In 1967 I was a USAF SGT at Davis Monthan AFB Tucson AZ, I along with two other guys were on "quick check" we checked the F-4 aircraft just before take off and pulled all the safety pins and the aircraft would then take off. We had a UHF and VHF aircraft radio in our runway trailer. I heard an aircraft call DM approach and request approach instructions, the controller asked "what is your location?" the pilot responded Dallas, controller responded " call again when you are within 15 minutes of the airport", the reply was " we are". There were two civilian pilots doing test runs and needed some maintenance on the aircraft. I was lucky enough to assist the SR-71 mechanics with the maintenance. one of the coolest memories of my 14 year career.
Small world. I arrived at Davis Monthan AFB in 1968. Worked with the U-2 program untill 1976. The U-2 moved to Beale AFB, CA, and joined the SR-71 program.
During my time in the USAF years ago I got the opportunity to see an SR-71 lift off the runway, full after burner, and rip the sky open. It's one of my most memorable times around all the fantastic aircraft I worked around. I'll never forget that sound.
My father worked for lance turner vaught, worked on the MLRS, space shuttle and numerous other projects including the B2 and the B1b upgrade. Once a year they would have a family day and allow us to to tour the non classified parts of the base and put on a show. This was early 80s. Got to see a blackbird do a full AB flyover trailed by 2 B1B's all 3 going supersonic as they passed us. Seriously to this day its the moment I remember clearest from my childhood
@@Oldsoldiersays if you dont mind me asking, what did he specialize in? Working on such a broad range of top projects leads me to believe material sciences..? Either way; its just a really cool subject, and you must be proud of his achievements.
@@Brock_Corb you would be correct. He was part of a group that specialized on thermal and fluid dynamics. He used to bring home samples of the space shuttle heat shield tiles. During his off time he took us around the country gold mining. That should tell you what he was into. Passed in 93 - but he was into everything and everyone used to come to see him on sundays to run a problem by him. Car issues, drilling wells in central texas, underground house designs etc. Totally random.
@@Brock_Corb reminds me - and thank you for bringing the memories back up. Its past time for me to do a deep dive on my father and record a documentary of his life.
@@Oldsoldiersays thats quite the spectrum of problems to solve haha. And interesting.. I too work with fluid dynamics. Unfortunately it isnt anything even remotely as cool as what your dad worked on... I just design different types of sprinkler systems (wet/dry/ESFR/ and on 2 occasions foam suppression for aircraft hangers(non-military obviously lol) ... It was very eye opening when I first started working day to day and seeing the scope/scale of planning and testing that goes into these commercial fire suppression systems for places like pepsi/tropicana(local to me in FL) etc..etc.. *However* .. that is but a "drop in the bucket" compared to being on the absolute cutting edge of material science innovation like your father was... I would give more then most just to be able to hear his stories / experiences. Man.. What a time to be alive....
These are the two funniest posts about the SR-71 that I've ever heard. Would have loved to have been at Sac Metro that day. On the way back to Beale from the east they'd over fly Reno. Sure made a distinctive howl going over us.
I could listen to this everyday over and over for the rest of my life. This reminds me of our greatness, our people and our technology but most important our people!
served in the AF and saw the blackbird takeoff off numerous times and came the to conclusion that this is not a airplane it is a rocket ship on wheels. short take off roll almost vertical climb out
I’ve heard both stories SEVERAL times still love them; I recently spent the evening in the ER at Mather VA (closed SAC & navigator training base) with a U-2 pilot GOOD TIMES!! Living in Sacramento since ‘66 I’ve seen U-2’s, SR-71’s and Global Hawks frequently and B-52’s, KC-135’s, F-111, F-15 & A-10’s & & submarine races in Folsom Lake
I also was in USAF in the 70 s at Edwards Saw this plane take off one night at dusk. Awesome is the only word I can think of. I cannot explain it. U had to experience that plane.
Razorel SilverFlare Back when they could still have some fun without someone getting their panties in a twist. This is pure gold. You can hear the pride in his voice and yeah a bit of cockiness, but I wouldn't expect anything less. I think they are entitled to a bit with the responsibility they have flying those awesome machines. Yes, even the the Navy deserves to have their moment as well. Just not that day.
..I read somewhere that very few people so that plane on flight ! ..SO , YES ..long long ago , ..one afternoon..I SAW a plane like that . SR 71 ..on a low flight above my village ..heading to a British base ..not to far away ..// ..CYPRIOT
OK old timers help me out here. We all know about the Mach 3 flights above 60000 feet. But do I recall a sortie where the crew did NOT where pressure suits. I think it was referred to as “low and slow.” The crewmenbers wore a regular helmet, oxygen mask and a vest.
And think that plane (SR71) was built in the 1960's. Before I got laid off from Northrop back in December 1994. I worked there for 10 years and 8 months. I heard rumors that the U.S.A. (Air Force) had a new plane that as far as speed goes. Would make the SR71 seem like an OLD model T Ford. Top speed of that car was like 30 miles an hour. (Going down a steep hill.) True or not on the plane I don't know. But popular mechanics had a magazine with it on the cover.
@@marknesselhaus4376, just a "wee" bit? I had some neighbors, years ago, who worked as air traffic controllers in the Air Force. While setting up the radar system for a practice maneuver, one of the new guys who had his radar set to cover 500 miles of air space had an unknown target enter his radar area. As he watched his screen the radar swept around past the indicated target it wasn't there. 180 degrees later it was shown just exiting on the other side of the screen, thereafter not to be seen again. With great excitement he called the CO over and played back this encounter. CO told him "you didn't see that" and walked away. New guy called him back and said " no, its right here", CO repeated his command " listen carefully, YOU DID NOT SEE THAT". Later they were told that it was the SR 71. Figure it out for yourself, 500 miles with a 5 second sweep was picked up 2 times. Yeah, I agree with you on that wee bit part. One day Richard was working at Hill AFB, when an announcement was made that the SR 71 was having problems and would be landing there in about 15 minutes and was now over Denver and anyone would be welcome to go out to see it. He immediately headed out. When he got outside 5 minutes later the aircraft was parked at the end of the runway, the pilots had disembarked and were walking away.
When i was a kid the house i lived in was in the flight path of the air pirt and got to watch many planes fly by over head - stationed at that air pirt were a wing of Canabara fighter bombers and at the airbase were B58's B47's and B52s it was a SAC base at that time- nothing like a bug jet making an approach to land
Obviously the shuttle, since the blackbird couldn't function safely above 120,000 feet and the edge of space is either 62 miles or 76 miles(depending on who you ask)
Matt Johnston add a Space shuttle to the end of LA speed story Center this is Endeavor S P E E D check please Endeavor - center we have you at, wait one tooooooo many 0’s Mach 28 and way up there BOOM BOOM BOOM
Years ago I had the opportunity to talk to one of the SR 71 pilots. He related a story about the times that they were operating at extreme altitude and the engines just cut out because they had exited the atmosphere. He said that they would just cut the fuel and wait. Eventually the plane would fall back, there would be a bit of buffeting as the aircraft bounced along the atmosphere, as he described it like waves on the ocean. Once thet were back down enough the engines would spool back up, turn the ignition on, add fuel and the engines would fire back up and away they went.
_for aviation israelian sr 71 black bird is very good interceptor becauase israel country the must had a avion plane millitary on more most great speed fast and f 35 is a layer of speed fast and a bad full millitary avion plane _repet israelian aviation had more most need on a interceptor on great speed fast__archaicxn lord
@@davidouradnik7925 _you say indescifrabill indisponibill and good bad your word s _i don t understand you r said _from massada 71 at 1948 the israel is memory of the country _you are arab or other... ?? _i don t understand.. _please go run from my... _archaicxn lord
@@AceBaracuda I spent 15 years working on the SR's hydraulic systems. I got to know almost all of the pilots, some I had met in other units. To a man, all will tell you don't believe Shul. We, maintenance personnel, could disprove some of his claims by data on the mission recorder system (MRS) tapes. I admire him for fighting back after his crash. I admire his photography. I doubt every word he says.
In 1967 I was a USAF SGT at Davis Monthan AFB Tucson AZ, I along with two other guys were on "quick check" we checked the F-4 aircraft just before take off and pulled all the safety pins and the aircraft would then take off. We had a UHF and VHF aircraft radio in our runway trailer. I heard an aircraft call DM approach and request approach instructions, the controller asked "what is your location?" the pilot responded Dallas, controller responded " call again when you are within 15 minutes of the airport", the reply was " we are". There were two civilian pilots doing test runs and needed some maintenance on the aircraft. I was lucky enough to assist the SR-71 mechanics with the maintenance. one of the coolest memories of my 14 year career.
Small world. I arrived at Davis Monthan AFB in 1968. Worked with the U-2 program untill 1976. The U-2 moved to Beale AFB, CA, and joined the SR-71 program.
During my time in the USAF years ago I got the opportunity to see an SR-71 lift off the runway, full after burner, and rip the sky open. It's one of my most memorable times around all the fantastic aircraft I worked around. I'll never forget that sound.
My father worked for lance turner vaught, worked on the MLRS, space shuttle and numerous other projects including the B2 and the B1b upgrade. Once a year they would have a family day and allow us to to tour the non classified parts of the base and put on a show. This was early 80s. Got to see a blackbird do a full AB flyover trailed by 2 B1B's all 3 going supersonic as they passed us. Seriously to this day its the moment I remember clearest from my childhood
@@Oldsoldiersays if you dont mind me asking, what did he specialize in? Working on such a broad range of top projects leads me to believe material sciences..? Either way; its just a really cool subject, and you must be proud of his achievements.
@@Brock_Corb you would be correct. He was part of a group that specialized on thermal and fluid dynamics. He used to bring home samples of the space shuttle heat shield tiles. During his off time he took us around the country gold mining. That should tell you what he was into. Passed in 93 - but he was into everything and everyone used to come to see him on sundays to run a problem by him. Car issues, drilling wells in central texas, underground house designs etc. Totally random.
@@Brock_Corb reminds me - and thank you for bringing the memories back up. Its past time for me to do a deep dive on my father and record a documentary of his life.
@@Oldsoldiersays thats quite the spectrum of problems to solve haha. And interesting.. I too work with fluid dynamics. Unfortunately it isnt anything even remotely as cool as what your dad worked on... I just design different types of sprinkler systems (wet/dry/ESFR/ and on 2 occasions foam suppression for aircraft hangers(non-military obviously lol) ... It was very eye opening when I first started working day to day and seeing the scope/scale of planning and testing that goes into these commercial fire suppression systems for places like pepsi/tropicana(local to me in FL) etc..etc.. *However* .. that is but a "drop in the bucket" compared to being on the absolute cutting edge of material science innovation like your father was... I would give more then most just to be able to hear his stories / experiences. Man.. What a time to be alive....
Those are the greatest pilots in the armed forces and they have best job as well.
RIP Major Shule.
I am a Army guy and I have listened to this several times now and laugh every time!! One of the best stories out there.
These are the two funniest posts about the SR-71 that I've ever heard. Would have loved to have been at Sac Metro that day. On the way back to Beale from the east they'd over fly Reno. Sure made a distinctive howl going over us.
I could listen to this everyday over and over for the rest of my life. This reminds me of our greatness, our people and our technology but most important our people!
Imagine flying a 767 after years on an SR 71 lol.
served in the AF and saw the blackbird takeoff off numerous times and came the to conclusion that this is not a airplane it is a rocket ship on wheels. short take off roll almost vertical climb out
I’ve heard both stories SEVERAL times still love them; I recently spent the evening in the ER at Mather VA (closed SAC & navigator training base) with a U-2 pilot GOOD TIMES!!
Living in Sacramento since ‘66 I’ve seen U-2’s, SR-71’s and Global Hawks frequently and B-52’s, KC-135’s, F-111, F-15 & A-10’s & & submarine races in Folsom Lake
The best story ever, me and my other half could listen to that guy all day long 👍🏻
I've heard this a few times & I always get a good chuckle out it. Thanks guys
I watched this video numerous time, fascinating SR-71 and great story told by gteat pilot, Salute!
This has got to be the coolest plane ever made!!!
Somewhere there is a retired Navy pilot with another version of this story.
lol yup! I thought this very thing
David Woodard his call sign is Maverick 🙀
Wouldn't you love to the navy version
I read where the navy pilot saw the SR71 on radar, and was hoping he would do a speed check after his.
I would love to hear the Navy version
I used to be ATC at CYEG. Love these stories.
That’s nuts
The engines on that thing can push that thing fast enough to melt the airframe
Fascinating story and mostly how pilots talked, legendary Blackbard, iconic.
Oh man, do I wish they had smart phones back than, so we could watch that happen on TH-cam 😀
Then
I listen to this most morning by way of orientation. One up man-ship par excellence!! Many thanks Gentlemen.
I also was in USAF in the 70 s at Edwards Saw this plane take off one night at dusk. Awesome is the only word I can think of. I cannot explain it. U had to experience that plane.
control center: you guys seem really childish
all the pilots: yap
Razorel SilverFlare Back when they could still have some fun without someone getting their panties in a twist. This is pure gold. You can hear the pride in his voice and yeah a bit of cockiness, but I wouldn't expect anything less. I think they are entitled to a bit with the responsibility they have flying those awesome machines. Yes, even the the Navy deserves to have their moment as well. Just not that day.
Amazing stories
Best tower buzz ever! Wish I would have been there.
Thank you for sharing those stories
I would've approved the Approach, as well, just to get a good look at this beautiful aircraft!!!
Sorry for the bad spelling fingers to big for the keyboard lol
I laugh everytime I listen to this.
Me too
..I read somewhere that very few people so that plane on flight ! ..SO , YES ..long long ago , ..one afternoon..I SAW a plane like that . SR 71 ..on a low flight above my village ..heading to a British base ..not to far away ..// ..CYPRIOT
OK old timers help me out here. We all know about the Mach 3 flights above 60000 feet. But do I recall a sortie where the crew did NOT where pressure suits. I think it was referred to as “low and slow.” The crewmenbers wore a regular helmet, oxygen mask and a vest.
We BAD😎. Awesome story.
God bless you sirs
“The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. An advanced long-range strategic reconnaissance aircraft capable of Mach 3 at an altitude of 85,000 feet!”
And think that plane (SR71) was built in the 1960's. Before I got laid off from Northrop back in December 1994. I worked there for 10 years and 8 months.
I heard rumors that the U.S.A. (Air Force) had a new plane that as far as speed goes. Would make the SR71 seem like an OLD model T Ford.
Top speed of that car was like 30 miles an hour. (Going down a steep hill.)
True or not on the plane I don't know. But popular mechanics had a magazine with it on the cover.
Mach 3+ and a wee bit higher than that ;-)
@@marknesselhaus4376, just a "wee" bit?
I had some neighbors, years ago, who worked as air traffic controllers in the Air Force. While setting up the radar system for a practice maneuver, one of the new guys who had his radar set to cover 500 miles of air space had an unknown target enter his radar area. As he watched his screen the radar swept around past the indicated target it wasn't there. 180 degrees later it was shown just exiting on the other side of the screen, thereafter not to be seen again. With great excitement he called the CO over and played back this encounter. CO told him "you didn't see that" and walked away. New guy called him back and said " no, its right here", CO repeated his command " listen carefully, YOU DID NOT SEE THAT". Later they were told that it was the SR 71. Figure it out for yourself, 500 miles with a 5 second sweep was picked up 2 times.
Yeah, I agree with you on that wee bit part.
One day Richard was working at Hill AFB, when an announcement was made that the SR 71 was having problems and would be landing there in about 15 minutes and was now over Denver and anyone would be welcome to go out to see it. He immediately headed out. When he got outside 5 minutes later the aircraft was parked at the end of the runway, the pilots had disembarked and were walking away.
@@brucejones2354 Yeah, that's why I included a wink after the wee bit. It is still and always will be my favorite plane. The B-17 is second :-)
@@brucejones2354 that’s 180,000 miles per hour. According to you. Don’t think so
2 navy pilots hit the thumbs down
Bellend Naval Aviators - but remember anyone can land on 10,000’ try 400’ at an oblique angel
Show us on the doll where the Airforce pilot touched you…
When i was a kid the house i lived in was in the flight path of the air pirt and got to watch many planes fly by over head - stationed at that air pirt were a wing of Canabara fighter bombers and at the airbase were B58's B47's and B52s it was a SAC base at that time- nothing like a bug jet making an approach to land
I would have loved to see that Bird in flight
That was fun
Beale was my first base. 95. Over 20 years in the USAF god, I miss it.
Question, if BLACKBIRD and Space Shuttle take off at exactly same time, which would be in space first?
Obviously the shuttle, since the blackbird couldn't function safely above 120,000 feet and the edge of space is either 62 miles or 76 miles(depending on who you ask)
Matt Johnston add a Space shuttle to the end of LA speed story
Center this is Endeavor S P E E D check please
Endeavor - center we have you at, wait one tooooooo many 0’s Mach 28 and way up there BOOM BOOM BOOM
Years ago I had the opportunity to talk to one of the SR 71 pilots. He related a story about the times that they were operating at extreme altitude and the engines just cut out because they had exited the atmosphere. He said that they would just cut the fuel and wait. Eventually the plane would fall back, there would be a bit of buffeting as the aircraft bounced along the atmosphere, as he described it like waves on the ocean. Once thet were back down enough the engines would spool back up, turn the ignition on, add fuel and the engines would fire back up and away they went.
Wonderbar
_for aviation israelian sr 71 black bird is very good interceptor becauase israel country the must had a avion plane millitary on more most great speed fast and f 35 is a layer of speed fast and a bad full millitary avion plane _repet israelian aviation had more most need on a interceptor on great speed fast__archaicxn lord
luigi ionascu Did you just cut every word out of an airplane article and shake them out of a hat? That is like the worst mad libs I’ve ever heard.
@@davidouradnik7925 _you say indescifrabill indisponibill and good bad your word s _i don t understand you r said _from massada 71 at 1948 the israel is memory of the country _you are arab or other... ?? _i don t understand.. _please go run from my... _archaicxn lord
@@davidouradnik7925
🤔...
I think it's trying to communicate with us 🤨
luigi ionascu leave us alone, we're not an intelligent species. as you've made very clear lol
@@notafuckinpplperson8233 _you are antisemit _huo nazi species without mind _archaicxn lord
Too bad this wasn’t videoed
Go air Force
my mom mm. M
Believe Maury don't believe a word Shul says. Only person to be fired from the SR program for lying on several occasions and brags about it.
Mike Wilkerson who cares,it’s a great bit of fun,he’s probably not lying,just breaking security
@@philbyd he's lying and did so on several occasions.
@@mikewilkerson7619 ok bud let's just enjoy stories
@@mikewilkerson7619 and what makes you think he’s lying? Don’t like people doing cooler things than you?
@@AceBaracuda I spent 15 years working on the SR's hydraulic systems. I got to know almost all of the pilots, some I had met in other units. To a man, all will tell you don't believe Shul. We, maintenance personnel, could disprove some of his claims by data on the mission recorder system (MRS) tapes. I admire him for fighting back after his crash. I admire his photography. I doubt every word he says.