See the Heat! - Rich Graham

Dimensions: 15.75" x 18.5"
Signature: Col. Richard Graham (USAF-Ret)

Plane Type: SR-71 Blackbird



An aircraft that needs no introduction, the SR-71 is an icon of aviation. Developed from the YF-12 high speed, high altitude interceptor, the SR-71 Blackbird is known for its high performance. The SR-71 Blackbird operated at altitudes of up to 90,000 feet and speeds over 2000 MPH. The airplane was painted all black to help dissipate the intense heat generated at those speeds. The SR-71 Blackbird is also designed to stretch a bit due to the thermal expansion created from the intense heat generated at high speeds. Used extensively on spy missions during the Cold War, the Blackbird was the fastest and highest-flying manned aircraft ever built. SR-71's were retired from Air Force service in 1997, but several were flown by NASA for research purposes until 1999.

Signature: Colonel Graham was selected to enter the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance program in 1974 at Beale AFB, California. After several years as a crew member, he was further selected to become an instructor pilot, and in 1978 was selected as the Chief, Standardization/Evaluation Division, which included the SR-71, U-2 and T-38 aircraft. In January 1980 he was selected to be the SR-71 Squadron Commander, 1st Strategic Recon Squadron, where he served until his assignment to Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama in 1981.

In June of 1986 Col. Graham was selected to be the Vice Wing Commander, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW), Beale AFB, California. In that capacity, he was able to fly all of the wing's aircraft: the U-2, T-38, KC-135Q, and SR-71. In June of 1987 he was selected to become the Wing Commander of the 9th SRW, where he remained until November 1988.

Col. Graham retired on 30 September 1989 with over 4600 military flying hours of which 966 were in the SR-71.

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. PLANE JUNKIE - See the Heat! - Rich Graham(SR-71 Blackbird)