M-21 with the D-21 Drone (Side View) - Bill Park

Dimensions: 18" x 16.5"
Photo Size: 8" x 10"

Plane Type: M-21 and D-21 Drone (Modified SR-71)



Under a classified CIA-sponsored project known as Tagboard, Lockheed developed the unmanned D-21 high-speed, high altitude reconnaissance drone. A modified, two-seat A-12 (redesignated M-21 for "mother" and carrying a reverse of the normal -12 designation) aircraft carried the D-21 (D for "daughter") aloft where the drone's ramjet engine would be ignited as it separated from the mothership at high Mach speeds. The first flight of the D-21/M-21 combination took place on 22 December 1964 flown by pilot William C. "Bill" Park Jr., but the first D-21 release from an M-21 did not occur until 5 March 1966. Two more launches were successful, but on 30 July 1966, a D-21 collided with the M-21 after release, destroying both aircraft and resulting in the death of one of the M-12's crew members. No further piggyback launches were attempted. A new launch system was then developed using a modified B-52H aircraft as the carrier. The D-21 program was cancelled in 1971 and declassified several years later. The nose and tail cones on the D-21 in this image were only used during early flight tests.

Framed with Signature of William C. "Bill" Park, Jr. - A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Park served in the Air Force during WWII and Korea. He joined Lockheed in 1957 on the F-104 program, and in 1958, flew on the F-104 program, and in 1958, flew and F-104 to 92,000 ft. He transferred to the Skunk Works in 1960, flying the A-12, YF-12, and SR-71 aircraft, and became the first pilot to reach the design speed of Mach 3.2. Park made the first mated flight of the M-21 mothership version of the A-12, carrying the trisonic D-21 drone in 1964. Bill made the first flight of the U-2R in 1968, flew the first U-2R carrier landings, and also made the first flight of the radical Have Blue stealth fighter prototype in 1977. Park is a two-time recipient of the Iven C. Kincheloe award. He was named Director of Flight Operations of ADP, and retired from Lockheed after a 32-year career in 1989.

About our Framing:
This Aviation Collectible is exquisitely Custom Framed with double mattes and comes in a 1 ½” Matte Black Frame. We've opened up the matte on the bottom to showcase the authentic pencil signature of the pilot's who flew this aircraft. All of our Aviation Collectibles come with a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure that the signatures are real and your purchase will be collectible for years to come.