Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

Hi,

At first the title is a little weird, but as I was reading an aircraft encyclopedia, I reached the SR-71A page, under a subtitle, it stated that the SR-71A was retired in 1990, but 2 re-entered service in 1995, is this true or not, and if its true, are they still operational, I think not.

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Two re-entered service, were made flight-worthy but don't know if they flew operationally. They were both subsequently retired and IIRC handed over to NASA for spares on their two - which were subsequently retired. Last flight of *any* SR-71 was at the Edwards air show a few years back. I think it is fairly certain we will never see a Blackbird fly again... Sad

What a plane! So much potential, just thrown away like sh*t Sad

Ehhm , Karim, don't you think its safe to assume that in order to retire the FASTEST bird on the face of this earth, one must have something BETTER and more capable in service...? Wink

KarimAbdoun wrote:

What a plane! So much potential, just thrown away like sh*t Sad

You dunno the half of it Karim. It's one of the biggest mistakes the USAF ever made, and they know it.

Both Habu 967 and 971 were brought out of storage and made flight ready. But they never again flew an operational mission. It was too little too late I'm afraid.

Habu 967 was in storage at NASA Dryden test facility at Edwards AFB, CA.
It was moved to Barksdale AFB for display in early 2003.
Habu 971 is on display at the Evergreen museum in McMinnville, OR.

Sadly, a Habu will never grace the skies again. Sad

Fantasma337 wrote:

Ehhm , Karim, don't you think its safe to assume that in order to retire the FASTEST bird on the face of this earth, one must have something BETTER and more capable in service...? Wink

No, because it's not true. There is nothing in the current inventory or in development that replicates the exact misson the SR-71 flew: Global Reconnaisance.

Habu wrote:

Fantasma337 wrote:

Ehhm , Karim, don't you think its safe to assume that in order to retire the FASTEST bird on the face of this earth, one must have something BETTER and more capable in service...? Wink

No, because it's not true. There is nothing in the current inventory or in development that replicates the exact misson the SR-71 flew: Global Reconnaisance.

How do you know there isn't some blacker than black airplane out there? Wink

Ok Habu and #2 I'm in the dark, why is the SR-71 called Habu?

Eagle wrote:

How do you know there isn't some blacker than black airplane out there? Wink

I don't, but the mission hasn't been replicated. I'm sure there something out there in the works, but nothing like the Blackbird.

mohody wrote:

Ok Habu and #2 I'm in the dark, why is the SR-71 called Habu?

A habu is a venomous, but timid snake in the pit viper family. It's indigenous to Okinawa, and when the SR-71s were based there, the locals referred to it as the 'habu', because of the way its silhouette looked like a coiled habu, ready to strike.

The name stuck and was put on a mission patch that was given to a pilot and RSO after their first operational mission. Pilots, RSOs and ground crews were also called Habus. But now, that name extends to enthusiasts, much like the Ferrari fans are called the Tifosi.

Habu wrote:

Eagle wrote:

How do you know there isn't some blacker than black airplane out there? Wink

I don't, but the mission hasn't been replicated. I'm sure there something out there in the works, but nothing like the Blackbird.

You don't know that either-- or do you? Confused

One question for the two local experts-- where can I find a good technical drawing of the top/side/front view on the internet (or that you have)? All I have are some small ones in the numerous airplane encycolopedias of mine....
Also locations of galleries or any cool and / or rare pics of the magnificant bird (snake) would be welcome. Thanks!

Check the links at the bottom of my page

Famous Airplanes Of The World released their 100th aircraft profile last year, and it's got some excellent views I've never seen before. The drawings were new for the book. Would you like a scan? And which one would you like, SR-71, YF-12, A-12 or M-21?

SR-71, please! great site habu2, now to get you further up on google's list lol.

I still don't quite grasp how Ben's brilliant J58s really function, perhaps you gentlemen could enlighten me.
All I know is that they are turbojets (fans?) at TO and when at speed/alt they funtion as ramjets, coupled with those ingenious inlet spikes of Mr. Rich's. I guess my question is- how does the engine go from operating as a turbojet to a ramjet??? The way the two types work is very different I thought .... ramjets don't need turbines even, do they?? *sigh* thx for teaching a young'n. Very Happy

Well Jeff....the short answer is:
The J-58 os NOT a ramjet at all!
What happens is there's six huge bypass tubes that draw air from P4 and redirect it straight to the afterburner. This bypasses the burner cans and the air goes straight to the burners. The burners add a ramjet-like effect in that they draw in 'cool' air (by cool I mean 800 degree and not 1200) from P4 and it's instantly burned at the afterburner. This happens...I believe...top of my head, Mach 2.5.

I'll catch ya on AIM in a minute Jeff...

Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

SR-71A re-entry to service?