Author Topic: SR71s at RAF Mildenhall (Read 834 times)

Replicant · « **on:** March 13, 2006, 02:49:51 PM »

Interesting article here.

Brings back rather fond memories. I went to many airshows during the 80s but my favourites were always at RAF Mildenhall between 1983-1990. Seeing the Blackbird was always something special.

Many miles from Mildenhall I was walking home one afternoon when I noticed up above seeing a SR71 with two T38s flying either side. I believe that particular Blackbird was returning to the USA. Was a rather fond farewell!

Who else loved this aircraft? I managed to look inside the one at Duxford but all the interesting bits, and seats (!), had been removed!

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:04:56 PM »

To me, it represented the epitome of sexy and mean looking aircraft. Considering when it was designed and what it can do. Well,..you really have to hand to the SkunkWorks guys (especially Kelly).

I got to see, be around, and sit in the cockpit when I was in the AF.

I remember the final publicly known flight setting a new coast-to-coast record. She was something to behold at speed.

Replicant · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:22:09 PM »

It's just an amazing looking aircraft, even now it still looks super cool!

indy007 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:40:21 PM »

In Kelly's skunkworks book they talk about fitting it with look-down/shoot-down radar and engaging 10k targets from 80k. That's just neat.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:47:32 PM »

How ironic this post is, my son just qualified in the M-21 (CIA version of the SR-71) yesterday!

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:50:49 PM »

SR-71 Flight Suit

Space Shuttle Flight Suit

Ripsnort · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2006, 04:02:40 PM »

Raider, I'm pretty sure you're mistaken. All the movies I've seen show this as the space suit.

nirvana · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2006, 04:36:39 PM »

Convict orange or piss stain yellow? Tough choice. Remember Raider, they were damn near close to space, so they need the suits to survive if the situation ever came to them having to pull the cord. I know, I know, you work at an Air Force Museum, but also know most of us here are, well, aviation enthusiasts to a point.

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2006, 04:42:52 PM »

yeah but the cold up there would probaly freeze of there visor

I quit that Musuem job found it to be boring:D

bj229r · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2006, 06:25:57 PM »

What's even COOLER about the SR-71 is that it cost $100,000 an HOUR to fly:aok (THat's in 1970's dollars)

Seraphim · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2006, 06:30:55 PM »

Ive always loved that plane. I loved it even more when I found out my grandfather helped buuild them in nevada.

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2006, 06:31:08 PM »

it had its drawbacks though

I think I read in article online that the SR-71 had to refuel about 20 minutes after take off but I'm not sure It was a gas guzzler though

john9001 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:33:07 PM »

it was originally designed to intercept russian bombers but by the time it was ready missiles had replaced bombers as the threat, so it was converted to recon work, some are still flown by NASA and the CIA.

Seraphim · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:34:00 PM »

It did, because before take off it's skin is porous, leaking fuel like crazy. When it gets to high speed, its skin contracts, sealing the tanks, but requiring immediate fuel. plus, cruisin at mach 3 does take a lot of gas

midnight Target · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:40:39 PM »

Saw one fly at Norton AFB in 1984. It made a couple of slow passes then lit the burners and went like a bat out of sight. The roar was deafening but I loved it.