sherod

Not smart enough to link it, but a video just showed up on FB about North Korea firing a SAM at a SR in 1981. I was a ground station operator out of Osan AB SK, (L-52 if you know what that is), and heard and participated in the the radio traffic and response as it was happening. Kinda neat to stumble on personal history!

On the other hand, dang I'm getting old!

patdaly

This the one?

sherod

Yup! Kinda got exiting there for a bit! I was on the radio with both the SR and the U-2. Sure had fun with that job!

KATOOM

I had always been enamored by the sheer awesomeness of this plane. Loved watching TV shows about it and looking up information regarding the engineering marvels behind it.

Then one day I was lucky enough to meet and work with an older gentleman who actually worked in the SR-71/U-2 division back in the day. He told me stories that blew everything away I thought I knew. I dont know how much I'm supposed to ever tell either but lets just say that this plane was much MUCH more than you'll ever hear about. They also "say" that they're no longer used but who's to know.....

ftltmp

This has always been one of my favorite planes. Still the fastest plane and built off blueprints.

Humblecowboy

I was at Evergreen Aviation Museum mid August and was just outside the Air and Space building that houses one of them. I didn't find out it was in there until I landed in Denver on my way back the Texas. I had gone to see the Spruce Goose and didn't bother going in the other building. Remember the movie 'Liar Liar!'? "What are you doing?" "What does it look like I'm doing!? I'm kicking my A**!".
That's how I felt when I found out. :-(

sherod

9th SRW just lost a 2 seat U-2. Same Unit that had both the planes I'm talking about. One Aircrew died during the ejection. Not many 2 seat Dragon Lady's made.

Lary Ellis (Top)

I saw that... sad to lose the Aircrew and the airframe.....

1320Fastback

A couple of years ago I got to tour the workshop underneath the San Diego Air and Space Museum. They of course have the A12 out front on stilts but underneath they have one of the vertical stabs off of the SR's. I remember being amazed at how much the rivets protruded on something that went that fast! Also got a good shot of the inner structure as the top piece of the stabilizer was missing.


Interesting note: This stabilizer was for sale on eBay years and years ago for $40K I think it was. Don't know if the seller works at SD Air and Space or has the other Stab or?

Anyway pics are here, feel free to start on page 1! : Mission4Today ? ForumsPro ? R & R Forums ? Photo Galleries ? California Dreams...