SR-71 "Blackbird", Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond, VA
Posted by: Inertial
N 37° 31.058 W 077° 20.021
18S E 293759 N 4154856
Static display of a 1966 Lockheed SR-71 at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond, VA.
Waymark Code: WMMXN
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/20/2006
Views: 99
1966 Lockheed SR-71
Flying three times faster than the speed of sound and higher
than 80,000 feet, the SR-71 is the most technologically significant
aircraft built since WW II. They flew thousands of hazardous
reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam, North Korea, the Middle
East and many other hot spots throughout the world. 29 A Models, two B
Models (two-seat pilot trainers), one C Model (two-seat trainer built
from two different airframes) were produced in the 1960s. Out of the
total of 32 SR-71s built, 21 are still in existence most serving in
museums. Of the 12 SR-71s lost, no USAF pilots or RSOs lost their lives
nor were any shot down by hostile fire.
Virginia Aviation
Museums aircraft, USAF tail number 61-7968,
set the
endurance record on April 26, 1971. Majors Thomas B. Estes and Dewain
C. Vick, flew 61-7968 over 15,000 miles in 10 hrs. 30 min. Non-Stop
(Time includes aerial refueling at subsonic speeds). Awards for this
flight include the 1971 Mackay Trophy for the "most meritorious flight
of the year" and the 1972 Harmon Trophy for the "most outstanding
international achievement in the art/science of aeronautics".
Technical
Information
Mission |
High Speed, High Altitude
Reconnaissance |
Crew |
2 (Pilot and Reconnaissance
System Officer) |
Construction |
Titanium monocoque with some
super-high-temperature plastics |
Length |
107 feet, 5 inches |
Wingspan |
55 feet, 7 inches |
Height |
16 feet, 6 inches |
Landing Weight |
68,000 pounds |
Maximum Gross Take-off Weight |
140,000 pounds |
Maximum Speed |
3.2+ Mach |
Maximum Altitude |
over 85,000 feet |
Maximum Unrefueled Range |
3,200 nautical miles |
Armament |
None |
Powerplant |
2 Pratt & Whitney J-58
High-bypass-turbojets with 34,000 pounds of thrust |
Program
Information (as of Jan 1990) |
Total Flight Hours |
53,490 |
Total Mach 3+ Time |
11,675 hours |
Total Sorties |
17,300 |
Operational Sorties |
3,551 |
Operational Hours |
11,008 |
Total Air Refuelings |
25,862 |
Total Crew Members |
284 (8 aircrew had 1000 hours
+, high time 1,392.7 hours) |
The aircraft is on loan from the United States Air Force Museum.
(Serial #61-7968)
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Lockheed SR-71
Tail Number: (S/N): 61-7968
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Virginia Aviation Museum/Richmond Internat'l Airport, Richmond, VA
inside / outside: outside
Other Information:: Museum hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30-5:00
Sun 12:00-5:00
Although this aircraft is part of the museum and admission is charged for displays inside, this aircraft is outside and fully viewable at all times without having to pay admission.
Admission:
3 & under: free
4-12: $4.00
13-59: $6.00
60 & over: $5.00
Access restrictions: Not listed
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Visit Instructions: Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored) Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica) Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.
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