The SR-71 Blackbird

The CIA A-12 Blackbird Program

 

The A-12 started out as an USAF interceptor to replace the cancelled F-108A Rapier. In October 1962, CIA authorized the Skunk Works to study the feasibility of modifying the A-12 to carry and deploy a reconnaissance drone for unmanned overflight of denied areas. The project was codenamed TAGBOARD.

26 Apr 2018

History In Their Own Words - SR-71 Blackbird Pilot USAF Retired Colonel Richard Graham

Author: SR Admin  /  Categories: Events  /  Rate this article:
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Event date: 6/2/2018 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Export event

Vintage Flying Museum
505 NW 38th Street
Hangar 33 South
Fort Worth, TX 76106

The second installment in the History In Their Own Words Lecture Series is SR-71 Blackbird pilot USAF retired Colonel Richard Graham!

Colonel Graham flew F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam including "Wild Weasel" missions hunting down North Vietnamese Surface-To-Air Missile (SAM) sites.  He went on to fly SR-71's and eventually was selected to command the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing which operated SR-71's, U-2's, KC-135Q's and T-38's.  After retiring from the Air Force, he went to work for American Airlines flying MD-80's.  He is the author of five books on the SR-71, SR-71 Revealed:  The Inside Story, SR-71 Blackbird:  Stories, Tales, and Legends, Flying the SR-71 Blackbird: On a Secret Operational Mission,  The Complete Illustrated History of the SR-71 Blackbird.  Some of which will be available for sale and autographs.  Proceeds from the book sale benefit the restoration of only SR-71 flight simulator located at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, TX. 


Colonel Graham's Bio: http://www.habu.org/graham/graham-bio.html

The lecture is included in the normal price of museum admission:
Adult: $8
Teens & Senior Citizens: $5
Children (6-13): $3
Children Under 6: Free
Donations are appreciated though!
Light refreshments will be available.
Seating is limited so please come early to get a good seat.

Visits the museum at the link below.

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