The Blackbird, developed as a spy plane during the height of the cold war from the YF-12 (a Mach 3 interceptor that never saw production other than 3 prototypes) had a skin made entirely of titanium. Designed by the renowned Lockheed Skunk Works, it had no need for armament because it was then and is still now capable of outrunning canon and missile fires. Even though the design is now 40 years old it is still the fastest known airplane in existence.

When the Lockheed U-2 flown by Francis Gary Powers was brought down over the Soviet Union (embarrassing, as we had just recently strongly denied that we were flying spy planes over the Soviet Union), it emphasized the need for faster and higher-flying reconnaissance aircraft for special missions. Ordered to replace the subsonic U-2 in the unarmed reconnaissance role, the SR-71A flew for the first time on December 22, 1964 from Palmdale, California. This plane entered service as the USAF's first Mach 3 aircraft in January 1966. The airplane was fabricated largely of titanium to maintain the structural integrity of the airframe when subjected to kinetic heating; at speeds in excess of Mach 3, for example, some structural components reached temperatures of 5,432 degrees F. And because aerodynamic drag increases dramatically with speed, the slimmest possible fuselage and thinnest delta wing were adopted for this airplane, together with integral lifting 'chines' for the forward fuselage to prevent the nose of the airplane from pitching down as speed increased. Production is believed to have totaled 32 aircraft, all two-seaters. By 1988 only six SR-71s remained operational and the aircraft was withdrawn from military service in November 1989, though three of these airplanes are still in use by NASA for research. Always able to capture world attention with its sizzling performance, the SR-71 allocated to the Smithsonian Institute captured another record when it flow from Los Angeles, California, to Dulles International Airport, Washington DC, in a staggering 64 minutes and 5 seconds, at an average speed of 2,153 mph. The surprise at the sudden withdrawal of the Blackbird fleet has lessened with the rise in reported sightings of a new and as yet unidentified high-speed aircraft which may be the SR-71's successor. The "black" aircraft, assumed to be a Lockheed design and code-named "Aurora", has been seen moving a high supersonic speed, with the resultant sonic "bangs" over Southern California. This mystery airplane is believed to be powered by a revolutionary new engine which leaves a distinctive "sausage-string" shaped contrail at high altitude coupled with an unmistakable sound. The SR-71A is powered by two 32,500 lb. thrust Pratt & Whitney J58 afterburning bleed turbojets, giving it a maximum speed of Mach 3 to 3.5 at 80,000 feet, maximum sustained cruising speed of Mach 3, and an unrefuelled range of 2,590 miles.

All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted Mahogany and come fully assembled with removable desk stand.

Dimensions: Wingspan, 10" -Length, 19" -Scale, 1/68

SR-71 1/68 scale - Air Corps Price $149.95

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This model is also available in precision polymer to exacting specifications. It is hand painted, and comes fully assembled with removable desk stand.

Dimensions: Wingspan, 10.5 " -Length, 20.25 " -Scale, 1/63

SR-71 1/63 scale (shown above) - Air Corps Price $159.95

Dimensions: Wingspan, 9 1/4" -Length, 18" -Scale, 1/72

SR-71 1/72 scale - Air Corps Price $139.95

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AM123AR or CS71 or CS71-Black // CS71TS - CS71TR

This department is part of the Wonders Never Cease / Clem & Company store