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.

4 Sep 2022

J58 Engine by Arnie Gunderson

J58 Engine by Arnie Gunderson

Author: OC Host  /  Categories: Engines  /  Rate this article:
3.6

The Air Zoo is a world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with over 100 air and space artifacts, inspiring interactive exhibits, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides, a theater and over 100 education programs!

 

Arnie Gunderson tells serveral great stories. A great description of how the start carts worked. Even talks about how they exhausted the supply of the 400 wildcat buick engines and had to switch to Chevy 454. Because the supply was the largest available. And then a double engine flameout at 80,000 feet.

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