, and instructors involved in the blackbird. Bio colonel richard rich graham, usaf ret, sr71 pilot.
1307 1476 851 696 1366 1002 924 300 1566 1253 562 568 1310 1076 1513 1221 1373 1315 1356 551 1333 1043 1423 1322 1541 1451 1414 355 1043 30 879 158 449 1096 877 742 111 550 293 1013 883 134 1299