SR 71A March 1990

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
  • SR-71A Landing at the National Museum of the USAF, March 1990. During its career, this aircraft accumulated 2,981 flying hours and flew 942 total sorties (more than any other SR-71), including 257 operational missions, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Palmdale, Calif., Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and RAF (Base), Mildenhall, England. The aircraft was flown to the museum in March 1990.

ความคิดเห็น • 955

  • @carolnma
    @carolnma 4 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    It was an honor and a privilege to be part of the SR-71 process from 1970 to 1977.

    • @chrisbeard5794
      @chrisbeard5794 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you for your service to our country.

    • @kennethsally2760
      @kennethsally2760 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you!!!!

    • @АлександрСмирнов-р4и2г
      @АлександрСмирнов-р4и2г 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Да, самолёт красивый и уникальный. Интересно было читать историю его создания. Привет из России! Миру мир! Нет войне!

    • @biddy6785
      @biddy6785 17 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Ditto for me 1968-1971. What an airplane.

  • @terrencejohnson85
    @terrencejohnson85 2 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    As an Air Force pilot, I was number one for take off at a California Air Base, when I was informed by tower, that I was cleared for immediate takeoff, or hold short for landing SR-71. I chose to hold short,and the big black bird landed right before me.

  • @gr8dfender742
    @gr8dfender742 5 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    I was fortunate to be assigned to the 9th SRW, 9th Organizational Maintenance Squadron during my time in the Air Force. Being a part of every day operations as a Crew Chief with this incredible machine was priceless. I miss it to this day. 30 years later

  • @miken8778
    @miken8778 4 ปีที่แล้ว +67

    Once in a blue moon everything just seems to come together perfectly. That's exactly what happened with the creation of this aircraft. Beautiful.

    • @billcouch8425
      @billcouch8425 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I flew f4s he was chugging fuel.

  • @markduffey686
    @markduffey686 4 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    Just consider for a minute that this work of aeronautical perfection was designed using slide rules, not CAD. Simply amazing that its first flight was April 20, 1962, and to this date, no other plane has matched its performance.

    • @brianmax8147
      @brianmax8147 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Alien tech !(fallen angel tech)

    • @Rhaspun
      @Rhaspun 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      There's something out there. I was watching a documentary one time. They showed a jet contrail that started from around Nevada and it went across the US and out over the Atlantic ocean. It was a continuous contrail. What ever it was that flew did it very fast. Contrails aren't going to last that long to along a continuous strip of such length. The photo was caught with private satellite. No way a US spy satellite would have given up that photo.

    • @snydedon9636
      @snydedon9636 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      None that you know of.

    • @markelliott585
      @markelliott585 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well said...

    • @crooked-halo
      @crooked-halo 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, that is absolutely amazing. This airplane is incredible beyond words. We do have the capability of building a faster jet, but there is no need presently.

  • @Obi-Wan56
    @Obi-Wan56 5 ปีที่แล้ว +360

    Today's jets may be cool...but they'll never be SR-71 cool!

    • @heychupacabras
      @heychupacabras 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      It's the Batman of jets

    • @akirafromwiisports5096
      @akirafromwiisports5096 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Dude you got 71 like Yeet

    • @TJGRecking
      @TJGRecking 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Until the SR-72 comes out.

    • @chipamos
      @chipamos 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      A10 cool.

    • @eac1235
      @eac1235 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@TJGRecking SR 72 won't be manned

  • @matte6352
    @matte6352 5 ปีที่แล้ว +132

    When I think of 30 years ago, I’m not thinking “1990” :(

    • @R3benga
      @R3benga 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      To think those kids are pushing 40 years old now. Damn

    • @jefferymaxfield7826
      @jefferymaxfield7826 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I thought same, 1990 does not seem 30 years ago! Lol

    • @TheMattc999
      @TheMattc999 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Right?!?

    • @Chief-Solarize
      @Chief-Solarize 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Those little boys are great, no wonder we joined the military.... Growing up in this era. All the WW2 granddads were still around to flame the fire.

    • @SanjanaRanasingha
      @SanjanaRanasingha 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah man damn I get that feeling too damn it I was just born I 995

  • @shannonchurchill4556
    @shannonchurchill4556 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Went to an air show at March Field in Riverside in the late 80’s, unaware that an SR-71 was not only going to do a couple fly by’s, but land and go on static display, dripping fuel as they do. I feel so fortunate to have happened to go that day or I would go to my grave not having witnessed the greatest piece of aviation technology ever created fly. But even today, having visited the museum at March solely to see their Blackbird on display, the thing gives me chills just standing there staring at it. It’s truly a legendary piece of aviation history. Sad that it is now only a museum piece, and will never have the wind under its wings again. Long live the King of Speed.

    • @MojaveDan
      @MojaveDan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I seen the blackbird at March many times. Little factoid about that bird is it's made from two birds. The vertical stabilizers come from a different bird than the body.

  • @khman1983
    @khman1983 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    I was in the Air Force and working at the Air Force Institute of Technology. We went to the roof of the building with General Boyd to watch the plane land that day. I saw it at a different angle and it was amazing to watch it fly into the museum. That is a very short runway and the engineers had to calculate the headwind in order for it to land safely at the museum.

  • @joshuastone8883
    @joshuastone8883 5 ปีที่แล้ว +196

    Still to this day the most beautiful aircraft ever made!

    • @mesteme
      @mesteme 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      SR71 is pretty, but it don't BRRRRT

    • @PJ08JDS
      @PJ08JDS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      AfterConcorde

    • @frankcrawford416
      @frankcrawford416 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yep it really is the most beautiful!

    • @witekj2323
      @witekj2323 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I saw it in Tucson - most beautiful I've ever seen and touched :-)

    • @rebecca2709
      @rebecca2709 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@mesteme who the hell knows what your saying

  • @hayleymason8123
    @hayleymason8123 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I grew up 5 miles from RAF Mildenhall, we could hear them take off in the morning. Will never forget seeing one punch a hole through a cloud on climb out.

  • @rogergibbs2937
    @rogergibbs2937 5 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    I still get goose bumps when ever I see that wonderful plane. An engineering marvel.

  • @xihuantiyu
    @xihuantiyu 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    It was such an emotional moment. The pilot simply didn't want to land. He knew it will be the last flight for this beautiful and magnificent airplane. What a brilliantly designed and built airplane. I wish I was there. I wish I had long lens and DSLR with me in 1990.

  • @davidmurphy2471
    @davidmurphy2471 5 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Nearly 30 years ago. Technology has soared and society has tanked

    • @robinruth3141
      @robinruth3141 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      David Murphy you can say that again

    • @dks13827
      @dks13827 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes sir that is true.

    • @denniscrane9753
      @denniscrane9753 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Man the good ol days!

  • @joem5110
    @joem5110 5 ปีที่แล้ว +228

    Last plane designed by a slide rule and no computer. Still today in 2019 it's the fastest plane that we know of.

    • @ilovebohol
      @ilovebohol 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Don't forget the x-15

    • @tibchy144
      @tibchy144 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@ilovebohol i think he meant air breathing aircraft

    • @ilovebohol
      @ilovebohol 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@tibchy144 true... although the YF-12A would be technically the fastest plane since it about 5k lbs lighter than the SR variant , flies 5k feet higher and was able to fly .05 mach faster 😊 and got 3 missiles. There's also an M variant, M for Mothership, that carries a drone which is on display at the Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington.

    • @silverschooner5821
      @silverschooner5821 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Winged Rocket! 😮🙃

    • @youtuuba
      @youtuuba 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Designed USING a slide rule.....no slide rule can design anything!
      And yeah, get the facts straight. Other airplanes have flown faster, but the SR-71 holds some speed records. For that matter, I hold the speed record for the fastest walk by anyone in a complete circle around my house at 2 AM.

  • @digranni128
    @digranni128 5 ปีที่แล้ว +77

    This happened in 1990 and only now TH-cam notifies me ! 😑

  • @Wonkabar007
    @Wonkabar007 5 ปีที่แล้ว +217

    Great how the pilot looked like he was landing, then did those unexpected flypasts, respect is due. 👍

    • @davidpidgeon5309
      @davidpidgeon5309  5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      either burning off fuel or making sure he planted it in the right spot. or giving her her last hoorah!

    • @digranni128
      @digranni128 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wonkabar007 parou de fazer vídeos? 😑

    • @Kreedogger
      @Kreedogger 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I am 110% in that he was giving it its last hoorah. Buck 10 sure.

    • @williamsparks6811
      @williamsparks6811 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I know the pilot. It was a last hoorah. He lowered the gear because of such low altitude. With a plane like that you MUST be prepared for anything. There were no mistakes with that flight. To hear him tell, the plane and flight planners made the flight. He was just honored to be the one in the cockpit.

    • @JamesJoyce12
      @JamesJoyce12 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@williamsparks6811 he lowered the gear because you are required to on every approach even if it is a low pass or touch & go

  • @davidmorrison7621
    @davidmorrison7621 5 ปีที่แล้ว +126

    Between October '74 and April '76 I was stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Kadena is a huge installation where all branches of the military conduct flight operations. The roar of aircraft landing and taking off 24/7 was just part of the background soundtrack of living on a busy air base. However, there was no mistaking whenever a Blackbird was taking off: it shook the earth like rolling thunder. If you were outside, the intense low-frequency rumbling literally vibrated your body. Then, when the aircraft cleared the runway, the pilot stood it on its tail and, spewing plumes of fire and black smoke, it shot straight up like a rocket, like a bat out of hell. In less than a minute, it vanished in the hazy sky and all was quiet. Still gives me shivers just recalling it. Just before I rotated stateside, the Air Base hosted an air show with flight demonstrations and static displays including the SR-71. The general public was allowed to get up-close-and-personal with this amazing flying machine. Pity it's no longer in service.
    On Okinawa, the Blackbirds acquired a nickname: Habu, venomous snakes found on this subtropical island. When SR-71s were first flown to their new remote base at Kadena, the local population thought this strange and wicked-looking plane was shaped like the habu snake. They started calling it the habu airplane, and later, just habu. Crews who flew the airplane were also called Habu, and the name came to be associated with the blackbird program and was even incorporated into the insignia worn by crews on their uniforms. Over time, Habu has come to be associated with all Blackbird pilots and crews, but in the truest sense of the word, it represents only those who flew operational sorties. Only those crews were awarded the Habu patch.

    • @trespire
      @trespire 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I can still vividly recall experiencing shock diamonds when our Phantoms used to roll down the runway fully loaded. Everything vibrated. The experience of twin J79 opening up at close quarters is physically ingrained in me.

    • @kenmajikina1
      @kenmajikina1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I was born and raised in Okinawa, and in 1974, I was on a summer church camp bus heading out to Nago which is in the northern part of the island. The highway went around the backside of Kadena Air Base. The timing was perfect, I was lucky enough to see a "Habu" taking off. It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life. I'll never forget that for the rest of my life. Thank you sir for reminding me of that great memory of my youth.

    • @АлександрСмирнов-р4и2г
      @АлександрСмирнов-р4и2г 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      David Morrison that was interesting!

    • @VayaconChupacabra
      @VayaconChupacabra 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That is a great telling of an interesting part of widely unknown history, and very well written! Thanks man!

    • @DerekDtj
      @DerekDtj 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      The SR-71 also provided many strike photos for our B-52D crews that enabled us to hit the NVN supply convoys coming down the Ho Chi Minh trail inside Laos and Cambodia. We were doing this from early 1966 on, all during the LBJ years, but our liberal, Democratic congress covered it up until after Nixon took office when they suddenly "discovered" that we were "secretly bombing Cambodia," and blamed it on the Republicans. Some things never change.

  • @occultustactical6138
    @occultustactical6138 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I used to work next to the “Habu” hangar on Kadena AB Okinawa Japan. They named the SR71 after the local snake, the Habu. We watched them fly everyday. It was one of the greatest displays of engineering when you see them preflight and the aircraft leaked fuel into large pans spread on the hanger floor. The pilot and Nav wore space suits since it flew on the edge of space. Awesome seeing this video bringing back all those great memories.

  • @Delta-gx4fm
    @Delta-gx4fm 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I lived on Beale for five years and had the pleasure of watching it fly many times. Beautiful aircraft.

    • @vincelule2633
      @vincelule2633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Boba Fett I grew up in Wheatland and had the pleasure of watching the SR-71 and the U2 for many years.

    • @Delta-gx4fm
      @Delta-gx4fm 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@vincelule2633 Nice small world, I went to Bear River Middle school. And then Wheatland High School before moving to Alaska.

    • @jpjp3873
      @jpjp3873 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      There used to be a little diner we would go get breakfast once in a while. There wasn't much to wheatland back in 89. I imagine it would be unrecognizable now! I heard Lincoln has more than one stop light now!

  • @OneLastHitB4IGo
    @OneLastHitB4IGo 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    There's an SR-71A in our AirZoo museum a mile from me. No matter how many times I look at that absolute marvel of technology I still get chills up and down my spine, and I thank God that Kelly Johnson worked for our side. Hard to comprehend that plane was capable of going over 1 mile in just 2 seconds.

    • @markchidester6239
      @markchidester6239 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I saw the one at the air and space museum in DC. Amazing!
      It would be worth it to fly there just to see this plane.

  • @brianogden9023
    @brianogden9023 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    I saw it take off and land many times in the 90's at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California. Never got old, extremely loud, flames shooting out of the engines 40 feet or more.

    • @JamesinAZ
      @JamesinAZ 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I remember seeing...no, feeling the SR do a flyby at Dryden back in 93. Shook my teeth, it was AWESOME!

  • @patrickfoley7794
    @patrickfoley7794 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Watched the “Habu” take of and land at Okinawa in the 80s, the sheer power of the engines was amazing. Never tired of watching the plane!!!

    • @fearlessbryan
      @fearlessbryan 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was there, too! 1985-88

  • @marshalloneill
    @marshalloneill 5 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    Awesome. Even those gobby little kids screaming all the way through couldn’t ruin it. Great video. Thank you.

    • @ammo8713
      @ammo8713 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      YOU GOT THAT RIGHT....
      AT LEAST THEY WERE NOT SMOKING DOPE OR ROLLING BUMS...GIVETHE KIDS BREAK ALREADY !!!

    • @tirepunk7367
      @tirepunk7367 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ammo8713 little shits ruined it.....bad parenting

    • @ladislavmalak444
      @ladislavmalak444 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@tirepunk7367 Absolutely!. Those screaming turds annoyed the hell outa me too.... :/ One of my all time favourite aircraft does not deserve a soundtrack like that....

  • @mikemarutz934
    @mikemarutz934 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I had the good fortune to go to the Edwards Air Force base air show to celebrate Yeagar's 40th anniversary breaking the sound barrier. In one hanger they had a U2 next to the SR 71 next to an x29. They took the SR71 up and it was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. As incredible as it looked on the ground it was just awe inspiring in flight.
    That was a GOOD day!

    • @Lookinthemirror
      @Lookinthemirror 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I was at that event as well and I am still in awe of that aircraft.

  • @knightlife98
    @knightlife98 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Look at those huge engines, attached to the fuselage by the thin, titanium, Delta wing! The head-on view is such an awesome view of this aircraft!

  • @chrisbeard5794
    @chrisbeard5794 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This truly is my favorite aircraft everything from the unique design to the record setting speed. Thank you Kelly Johnson for a true marvel way ahead of its time.

  • @leddyzee247
    @leddyzee247 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Magnificent, thanks for posting, happy 1K

  • @johnfowler4264
    @johnfowler4264 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    How Awesome is That?! I love to see the crowds and hear the huge enthusiasm of the kids. Very Cool!!

  • @willgeo2215
    @willgeo2215 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was with the 9th Avionics Maintenance Squadron at Beale AFB in 1990. Worked around these every day. It was a sad day when we sent them to Palmdale and museums for retirement.

  • @terrycureton2042
    @terrycureton2042 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I grew up in a small village on the Muskingum River in SE Ohio which happened to be under a flight path from the west coast to Washington DC, so it was normal to see planes flying East or West with their blinking lights at night. One clear night I was walking near the river bridge when I noticed a pair of bright blue unblinking lights silently but swiftly moving across the starry night sky from West to East. For years, I believed that I must have seen a UFO. Many years later, I learned about the SR-71 and it's speed run across the US and finally realized that it was the twin afterburner exhausts of an SR-71 that I had actually seen that night. That was the only time I ever really saw one in supersonic flight. Unforgettable!

  • @kutzbill
    @kutzbill 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My Father was on the team that designed that bird. They worked on the A-12. Such an amazing machine.

  • @SuperMouseDV
    @SuperMouseDV 5 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    Still the most amazing and beautiful plane ever created..

    • @Patmofar
      @Patmofar 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Except for Concorde. :)

    • @goneflying140
      @goneflying140 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      No, that would be the P-51 Mustang, but this is an amazing second....

    • @tomcollier9892
      @tomcollier9892 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Absolutely the truth.

  • @Walter_E_Kurtz
    @Walter_E_Kurtz 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was an SR-71 pilot for two years before I had to retire. I ejected over classified airspace and spent 47 days behind enemy lines. The rescue operation for me involved over 100 soldiers from 3 different military branches. When I finally made it back to the United States I was quarantined for over a year being debriefed on the incident. I sure miss those days and it was a privilege to fly the Blackbird. But those days are gone now, I mostly consult the Air Force for classified missions and train new pilots for other secret aircraft in development, but I can't really talk much about that here. I've got lots of stories and memories from this plane, sure was a blast.

  • @topturretgunner
    @topturretgunner 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The SR 71 is the coolest airplane I’ve ever seen. Clarence Kelly Johnson .... a genius!

  • @MegaPaul1973
    @MegaPaul1973 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    That Air Force museum is absolutely amazing and it is free.

    • @goneflying140
      @goneflying140 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I was there, and saw it in there. When you stand by it, it really makes you say WOW!

  • @noodles169
    @noodles169 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I remember watching a movie called D.A.R.Y.L when I was younger, and the young Android/human boy stole this plane at the end of the movie to escape and get back to his adopted family. Ever since I watched that movie, I became obsessed with this plane 😎👍

  • @J297WFD
    @J297WFD 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Had 2 of them stationed with us at Kadena AB and would always see them it was awesome. The night launches were the best.

  • @truckermike99
    @truckermike99 5 ปีที่แล้ว +242

    If you flew the world's fastest airplane and were on your last flight in it, would you want to land?

    • @robertmoulton2656
      @robertmoulton2656 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Exactly......

    • @groomlake51
      @groomlake51 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      truckermike99 NEVER!!!!

    • @marcliebhold9625
      @marcliebhold9625 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Hell NO!
      Kick in them afterburners, let’s meet a tanker and cruise around the earth again!
      I mean really, does it get any better than this?

    • @electrichellion5946
      @electrichellion5946 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      truckermike99 - Dude. When I was stationed over on Okinawa we used to see the Habu (SR-71 nickname over there) take off quite often. Really is a sight to behold. Landing we only saw a couple times and it was like this touch down. Only it came down near its hangar, the chute deployed and it was quickly wheeled into the hangar all with in moments of touching down. Verticals take offs were something to hear, feel, and watch until the dot was gone.

    • @Lets_Go_Brandon2024
      @Lets_Go_Brandon2024 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @truckermike99- Honestly, I'd make sure she is fully fuelled, aim her into space at Mach 3+ and fly into history and oblivion.

  • @knet221
    @knet221 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is my spirit aircraft \
    Not only was I born at BEAL Air Force Base but I also attended this show as a young adult
    This air plane was amazing for its time and beyond!

  • @robertschultz9264
    @robertschultz9264 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I was there, that day. I was fortunate to be stationed at Wright-Patterson, have a couple birds that I used to maintain in the museum.
    USAF Museum blows the Smithsonian away.

  • @MojoFromMempho
    @MojoFromMempho ปีที่แล้ว

    My father and I were at the museum that day. We had jumpseated (FDX) in to Dayton that morning. We had no idea the SR-71 was coming that day. What a stroke of luck for us. It was a great father/son day trip that I think of often since my dad’s passing 5 years ago. What treat for me to come across this video tonight!

  • @stardust6773
    @stardust6773 6 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Wow! Those low passes are awesome, thanks for sharing.

  • @hixnada8278
    @hixnada8278 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I was there! I saw it land as a kid in Dayton Ohio. What a great time. So glad I was able to see this video again. Many thanks.

    • @ob3knobe880
      @ob3knobe880 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hix Nada I was there too. Stationed at Wright-Patt from 1989 to 1996. Will never forget the sound of those engines. It was a good day.

    • @sparkymax4290
      @sparkymax4290 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I hope you weren't one of the annoying as fuck kids in the background noise of this video...

  • @georgevukelich607
    @georgevukelich607 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The Engineering behind this plane is incalculable!!!

  • @Redesignresearch
    @Redesignresearch 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for posting this. I had a base pass my work with TASC back then, and we were down there on the base side of the flight line for the landing as well. So great that the pilot wowed the crowd with two passes before landing. The coolest looking plane the US ever built.

  • @sprucecox1336
    @sprucecox1336 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thanks for the video. Magnificent aircraft, magnificent technological achievement at the time (and still going), amazing visionaries Kelly Johnson and Ben Rich, honorable Americans who built, maintained, and flew.

  • @expfighter5112
    @expfighter5112 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

    When i was stationed at Ft Campbell from 88-91 (had to be 1990) i lived in the barracks on the Campbell Army Airfield and one saturday i was out washing my car and i heard the roar of a plane i had not heard before, so i raced to where i could see the main runway. I looked to my right where the sound was and saw nothing, but then a black bird caught my eye to my left as it rose off the left end of the runway. It was an SR71 doing touch and goes on the huge Campbell runway. It went straight up into the sky about 5000 feet and did a slow right turn and just disappeared into the sunny sky. It was Awesome!

  • @1moredayof
    @1moredayof 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The most impressive thing that I've seen lift off from the face of the Earth was a military rocket launched from Cape Canaveral just before sunrise. The second the most impressive thing was watching an SR-71 takeoff just before sunset.

  • @vurbin
    @vurbin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Another technical marvel from the past. This will always be my favorite plane! This summer I got to see the Union Pacific Big Boy Locomotive in action, so hopefully I will be able to realize another dream of mine which is seeing this plane fly!

  • @hughcapetien
    @hughcapetien 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    About the same time and same year I witnessed another SR71 flying a low overpass on the Kelly AFB runway in San Antonio, Texas for its retirement to the Lackland AFB outdoor aircraft museum. The weather that day was horrible for its memorable end, but it was spectacular nevertheless. Its shell remains still reside on the Lackland airbase parade grounds.

  • @jofus3604
    @jofus3604 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    In 1970 I escorted a computer to Okinawa from Korea to install, maybe a 2 day job but I had chose not to fly home for Xmas so my Commanding officer gave me a week or so R&R. I was on the flight line during the unload and an MP tapped me on the shoulder and said "Come with me!" I always carried my camera, he told me to hand him my camera, wrapped it in a black cloth. I'm like WTF! He pointed to the extended runway they had built for B52s. They were towing an SR-71 out to the end, turned it around , in a few minutes it fired up, begun to move and it seemed almost instantly raised the nose and disappeared.
    As an old Warbird buff one the most impressive and excited things I have ever seen.
    Thank you Major White, Commanding Officer, U S Army Field Team, Korea!

  • @allanradcliffe6204
    @allanradcliffe6204 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    David: Thank you for posting this! I saw one at Abbotsford, BC, Canada and it truly was impressive! It was also when a US F-4 and Su pilot gave each other a ride and let them fly each others' planes. Sure different thinking now. Have a great 2019

    • @MaxwellPSmart
      @MaxwellPSmart 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I been to several airshows in Abbotsford I'm trying to think if I had seen a SR-71 there now. 86 was a phenomenal show Russia Brazil and cause of Russia even more than usual US. Canadian Forces pilot got a ride in a Mi 29 or other but the yanks wouldn't allow a Ruskie to ride a CF-18 in return .

    • @allanradcliffe6204
      @allanradcliffe6204 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MaxwellPSmart So is that why he got the F4 ride?

    • @MaxwellPSmart
      @MaxwellPSmart 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@allanradcliffe6204 must be an earlier instance I looked it up but it was 1986 when Bob Wade from CAFs got to fly a F-29 Fulcrum. The Russians were to fly a CF-18 but the Americans kiboshed it as it was their technologies. 1986 was thee best air show as it was coupled with Expo 86 which was travel themed . The SR-71 was on Static display for the first and only known time in Canada. The Russians brought out an An-225 ,what a monstrous beast which dig flybys .I was awestruck. The Brazilian Italian and French display teams performed and it was the Blue Angels from the US. Boeing brought out their NASA experimental blown wing transport plane to show some completion to the AN-74 production plane that performed. I would say the Russian planes were more impressive. Truly an awesome show and the attendance record still eclipse s any after.

    • @allanradcliffe6204
      @allanradcliffe6204 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MaxwellPSmart Those were good times! I ran a HAM radio live from EXPO and did Abbotsford too! ALso multiple attendances. I was in Kamloops once when I swear I was going to see a CF188 come in seemingly so far behind the power curve I thought we were going to see a busted nosegear, but..he knew the plane could take it. Then went vertical immediately after takeoff, having first gotten clearance from NORAD for unrestricted climb. Went super in the climb and shut off the afterburner and pulled back to a idle-glide to CFB Comox, where it came from. I like the Inertial positioning system, very cool, totally accurate.
      As a joke, (I hope) we now most likely could not afford the fuel for that nonsense haha. Take care from Allan, VE7EBA

  • @mattschubert590
    @mattschubert590 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was too young to ever see one of these beauties fly, but it was this year 30 years ago, so I'm glad that people had cameras to document these masterpieces

  • @mqbitsko25
    @mqbitsko25 5 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    Mostly designed in the 1950s. Still the craziest thing ever to fly.

    • @tomgates316
      @tomgates316 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Mickey Bitsko
      Amazing what they designed with a room full of slide rules. Even more amazing when you get into the details of how the engines function. Nearly rewrite some of the laws of physics.
      Just an incredible bird.

    • @lenguyen503
      @lenguyen503 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mm in

    • @algorel4763
      @algorel4763 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That’s when engineers had computers in their brain!

  • @victor-charlesscafati
    @victor-charlesscafati 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I heard the sonic boom when this flight went supersonic over the Los Angeles basin. As I remember it, this flight left from Edwards Air Force Base, looped over the pacific, said goodbye to the west coast with a stunning boom over the LA basin, and then tried to get to the Atlantic in under and hour, and I think that it missed by just a couple of minutes.

  • @murfrirhke4557
    @murfrirhke4557 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I cross trained and left Beale and the 9th OMS in 82. Sure miss my time on HABU in the docks...the U2 and TR-1 also.

  • @crustyrussd9709
    @crustyrussd9709 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was sitting in the bed of my pickup just down the hill on Colonel Glenn highway , right near the person that shot this video . It was awesome . I was a dependent at Edwards AFB and got to see many experimental aircraft fly , the neatest being the XB70 . This was by far more memorable . Thanks for sharing .

  • @icegiant1000
    @icegiant1000 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    When I was 5 I thought that was the coolest looking plane ever... in nearly 50, and I still think its one of the coolest looking planes ever. Yep, its cool.

  • @robwilkinson4358
    @robwilkinson4358 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    March 6, 1990. This beauty broke the sound barrier over Santa Barbara on it's way to the Aerospace Museum. It rattled our windows. So cool.

  • @fly4rnr
    @fly4rnr 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    So sad for those pilots knowing their SR71 was never to fly again.

  • @dobiem1
    @dobiem1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Mr Johnson's genius will be sadly missed.
    Brilliant man who's guidance produced so many fine specimens like this work of art.

  • @reedsilvesan2197
    @reedsilvesan2197 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I saw two SR-71 flying many years ago they were so high I could barely even see the contrail and they covered the sky in Montana from Horizon to Horizon in under a minute they were moving

  • @meanmadmonkey7762
    @meanmadmonkey7762 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for this video, I live in Dayton and see this plane when I go to the air force museum every time I go, I wish I had saw that live in person.

  • @carlosparacio5679
    @carlosparacio5679 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Ahhh, the good ol days when we had air shows.

    • @Paiadakine
      @Paiadakine 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Miramar, Edwards, Oshkosh, Fun n Sun, there are many.

    • @EFCasual
      @EFCasual 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I've enjoyed the bi-annual Westover ARB show several times throughout my life. The nighthawk was there when I was a child, f22 later, and the last time I went I was suprised to see a B 1a. Great stuff.

  • @georgeorwell4534
    @georgeorwell4534 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    She is hands down drop-dead gorgeous. The plane actually leaks on the tarmac. As she flies she expands up to 6 inches because of the speed. She is refueled in flight before she has to go supersonic. What a plane!

  • @jeffreymcfadden9403
    @jeffreymcfadden9403 5 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I was there, up on the embankment about 30 feet to the right of the videographer.

    • @rfd339
      @rfd339 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I was at Bragg, 2yrs in.

    • @topfuelsuzi
      @topfuelsuzi 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Jeffery, was the kid that loud? Too much soda pop in the heat methinks :-)

  • @k.b.142
    @k.b.142 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for this video.My 1st look.Great retired aircraft.The fastest recon aircraft ever.Frigging amazing aircraft.Also all the great pilots.Skill levels at the time to fly such a complex aircraft.Dont get me started on the logistics ,maintenance ,parts etc.Great video much appreciated

  • @charlesr5210
    @charlesr5210 8 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Nothing like landing at 180 knots on a closed runway.

  • @Carstuff111
    @Carstuff111 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Glorious, and sad, I wish I had the chance to watch at least one of these beasts fly. But, I did at least get to touch one in real life as a kid, so.....that at least makes me happy to think back on :)

  • @kennethc.bishop7090
    @kennethc.bishop7090 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I got chills when I realized that first pass was a fly by.
    I even pumped my fist in the air as if I was watching it in real time.
    I almost saluted.
    Thanks for the post.

    • @davidpidgeon5309
      @davidpidgeon5309  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah, we weren't expecting that. And twice!

  • @maxquad6846
    @maxquad6846 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My brother-in-law was stationed on
    Okinawa with SeaBee battalion
    back in the mid 80s
    He said he was kicking back on
    the beach right at sunset, when
    an SR71 flew low over head, then
    hit the afterburners and disappeared.

  • @msmeyersmd8
    @msmeyersmd8 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I saw an SR-71 up close on Armed Forces Day at Offutt AFB in Omaha NE.
    It was in a hanger but we could walk right up to it and take pictures from a few feet away.
    This was in 1970 or 1971.
    I was 11 or 12 years old.
    I still have some of the photos.

    • @АндрушкаРома
      @АндрушкаРома 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      fuck putin

    • @rfd339
      @rfd339 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Remember when me and my son were at Pope AFB airshow, the F117 was roped off with armed airmen around it. That was a something my son talks about to this day.

  • @delbydoo
    @delbydoo ปีที่แล้ว

    So glad I was able to see Blackbird flying at Mildenhall in its day. Pure magic.

  • @coronapack
    @coronapack 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I watched in San Antonio when one came in to retire. Was there with dad and sis. We grew up with them in kadena. Watching it retire sucked.

    • @Chief-Solarize
      @Chief-Solarize 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      There was a gutted SR71 on display at Lackland AFB when I was there. I had to get a selfie with it before I left.

  • @georgemallory797
    @georgemallory797 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was there that day. I will NEVER forget it.

  • @f86fman
    @f86fman 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Those wonderful "kids" are sorting out their own "kids" now! I hope their kids have something to be so enthusiastic about now. Signed: NMUSAF docent.

    • @jasonswiatkowski9127
      @jasonswiatkowski9127 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was there with my boy scout group just hours after it landed. Now I take my kids to visit it.
      Former NMUSAF Gallery guide

  • @bryanmorgan6217
    @bryanmorgan6217 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Saw quite a few launches in 83 at Beale, with afterburners, it still makes my armhears stand up.

  • @alexisortega9775
    @alexisortega9775 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This footage is pure gold!

  • @alexnutcasio936
    @alexnutcasio936 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The look and sound of freedom. Now, nearly 32 years later since she flew to her final nest , nothing compares.

  • @duradim1
    @duradim1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    A lot of jerks making rude comments about the children's sounds in the background. I hope you realize some of those same children may now be serving this nation because of what they saw on that day.

  • @dant111111
    @dant111111 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Was based at Nellis air base in Las Vegas late 60s early 70s one had emergency landing. MPs surrounded it walked it up to our hanger, kicked us out, flew in repair crew. Surrounded it, walked it back to runway and it was gone. We were a f111 group and I thought it was hot but sr71 right there with it. We all like to think we had the best

    • @camohawk6703
      @camohawk6703 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      my grandpa probably was in that repair crew. he worked at Lockheed for his entire career and retired from there. he also worked on a lot of classified projects and that plane was one of them. hell my grandma was the personal assistant to Kelly Johnson and knew when all the flights of the SR-71 were. it sucks that they are both dead though.

  • @robertmarx8430
    @robertmarx8430 5 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    I live about halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati Ohio. I requested the day off from work to go see it land. After they let it cool off for about half an hour they let the public go up and walk around it. The SR-71 drips fuel when it sits on the ground cooled off. Because the wings are part of the the fuel tanks. That's normal because once the aircraft heats up the wings expand and seal. I remember sticking a finger in one of the puddles of the JP-7 fuel to see what it smelled like and it was nasty smelling. And the funny thing that I remember was that I forgot that I still had it on my fingers and put my hand to my mouth later. I, to this day still cringe at the memory of the taste. Nastiest thing I ever tasted. It was the first and only time I ever got to see one fly.

    • @wolfpat
      @wolfpat 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was just going to ask if this was in Fairborn. My in-laws are there. Thanks.

    • @robertmarx8430
      @robertmarx8430 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@wolfpat They landed it on the strip near the museum.

    • @pensive69
      @pensive69 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      '...Nastiest thing I ever tasted...'
      hmmm the engines found that type of special fuel very...!tasty!

    • @kCI251
      @kCI251 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@f123raptor I love the smell of 100LL AvGas, it's phenomenal!

    • @jerrydixon9343
      @jerrydixon9343 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      What an exciting memory to have! The Blackbird is the only aircraft on my list of favorites I haven't seen fly...the P-51 was amazing to see and hear, that Rolls Royce V12 Merlin just sounds beautiful.

  • @davebowrin7361
    @davebowrin7361 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I worked at the Udvar Hazy center Air and Space at Dulles Airport. The SR71 is a lot bigger when your standing next to it. It was the best job. I loved it!😄😍😍😍

    • @dynjarren5454
      @dynjarren5454 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Just at the Wright Patterson AFB museum this past week...yes this plane is absolutely huge.

  • @toddlane4086
    @toddlane4086 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for the video. Always wanted to see one in flight, amazing.

  • @scottw550
    @scottw550 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    After an airshow near Vancouver, it flew just above the tree line over Central park near my house, went down to English Bay, did a wide 180 then climbed up over Grouse Mountain and up into the clouds you could still hear those engines thunder fade away for a few minutes later as it headed back to the States.

  • @johncarter665
    @johncarter665 6 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Awesome! But at the same time, sad. As the still very capable Blackbird taxis into retirement.
    I've seen her a couple of times at The National Museum of the Air Force @ Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton. I've spent whole days their on a couple of occasions. It does not get old.

    • @daleburrell6273
      @daleburrell6273 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      EVERYTHING HAS IT'S DAY, AND THEN IT BECOMES OBSOLETE...

    • @eaxnitro
      @eaxnitro 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Russians figured out a way to shoot one down, showed their hand but never fired the missiles. After that the game was up.

  • @AxelBitz
    @AxelBitz 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Those flybys were an incredible gesture of the pilot.

  • @gtc1961
    @gtc1961 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    During the Lebanon crisis in the early 80's I was in a navy recon squadron flying F-14's off the USS Independence. There were a few times we had to task Blackbirds to do "other" types of recon in the area. They began their turn over the target in Egypt and completed the turn over Cyprus....everything about this plane was monumental...so much so that it is still one of the best planes ever made and was designed in the 1950's....

    • @stevemoful
      @stevemoful 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      So cool, thanks a million for your service.
      While in Futenma Okinowa, SR71's would thunder straight up only at night and shake the island, local Japanese called them "habu". (1978-80).

  • @ulrikmortensen9426
    @ulrikmortensen9426 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This and the Draken are the most Outlandish looking vintage jets

  • @apieceofdirt4681
    @apieceofdirt4681 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Kelly Johnson’s Skunkworks finest!!! A total badass.

  • @oceanside2152
    @oceanside2152 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank You for posting this!!
    I was exactly there. With my children. Parked on the shoulder of the loop, nearest the departure end (same as this video)
    Now I'm going to dig up my VHS tape and if I can get it digitized, I'll post mine too. Was a fun Day , got my kids out of Parkwood Elementary and Ankeny Junior High , Beavercreek schools to come and see this. .. Beavercreek a stone's throw from wpafb Air Force Museum Runway here.

  • @dynjarren5454
    @dynjarren5454 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Funny how originally it was called the RS-71...but a simple typo error and it became SR-71. True story folks. Look it up
    Beautiful aircraft

    • @mateuszkowalski9229
      @mateuszkowalski9229 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      No, it wasn't typo. I heard that some politician who presented this plane at a press conference, slipped of the tongue and said SR instead of RS, which is an acronym from Reconnaissance Strike. Then the people involved in the project decided that the "SR" sounds even better and it has already remained.

    • @dougball328
      @dougball328 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@mateuszkowalski9229 President Lyndon Johnson, during his announcement making the airplane public knowledge, screwed up and said SR-71 instead of RS-71. Of course no one in the military was going to correct him ans Voila! We had the SR-71! I'm sure you can find the TV clip in TH-cam somewhere.

    • @dougball328
      @dougball328 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Ian Mangham Just trying to give a few people some laughs. Nothing more.

    • @mateuszkowalski9229
      @mateuszkowalski9229 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@dougball328 Exactly. That's what I wanted to say.

  • @001jetman
    @001jetman 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Can't tell you how much I appreciate this. I actually cried when I heard they retired the Blackbird. I've never seen one fly in real life

  • @glenzisko3928
    @glenzisko3928 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Make America great again please America never stopped being great truly awesome🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @johnpaulbacon8320
    @johnpaulbacon8320 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome Video. The SR-71A Black Bird has been my Favorite Plane for as long as I can remember. I was born at the Hospital on Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis , New Mexico while dad was in the Air Force. Now we live in Washington state In Federal Way which is south of Seattle and North of Tacoma. Since Seattle is the home of Boeing Air Craft Company - getting to go to the Boeing Museum of Flight which has the Last surviving set of the M-21 / D-21 aircraft and a cockpit from a SR-71A that crashed and the cockpit was able to be salvaged is Great. Without the Information the blackbirds got - you wouldn't be able to know how to use all of the other planes like the F-15's and such.

  • @60viking
    @60viking 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Look at the engines on the runway, oh there's a plane connected to them.

  • @rorynesta7766
    @rorynesta7766 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    this aircraft will forever be the highlight of any air show around the world.

  • @stephenmelton2532
    @stephenmelton2532 7 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    close call with birds at 2:43, they pass from right to left. Glad this baby didn't end it's career that way.

  • @MissionaryForMexico
    @MissionaryForMexico 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When I was stationed in Okinawa, we would drive down to kadena Air Force base, and watch the black birds (habu) launch and recover throughout the day. They would fly these huge missions requiring air refueling at least 2-3 times! The images were amazing, they were stereo, where you would be able to measure the height of objects with clarity! Most of the imagery I was able to view was involving being able to identify particular aircraft that was parked on runways, that was in combat quick turn ready status!

    • @neilbishop1686
      @neilbishop1686 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      The people of Okinawa near Kadena AFB would always watch from the top of HABU HILL....great times and great sights........