Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Model from Tailwinds by Maisto For Sale

The SR-71 was developed as a black project from the LockheedA-12 reconnaissance aircraft during the 1960s by Lockheed's Skunk Worksdivision. American aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson wasresponsible for many of the aircraft's innovative concepts. The shape of theSR-71 was based on that of the Lockheed A-12, which was one of the firstaircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section. Initially, a bombervariant of the A-12 was requested by Curtis LeMay, before the program wasfocused solely on reconnaissance. The SR-71 was longer and heavier than theA-12, allowing it to hold more fuel as well as a two-seat cockpit. The SR-71'sexistence was revealed to the public in July 1964; it entered service in theUnited States Air Force (USAF) in January 1966. In 1989, the USAF retired theSR-71, largely for political reasons; several were briefly reactivated duringthe 1990s before their second retirement in 1998. NASA was the final operatorof the Blackbird, using it as a research platform; it was retired again in1999.

Mission equipment for the plane's aerial reconnaissance roleincluded signals intelligence sensors, side looking airborne radar, and acamera. During missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes (Mach3.2 and 85,000 ft; 26,000 m), allowing it to outrace or entirely avoid threats.If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive actionwas simply to accelerate and outpace the missile. On average, each SR-71 couldfly once per week due to the extended turnaround required after missionrecovery. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents withnone lost to enemy action.