SR-71 Blackbird At The Pump

SR-71 Blackbird At The Pump

Dimensions: 8" x 10"

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-71s were retired from Air Force service in 1997, but several were flown by NASA for research purposes until 1999. As seen in this photo, after the SR-71 takes off, it has a rendezvous with a KC-135Q tanker seven minutes later. The SR-71 takes off with a very light fuel load and after this refueling, the plane can fly up to 2,500 miles without refueling. The aircraft then accelerates to speed and altitude which is about Mach 3.2 at 85,000 feet. The SR-71 then takes photos of the targeted area and has another rendezvous with a tanker before returning home. After the flight, the photography equipment is removed and is analyzed immediately. The photography is then sent to the CIA, or whomever needs this valuable intelligence.