Author Topic: SR71s at RAF Mildenhall (Read 835 times)

Maverick · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:06:04 PM »

She's a grand old cold warrior. One of the best out of the skunk works. IMO one of the best looking of the fast movers. I was sorry to see them retired.

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:15:41 PM »

what is that white thing near the stabilizers?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:19:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Seraphim
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

Not quite right Serphim, but close. The panels of the skin were spaced apart to allow for expansion due to heat at high speeds.

She did leak fuel on the ground and in the air, until she got hot enough for the panels to expand. She was filled in the air for safety reasons. The fuel was much more docile below freezing and the leaks were minimal.

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:25:34 PM »

I don't see how it could carry bombs/missiles bombs would have quite a effect fall ing from 100,000ft.+

superpug1 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:35:02 PM »

gawd i love that plane. its an orgasm with wings. i saw one at an airshow just before it retired. pulled a few Gs, then lit out flippin fast. the i could see the tail from the engines and it was day.
to tell u the truth, that it the one plane without guns that i like. just think, if it was improved with higher output lighter more modern engines, itd b untouchable.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2006, 11:54:19 PM »

I used to rub up against SR- 71 engines like a cat in heat .(MEEEEEOOOOOW)

Got to sit in on a few test cell runs that were pritty cool .

Yes they leak from almost every orifice due to expansion while sitting static .

Debonair · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2006, 12:44:40 AM »

http://www1.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/Movie/index.html
about a dozen Blackbird videos at this URL & bunch of other top quality aeroporn also

Furball · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2006, 01:00:43 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by RAIDER14
yeah but the cold up there would probaly freeze of there visor

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

what did you do there raider?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2006, 07:52:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Furball
what did you do there raider?

I think he mentioned he worked the cash register counter...

http://www.sponge-buddy.net/staticfiles/staticfiles/21b/2.jpg

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 14, 2006, 09:07:03 AM »

I was the person giving the tours of the musuem but after 6 months of saying the same thing 30 times a day it got boring

Furball · « **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2006, 02:04:23 PM »

was that volunteer work or paid?

i can imagine that got old fast. you will always get a smart arse setting out to try and prove you wrong somewhere.

Seraphim · « **Reply #26 on:** March 14, 2006, 07:53:28 PM »

Two of the birds on static display in Palmdale, and also one of the engines

Ripsnort · « **Reply #27 on:** March 14, 2006, 08:06:49 PM »

Geez! Roped off? I'll have to take more pics of our M-21 (SR-71). You can walk all around it, touch it, and they have a cockpit mock up you can sit in.

Morpheus · « **Reply #28 on:** March 14, 2006, 09:11:41 PM »

I love this plane. Super cold war just like the tomcat. The tomcat is sexier but the black bird is on a different level.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 14, 2006, 10:22:39 PM »

Disclaimer: I am a nerd
The two M-21s were built from A-12 airframes, not SR-71.
A-12, single seat, bare metal finish, CIA plane, way cooler than the SR-71!!!