Posted on 04/30/2013 5:22:57 AM PDT by EnjoyingLife
‘Blackbird pilot Brian Shul’s SR-71 was screaming across Southern California, 13 miles high and its crew were monitoring cockpit chatter as they entered Los Angeles airspace. Though they didn’t really control the SR-71, LA monitored its movement across their scope. The SR-71 crew heard a Cessna ask for a readout of groundspeed.
“90 knots” Center replied.
Moments later, a Twin Beech required the same. “120 knots,” Center answered.
An F-18 smugly transmitted, “Ah, Center, Dusty 52 requests groundspeed readout.”
Center (after a slight pause): “525 knots on the ground, Dusty”.
The SR-71 realised how ripe a situation this was for one-upmanship: “Center, Aspen 20, you got a groundspeed readout for us?”
Center (after a longer than normal pause): “Aspen, I show 1,742 knots”
No further groundspeed inquiries were heard on that frequency.
In similar vein (airport not stated), an SR-71 crew were listening in on a similar “match this” contest. A Cessna asked to clear to 4000 ft, a corporate jet requested clearance to 12,000, an airliner to 18,000, etc. Finally the SR-71 called ATC.
SR-71: “Request clearance to 80,000 ft”
Tower: “Just how in hell do you plan to get up there?”
SR-71: “Uh Tower, I’m descending to 80,000”.’
There is also an SR-71 at the Evergreen Museum in McMinnville Oregon. I touched it when I was there a couple weeks ago. The engine is surprisingly small for the power it produces. So is the aircraft, for that matter.
They also have the Spruce Goose, a B-17, and dozens of other aircraft, from MiGs to an Me 109 and (my jaw hit the floor) an Me 262!
Kelly Johnson and the Skunk works guys were all geniuses. Now we have Suckerbergs and the like.
My wife worked for Skunk Works on the SR-71 program. I asked how fast it can go. She said max speed is classified but it can go from San Francisco to New York in just under an hour.
I like the tail number that has been blacked out and then repainted a number of times to confuse the Russians. They used to do the same thing with their ships, often stopping mid-ocean and repainting different hull numbers to confuse us.
When our nation needs another Kelly Johnson, another Kelly Johnson will appear.
Just at present, we're preoccupied with navel-gazing. The next Kelly Johnson is out there though.
Well, they did repaint them, but the actual reason was due to communist bureaucracy, not deception. When Soviet ships changed from one command to another command (like our fleet commands) they changed side numbers.
Free Vulcan, great anecdotes.
When I was in the AF in the 70’s I was privileged to watch an SR-71 do a touch and go at our base in Sacramento. Magnificent plane.
Well, drat! Mrs. POF and I visited friends last summer in McMinnville for their daughter’s wedding. I had no idea that the Evergreen Museum was there or that it had an SR-71 and the Spruce Goose. Oh well, the hike into the mountains behind Multnomah Falls was pretty cool, too. Next time.
He told the story about being up in the nose gear checking on something when a butter bar, who had wondered out on the flight line ,was standing there gawking at the aircraft. He noticed he didn't have his security clearance badge visible, and decided to make an impression.
"Where the hell is your badge?"
"Wh-wh-which one?"
The mechanic held up a foot long wrench and growled, "The right #%$&ing one..."
Right you are!
Look Up, is the patriotic American way.
Also a Blackbird in the Space Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas.
‘ts’OK .. I herd you
SR-71 Blackbird has always been my favorite.. had chills when I touched the one displayed at Lackland AFB..
If I remember correctly.. at Mach 3, it took 5 states to do a 180 degree turn.. O.O
Ditto that for Seattle's Museum of Flight.
The modern "look" of the thing always amazes me, knowing approx. when it was designed.
Yeah, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I shall fear no Evil.
For I am doing Mach 3 at 80,000 feet and climbing...
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