SR-71 Blackbird: World's Fastest Plane Ever Built
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- Опубликовано: 25 фев 2021
- The SR-71 was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft during the 1960s by Lockheed's Skunk Works division. American aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the aircraft's innovative concepts.
The shape of the SR-71 was based on that of the A-12, which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section. At one point, a bomber variant of the aircraft was under consideration, before the program was focused solely on reconnaissance.
SR-71 Blackbird: America's Old Super Spyplane Is Still the World's Fastest Jet
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Thank You Наука
It’s still the best looking plane ever. But you know, they got something even better in the garage we ain’t gunna find out about for another 30-50 years ;)
Just a few years actually. They already officially stated they are making a new version that can hyper cruise at mach 6
@@richardbaldwin3604 the Aurora does Mach 6 they flew that 20 years ago to so
They don't need it. It's sort of like having the best pre-dreadnought ... in 1906.
@@gmain1977 I seen the Aurora plane cross the midwest sky late one night stargazing, it went from horizon to horizon in an unbelievable short time maybe 6 seconds and it was pretty high up, didn't even hear it until it was almost already gone,cool pulsing sound and trail cloud.
@@owlman4645 how long ago was that? The US denied it for years and only came clean few years ago on it
It's still amazing that this plane was designed in the 50s and yet it still looks just as futuristic as an F-22 or something
designed and first flown in the 60s, 2 years after the British Flaming pencil
Jesus is coming back. Believe He died for your sins and rose again then repent to be.saved.
Whats more amazing is the German HO-229 flying wing built in 1945 and still looks like it was built today.
@@IamaproudChristian22When? Im bored I wanna play now. He didn't do jack and I ain't repenting to no one son. Hail satan smoke meth
@@georgebarnes8163 A-12 / SR-71 designed in late 50s.
How lucky we were to have Kelly Johnson on our side . He was the guy that came up with the design for this awesome machine . Thanks Kelly .
Underrated comment and very true..
JESUS LOVES YOU SO MUCH MORE THEN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE
He was an American hero and patriot.
On your side? You did nothing to contribute our country you basement dweller so stop talking like you are a part of it
So true, as well, he designed and implemented the after-burner setup for the J-58 turbines!👍✌
The SR 71 is a work of art , it is a masterpiece .
The SR 71 still looks so futuristic !
SR-72 will start building in 2023 & it will be in service in 2030 .
SR-72 detail : Mach 6+ , unmanned & hypersonic aircraft
@@jzisers fun fact, it’s already been built :D and flown. So yeahhhhhh... but they will have it confirmed that it exists by the late 2020’s.
@@thecrapinmytoilet6892 and of course they have to perfect it. and don't forget while looking for new materials
Family friend helped design the exterior 😂
@@jzisers you mean first model was built pre 1990 and has been flown and tested 😂 why show off what you really got when your competitors are still decades behind 🤫 😄
The most beautiful aircraft ever designed.
That was the F4U Corsair
With the help of German master mind
Without a doubt a thing of memorizing beauty!!
@@funbirdsaditya7129 What German mastermind and which vehicle?
@@funbirdsaditya7129 but would not have happened without Robert Abernathy.
I fell in love with this plane when I was a little boy in the late '70's. They are huge, fast, and sleek. They were awesome!
The Blackbird is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made. It was made the year I was born and all these years later when I look at a picture of it I can't believe the design is so old. It was light years ahead of its time
My favorite Air Force jet ever. I get the fact that we have satellites now for surveillance, but that jet still looks like it fits in the modern airforce arsenal.
You can see a SR 71 at Huntsville Alabamas Huntsville rocket center along side a space shuttle with fuel tanks. As Saturn 5 rocket and many other interesting displays. It's pretty cool !
@@stevenmassey7586 Yeah I know, been there. I usually stop there every 2-3 years as I'm driving down on vacation to Florida.
@@rogercollins3 see ya next time !
Did you know it was actually called RS-71 until "somebody" said a "mistake" in live tv? xD SR-71 sounds cooler tbh xD
Satellites still can't provide real-time targeting data. Officers said they wished they had SR71 during Desert Storm.
I was lucky enough to have seen the Blackbird fly over my house. I lived about 1 1/2 mile from Hanscom Air Force base that had an airshow going on. It's a legendary airplane.
I touched an SR-71 when I was younger on an Air Force base
@@s1danem3 Man! I hope to see one, it'll happen some day
I live near a base in northern Virginia I have seen some wild stuff fly over my house but never the blackbird. One time thought there was a plane so wide it casted shade covered my entire block damn near 25 houses lmaoo it was crazy
AMEN GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME HOLY SPIRIT IS RISING ❤❤❤❤❤❤☆☆☆❤❤❤☆❤☆❤
I used to go to air shows there all the time when I was a kid. Sucks they shut it down.
If this is what we had fifty years ago, imagine what we have now.
We have kids watching tiktok and eating tiepods.
We? They.
@@vangthao4624 stupid comparison
@@vangthao4624 as opposed to the goobers back then watching Mickey Mouse and inhaling Asbestos.
It Would Still Be Classified For Years :/
The SR-71 in its time always looked like more than humans designed it. It seemed otherworldly. I was young at that time and always thought that they were built on another planet or designed there. Even now I think the shape and aerodynamics involved for that time period was wild. Whomever designed it they were very intelligent and forward thinking. It still has a futuristic look today.
Kelly Johnson was chief engineer at Skunkworks.
Just wait until you research x15s they put this slowpoke sr71 to shame.
He wasn't even talking about the speed of them...he was talking about looks and design...that's why I hate commenting some times... saying something that had to do with the original post is so annoying...
@@georgeblae5756 But X-15 will run nonstop for just 90 seconds but SR-71 for 90 minutes
@@aneshkumar4513 just like me 😎
What's still amazing is that it's top speed is still classified couldn't get much more cooler than that!
I was talking to someone involved with the SR71 and he loosely stated mach 3.9
@@keithbell6104 we still don't know tho
But it's fun guessing
To put end to the mystifications - You can download the Flight Manual. Just go to the graph called "Performance Envelopes". You will be shocked if you understand a little aerodynamics and airmanship. I don`t have it front of me but before SR - there was the French Griffon which should be studied a bit in detail too.
Probably, because it wen a lot faster and higher than advertised!
@Sean Fhhk why publicly release a faster one if your “competitors” still haven’t caught up? No sense pissing off tax payers when you can just keep em “classified”
“Donuts on a rope contrail”/ Seismograph readings may say otherwise 🤔 Fun to look into if you like aircraft/propulsion stuff 😂
Most beautiful airplane ever build!!!
I would have to say that honor goes to the North American P-51D Mustang.
@@dspates51 never! 2nd F14 perhaps 3rd
I completely agree Kroka, and I would put the F-22 in there as well.
Such a beautiful craft. The Naboo Star-fighter from Star Wars was partly inspired from the blackbird.
First tested in 1962!!! Skunk Works definitely had some very smart, cutting edge people. So far ahead of their time
I like how the narrator express at his last commendation.. The SR71 is still the queen of speed in the some times to comes.
I had the privilege to be stationed at Beale AFB, the SR71's home base from 1980-1988, and never tired of witnessing it's magnificence. The air shows were something to behold, with the SR always being the center of ear splitting attention.
SR-72 is under development
I lived near Beale in the mid seventies and got to see them on a high school tour :)
I’m at Beale right now A1C wish I seen the sr-71
It would have been an experience you would never forget.
Lived at Beale from summer of 1965 to December 1966. My dad was the SR-71 wing commander briefly. (He was the U-2 wing commander for four years prior.) He was promoted to brigadier general though quite soon after taking over the SR-71 wing and thus became the division commander...Brigadier General John A. Des Portes.
Kelly Johnson. Absolutely brilliant engineer.
This bloody thing was designed in the freaking 1950's!! Holy Smoke!!! Kelly Johnson was a genius! The only reason it doesn't go faster is heat. It's never been 'full throttle!' I've spoken to a few of the pilots, and they all said it was NEVER fun to fly. It required absolute concentration. It was always a half-step away from failure, either a mission failure or a catastrophic failure. But what an incredible airplane! The greatest flying machine ever produced.
Howard Hughes was a genius as well! Some of his ideas? Are still used in the Air Force today.
I saw a blackbird fly in the 80s while working for Hughes Aircraft! A spectacular sight!
Fun fact- The titanium used was purchased from the USSR. War is big business.
I don’t remember the details but the way it was purchased was clandestine. USSR didn’t know the USA was buying it.
Interesting, thanks for the info !
Still not even close to as fast as ufo's
@@clintonmorgan9068 a UFO can be anything but I will say I have seen a man in law chair with weather balloons one morning going down the interstate and that was a UFO like moment
😂😂😂
Still the fastest, badassest, most beautiful plane ever built!
I was stationed on Okinawa 1971 & watched it take off ,went down the runway & then it went straight up like a rocket & was GONE in seconds!! Coolest sxht I've ever seen still to this day!!
Not even close to the fastest plane.
@@michaelbritain5546 YUP... X-15 for example went twice the speed of the sr-71. People confuse SR-71 with being the fastest production built as being the fastest built ever. There is a difference between the two.
@@michaelbritain5546 What are you talking about? The only manned airplane faster than the SR-71 had rockets attached to it. And we can't even be sure if they were faster, b/c the top speed of the Blackbird is still classified.
@@james-p It doesn't matter what an airplane uses for thrust: reciprocating engine-prop or turbo-prop or turbo-jet or rocket propelled or gravity (glider), if it is using lifting bodies (wings) to fly and conventional flight controls for control then its an AIRPLANE. PERIOD. You are confusing a Rocket vs. "rocket -propelled." A Rocket has no lifting bodies (wings) to create lift, therefore it is not an airplane. The X-15 used lifting bodies, therefore it was an airplane that just happened be rocket-propelled. As stated earlier an airplane can use anything for thrust. Thrust is not what defines an airplane. Lifting bodies (wings) is what defines an airplane. So, The Space Shuttle when it enters the atmosphere is a conventional airplane which is using gravity for thrust and conventional flight controls (ailerons, flaperons, body flap and rudder) for control. Therefore, sir, the Shuttle is the fastest "PLANE" ever built. We all agree, the SR-71 is the fastest "turbo-jet propelled" plane ever built but it is NOT the fastest plane. And that is non-negotiable.
Such a fascinating story with the engineering behind it. How the amount of fuel out weighs the plane its self and why etc. 🤯 By far the coolest air craft I've ever laid eyes on !
Futuristic design from the past ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
S500 will manage it easily
SR-72 will be better it has speed of Mach 6
A masterpiece of a jet plane this SR-71.
Just sent this to Mom and Lil Sis for special reasons !!!
Happy Memorial Day !!
A work of functional Art! 🎨 I read it leaked fuel like a sieve on the ground but once in flight the gaps shrank and leaking stopped. My favorite plane as a kid and now.
Nobody finds it curious that in 1959 we didn't have color TV, we didn't even have radial tires, we were still running bias ply tires. But we had a jet that could fly well over three times the speed of sound and was stealth built to defeat radar... So we went from propeller planes in 1944 to this 15 years later. It's still my favorite plane, always will be.
The Roswell crash was in 1947 i was told we got Velcro and other things from them as well as the grandfather to the a12
Probably because we spend so much $ on such things. We are at over 50% of the discretionary budget going to the military.
Yeah makes ya think 🤔 how’d we make that jump but couldn’t invent a radial tire?? Awesome piece of engineering still to this day💪
Just trust me the info I got is correct there out there not trying to sound captivating
Roswell crash didn’t involve aliens and the craft was from this planet. We were told to believe it did. Aliens and spaceships were a cover for the dark truth of the actual incident.
Two of the greatest aeronautical engineering accomplishents that were best in mission and never replaced; The SR-71 and the A10 Warthog.
The A-10! LMFAO! And the Space Shuttle... Leaves the atmosphere as a rocket yet uses its flight controls for control on ascent. Then re-enters the Atmosphere as a conventional airplane at over 17,500mph and lands as a conventional aircraft. Nothing can top that greatest aeronautical engineering accomplishment!
@@ILSRWY4 The shuttle is without a doubt a great engineering accomplishment but since it rides a rocket up and glides down it is in a category all by itsel. It is clearly not an airplane. It was without saying one of Americas greatest accomplishments.
@@ILSRWY4 space shuttle was undoubtably a very impressive engineering feat, but to say it is the greatest aeronautical engineering achievement is laughable. the space shuttle program was shut down for a reason, it was an inefficient, expensive, and dangerous machine that claimed the lives of 14 people and was replaced. the point of engineering is to make things efficient, safe, and practical, and space shuttle was none of those things.
@@bobcrane9945 A10 has had the most reported friendly fire kills than any other warplane in the USAF
@@autumnspider1977 That would be either a pilot issue or a communication issue and nothing to do with the plane
My first engineering class as a college freshman was called 'Sliderule'. Have you ever used a sliderule or seen one? This plane was built by sliderule in the hands of engineers managed by Kelly Johnson in Palmdale, California almost 70 years ago. Just 50 years before, in a place called Kittyhawk, the Wright Brothers were trying to create powered flight. I think that is amazing.
Love this aircraft. I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall in 82 to 84 and we had 2 SR71s there. It was amazing to watch it take off from the flightline. I again got to see the SR71 at Edwards AFB in the early 90s being operated by NASA.
I was there with it then as an aircraft mechanic we stayed at The Bird in Hand Hotel just outside Mildenhall which was a det. That the RAF loaned us time to time
@@Marfoir0303 The Bird in Hand -- I spent a lot of time there. Awesome little pub.
Thank you for your service SR-71
Are you actually writing on the internet, to a plane.. which isnt alive and cant read or anything? cba stupid people writing their feelings for likes :P
SR-72 will have the speed of Mach 6
@@jzisers No it'll be higher. Mach 6 is just a hint... The chief said it'll be "over mach 6"...
One of the most fantastic and beautiful airplanes ever made ❤❤
AMAZING!! Just such a beauty!! What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and see this fly again!! 😍
Welp getting this on my Christmas list
I'm not a jet or plane nerd, but my god, this thing is mesmerizing. The fact that it was released when it was is insane.
2 FAST MISSLES CANT CATCH!THEY R 2 SLOW!BY THE TIME THEY LAUNCH,ITS GONE!
I used to refuel the SR-71 and U-2, when I was in the Air Force.
Thank you for your service!
Woah that's so cool
I used to refuel my station car on my daily commute before the lockdown. It has three turbos, one more than the SR-71.
凉
@@user-xl3dr5nx5u
ENGLISH please.
Crazy to think that in less than a century we went from Biplane to SR-71.
Far more impressive technically,. was Concorde. A Apollo astronaut said Concorde was a far greater technical acheivement than the Moon shot.
Thats when America was truly great, until traitors were allowed to steal secrets for the Chinese and Soviets
BADASS
"Sir, i caught you going mach 3.2 in a 70."
"3.2? thats a snails pace!"
"Sir, MACH 3.2 or roughly 2373 mph."
"*sonic booms away*"
85,000 ft at mach 3. Could fly seattle to Miami and back in Less than 3hrs. That's freaking fast.
X15 Mach 6.7 4.520 mph over twice as fast as the SR71. The A12 was faster than the SR71 the fastest documented speed is 15 mph faster at 2,208 vs 2,193 mph.
@@steve-ph9yg the X-15 was not an air-breathing jet.
@@robertruark8797 and your point is what the record books have a footnote listing the the X15 is a airplane with a rocket engine. The Bell X1 set a number of speed records in the same aircraft category it was also rocket powered as was it’s record setting stablemates the X1A and X2 ( the first manned aircraft exceeding Mach 3). The only way the SR71 is the fastest manned airplane or aircraft is by limiting what one can be defined as one or set other limits like production ones over experimental ones. The SR71 is in the official record book as the second fastest aircraft but unofficially it’s third since Lockheed has documented the A12 at 15 mph faster than the SR71. The reason the SR71 holds the speed record over the A12 is simple it was a black project long after it’s official retirement with everything officially secret any questions about it were credited to the nearly identical SR71. The Lockheed manufacture of both aircraft says the A12 is faster but was classified so the mostly unclassified SR71 received credit as the fastest. I think the best way I heard someone described the A12 was “ Spy’s don’t take out billboards “ .
@@steve-ph9yg the SR-71 is the world's fastest air breathing jet
@@steve-ph9yg What are you trying to prove here?
I love watching the “”The SR71 “” til my end ,I am 81
Are you really 81 years old😦
A true piece of engineering! Still love this jet as one of my favorite bomber. The Concorde is still my favorite passenger jet.
Cool aircraft, I was stationed at RAF Mildenhal in England in the late 80's, they had a couple of them there. So awesome to see them in person.
Crazy how most of the SR71 was fuel. Amazing how advanced this aircraft was. Can't wait to see what 6th gen fighters bring and the new B21 brings.
You forgot sr72?
Interesting fact, it was supposed to be called RS 71 but it was changed.
Crazy how most of the SR71 was fuel.
True. 60k pound aircraft. 80k pounds of fuel.
@@DavidEVogel and it leaked alot on the runway; The titanium had to heat up during flight to really form a seal.
@@Mark.G475 Not to upstage you, but I worked with the SR-71 at Beale AFB from 1977 to 1982. I was a member of the Physiological Support Division. Dressed and doffed the crew members full pressure suits. I am now USAF retired.
If I look back, I would have to say that working with the SR-71 and U-2 aircraft were the most exciting years of my life.
Flying triangles powered by antigravity for space flight seem to be another black ops from skunkworks?
One of the most beautiful birds man has created!
these aren't human made
Kelly Johnson was an absolute genius.
TRUE !
So this is what the X-Men use…
The blue guy invent it.
Dude, there is no X-men...
That was that first thing that came to mind when I clicked on
Yep
The worlds fastest that we know of
Exactly. They wouldn't "retire" something like the SR71 unless they had a better replacement.
Do you think China has a faster plane? Perhaps.
@@freeagent8225 I dont. The Chinese Military didn't even have a "stealth" fighter jet until it hacked the US and stole schematics.
@@trevorvolcom7 schematics? Last time I checked, the j-20 looks nothing like the American ones. Or I might be wrong
@@Royallz15 They stole the knowledge of how to make Stealth capabilities. Dude look it up. Stop. Go Google it. Get all of your information. Then come back her and conduct yourself in an intelligent manner.
Stood under one of these today! Very impressive to see up close
Thats got to be my all time favorite air craft. I wish i had one! We just need a space capable version now.
This was an impressive feat of engineering. I wish such technological wonders were developed for peaceful applications.
Well modern super cars are exactly that!
.
SR-71 Blackbird. I was obsessed with the name and the plane when I was a kid.
SR-72 will 3 times better than the previous aircraft
Didn't the blackbird travel so fast at one point, that the plane started to break apart from the sheer speed?
I had a 69 chevelle like that once!lol..
Thanks, I learned a few new things I didn’t already know. Appreciate it.
Great plane and great pilots.
Hats of to Kelly Johnson and his team.
Crazy how in the 60s they made such futuristic aircraft
Best looking jet ever to me. That sleekness, those huge engine nacelles... Such a speedy beauty!😍
2 FAST MISSLES CANT CATCH!THEY R 2 SLOW!BY THE TIME THEY LAUNCH,ITS GONE!
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@@user-ts8ep6mq7x Indeed it is mate! It's as close to scifi movies our tech has ever been. Faster than a missile, that's enough to get goosebumps by the mere thought!👍
Awesome jet. Still looks amazing.
powerful U.S. military👍💪💪💪
US has the best air force in all over the world.
US has amazing mind in designing best fighter jets
This plane gives me 1980's and 90's action cartoon vibes, like G force Gondum Wing, Swat Cats and transformers. Heavy metal rock music was playing in my head the whole video as well. Damn, what an effect.
The SR-71 is beauty and the beast combined into one.
It should return to active service again with modern avionics installed.
My favorite fact was that the titanium sourced to build the SR-71 came from Russia by way of espionage lol. The Cold War was an interesting time.
Not via espionage, from shell companies and civilian secondary sources.
@@theccpisaparasite8813 thank you
@@moustachio334 still it was a pretty nice one piece subterfuge
Used to see them every day in '68 when we were stationed at Beale - most beautiful/sinister machine ever made.
Satellites and drones can’t replace this awesome looking plane.
SR 71 is the best of the best ever man made aircraft in History !!!!!
A truly formidable plane
Even though it’s nowhere near the fastest plane it’s still looks amazing
Kelly Johnson and the Skunk works = freaking geniuses!!!
No airplane will ever be built to look leaps and bounds ahead of it’s time like this one.
The SR71 was actually much faster than stated
how fast foes it go
@@TheMilesx4 shhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Not to be confused with the real blackbird A-12, lighter faster and a higher ceiling, the A-12 is the fastest plane ever build, due to its secrecy it hides in the shadows and the sr71 takes the heat, testiment being,nobody even today speaks or even knows of the A-12
@@TheMilesx4
Mach 3.9 = 2992.35 MPH
@@MrProfessional777 Space Shuttle Mach 13 at 110k feet.
The 71 paved the way for the current stealth bombers, and fighters. You don't even know their there when you have your boots on.
Thanks for remembering the 71. It saved allot of us.
SR71- the best 'smoking mirror' ever built!, it's the A-12 that holds all records, year 2021 and nobody speaks of it, few even know such a plane exists, probably have seen one and assume it's the sr71, the A-12 is one of the best kept secrets in aviation history, pat on the back C.I.A well played
SR71 is still the Mac Daddy 👨
This plane was built 60 YEARS AGO, you know how fast aircrafts they probably have by now
This is amazing i can't imagine going that fast and it's good looking
This is such a beautiful aircraft!!!!
What a cool airplane. I wish I could fly one through the Grand Canyon at high speed and low altitude.
To those who are interested in such things, my 3 favorite aviation/science fiction art books are:
- Icon by Frank Frazetta
- Beyond the Horizon by John Harris
- Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy by Tim Gibson
Still Awesome ! 😎👍
Amazing video…thank you
I was introduced to this from cod back in the day haha. Still the coolest looking plane and name! Sr71 and blackbird alike
It’s a shame there isn’t one still in operation. I’ve never seen one in the air. It could do the Air Show Circuits and demonstrate its speed over the tarmac.
Every time i hear about SR71, it gives me goosebumps 🔥♥️♥️♥️
Great upload. Thanks
In the late 80s I got to watch one get its engines started, take off, and do two flybys over the runway. It was sooo LOUD!! My insides rattled during the flybys. The only other aircraft to rattle my insides was a Concorde taking off from Heathrow Airport while I was _inside_ a 737 waiting to takeoff.
I worked with a man who was in the air force and on the ground crew of the blackbird. He talked about how much fuel they leaked on the ground until they got to elevation and speed and the body heated up to stop the leaks
ny to london over an hour. Wow!
SR-71 Black Bird. The true maverick.
Great video! Very well done!
Acknowledged fastest plane in the world. The key word being acknowledged.
Acknowledged fastest plane in the world is actually the space shuttles. at mach 13 at 110k feet the the shuttles flew as a conventional aircraft using wings, ailerons, flaperons and a rudder.
Still the worlds fastest jet that we know about… I saw an interview with one of the engineers that helped build the plane and he said that originally the best color to paint the SR 71 and really all spy planes is pastel blue however, fighter pilots don’t fly pastel aircraft so black it is.
correct... fastest "JET" - not the fastest aircraft.
One of the finest examples of technology and engineering, and well as committed human teamwork. Nothing quite compares. They had to invent their own tools first!
Welcome to a world of technology
Seen one of these near my home in Atwater ca .. think they retired it after flying over Vietnam .. it sat in the old Atwater Air Force base in central California...very cool and intimidating looking
While stationed in Okinawa (77)as a young Marine some of us headed to Kaden Base for some Air Force food when out of the blue a 71 was coming in for a landing, what a sight to behold. It was the one and last time I ever seen one.
When I was a young Marine stationed in Okinawa in 1989, a lot of us went to Kadena to eat the Air Force food. It's funny you guys were doing that 12 years before us. I'll bet it still goes on today in 2021.
Was in Okinawa USMC in 75-76 used to see it in the sky all the time
I was stationed at Kadena AB from 82 to 84 when they took off at night you knew it ,when they fired those engines up seem like the whole base was vibrating you could see it coming down the runway from the barracks it would lift off and disappear in like ten seconds.
I was in Okinawa in 81-83 and can hear it take off as far as Camp Lester Hospital.
@@ronaldocastillo3455 Ronaldo I worked in the f-15 armament shop at the time,we use to take the shop truck and ride around perimeter road at night and you could see the blackbirds in the hanger that's as close as you could get,fun times Okinawa never a dull moment.
@@corneliusfogan8244, yeah I know what you're talking about. I drove around that perimeter road and you can see those Habus so close in those hangers.
Absolutely light years ahead of its time. No satellite or spy drone will ever have the commanding presence or the legendary status this gal does. Undisputed Queen of the Skies
The SR was the best air breathing aircraft ever built. It was designed by a room full of engineers with slide rules, (which predates the four function hand held calculator) working long hours and pushing the envelope of known design. Thank goodness for the far seeing vision of Kelly Johnson!