The fastest plane in the world

CNN ^ | Tue March 10, 2015 | Thom Patterson,

[DUMBGRUNT]

In 1976 they smashed the world aviation speed record by blasting across the Western United States in America's super spy plane, the Lockheed SR-71.

[Sequoyah101]

Former days of glory and national pride. These beautiful masterpieces have had their guts pulled out and most are now collecting bird shite... what a shame.

[trebb]

I had a friend who worked at Nellis in the early '70s and was around the SR-71s. He said that they leaked like a sieve when on the ground because they were designed to seal up as heat caused expansion to occur. He also had some of the "pride tidbits", one of which was this scenario:

A SR71 is cranking across the Pacific and intends to land in NY after traversing the Nation.
As it reaches the California coast, it is told to abort the NY landing and land in California instead.
It is over Kansas before it gets turned around....

[hattend]

Stationed at Beale 81-84.

Watched the 4 AM launches at least 3 times a week.

200 feet of flame and the loudest alarm clock on base.

Awesome airplane

[ontap]

The only thing I remember is the “R” was for reconnaissance.

[CivilWarBrewing]

I like the SCRAM jet as well, as opposed to ram jet. Totally pushing an aircraft from behind the engine housing..

[hattend]

SR = Strategic Reconnaissance

[Pelham]

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[Steve0113]

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