The SR-71 WAS officially designated the RS-71 (for reconnaissance/surveillance) but President Kennedy misspoke it when he revealed its existence; they then changed the designation. It came out of the Lockheed Skunkworks program.
I worked right on the flight line in the terminal at Kadena in 1970/71 and watched Habus take off and land all the time. They did leak fuel on the ground but their takeoffs (and landings) were amazing.
You’d see it barrel off on takeoff and it was gone from sight in a minute or less and landing was one very high altitude single 360 degree drop to the runway. All of them headed to or coming from west over China, I guessed. We ran a secure data link to them from the tech control I worked in.
ping
What were the preferred pronouns of the SR 71 designers ?
SR 71 pilot Brian Shul (LA Speed Story) has died.
Habubrats SR-71 ^ | 5/21/2023 | Linda Sheffield
Posted on 5/21/2023, 9:29:11 PM by CtBigPat
SR 71 pilot Brian Shul suddenly died last night in Reno, Nevada, at age 75, of a cardiac arrest.
(Excerpt) Read more at facebook.com ...
SR 71 pilot Brian Shul suddenly died last night in Reno, Nevada, at age 75, of a cardiac arrest. He is well known for his story speed check. He was a courageous man who fought his way back from a debilitating plane crash in 1973, His goal was to fly the SR 71, and he achieved his goal. Brian died doing what he enjoyed the most, talking about the SR 71. He was last night’s keynote speaker at the Nevada military support alliance annual gala. After his speech, he keeled over, and doctors in the house performed emergency CPR to no avail. Prayers for his family🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸 and his many Friends.
LA SPEED STORY - SR-71 Pilot Brian Shul USAF (Ret.)
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