GTP Alternative Cool Wall: 1964-1968 Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

[Roger the Horse]

Nominated by @Minty

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Manufacture: Developed with complete secrecy by Lockheed's Skunk Works division some time before 1964.

Secrecy: During it's first two years of service any information on the aircraft was classified, and after being revealed to the public, all equipment used to manufacture it was ordered destroyed.

Powerplant: 2 Pratt & Whitney JT11D-20s, making 32,500 lbf (145 kN) of thrust each, with a combined output of 65,000 lbf (290kN).

Speed: A cruising speed of Mach 3.2, with a restricted speed of mach 3.3(due to extreme temperatures) with reports of crews reaching Mach 3.5, or 2,664.22mph(4287.65kph).

Max Altitude: 87,000ft(26517m), or 16.47miles, limited only by the fact that jet engines need air to run.​

 

[TB]

I really couldn't give a crap about any aircraft on the planet. Except for this one. In fact, I seriously contemplated driving to Omaha just to go to the zoo and see the SR-71.

 

[JMoney]

I take back what I said about the Concorde. THIS is the coolest aircraft of all time!

 

[SagarisGTB]

Among the very coolest of the cool military birds, along with the Blackjack, Catalina and various WWII fighters. SZ.

 

[Parker]

Easy sub zero.

 

[Luminis]

How could anyone not vote SZ on the Blackbird?!

The only planes that come close in coolness, imho, are Griffon-powered Spitfires.

 

[Jahgee]

Meh, plane's aren't really my thing, at least this one doesn't look like it was punched in the nose like the Concorde

 

[Wiegert]

About 270 Kelvin cooler than the air at 85,000 feet. Even with a turning radius about the size of a US state, the dark majesty of the skies sits as one of most imperishable creations of modern engineering.

It also provides a good excuse to read this again.

 

[Exorcet]

About 270 Kelvin cooler than the air at 85,000 feet. Even with a turning radius about the size of a US state, the dark majesty of the skies sits as one of most imperishable creations of modern engineering.

It wasn't designed to turn, but the airframe isn't only good for straight line speed. The forward fuselage chines forshadown the LERX's of modern fighters, and like them contribute to vortex lift.

Speaking of fighters, there was a fighter version of this planned at one time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_YF-12

Probably would have been the ultimate interceptor as it arrived toward the end of 60's aviation speed craze and unlimited Cold War budgets.

 

[Lizard]

Sub Zero because it is the fastest thing on earth short of a space rocket.

 

[Exorcet]

Sub Zero because it is the fastest thing on earth short of a space rocket.

Not quite, the X-43 is the fastest jet. It's twice as fast.

 

[Lucas]

Remember when I voted Seriously Uncool on the Concorde?

Well, this is different. I quite like the looks on this thing, the name is awesome by itself, and I know it to be vey fast.

Sub-Zero.

 

[Dennisch]

Not quite, the X-43 is the fastest jet. It's twice as fast.

Hmmm. The scramjet. Simplicity bringing us all that speed.

 

[GranTurismo916]

Meh. I'm not interested in planes.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

No contest sub zero. This thing is epic.

 

[a6m5]

I really couldn't give a crap about any aircraft on the planet. Except for this one. In fact, I seriously contemplated driving to Omaha just to go to the zoo and see the SR-71.

That Museum of Flight I mentioned in the Concorde thread(ran by Boeing in Washington State), it not only let you walk through JFK's Air Force One & the Concorde(scary small inside), they have the Blackbird & its cutout cockpit visitors can sit in. Since the cockpit just sat inside the floor, it doesn't feel like a proper cockpit, but it was still very cool. I highly recommend it.

Edit: Maybe I remembered it wrong. It sure does look like a decent cockpit setup in this pic:

Don't worry, they have the complete plane, too.

 

[Dagger311]

SZ.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Anyone who votes this uncool is going on my ignore list. Instantly. This thing is one of the coolest things ever. The pilots were so elite that they were known as "The Untouchables." It's still the fastest manned aircraft ever built that can take off and land under it's own power. It flew at altitudes approaching 30,000 metres/100,000 feet. Each airframe was handbuilt, and as such each aircraft handled slightly differently. The engineering around the aircraft was completely new and very revolutionary. It was built by a division of Lockheed known as the "Skunk Works," which we still don't know about. It was the first stealth aircraft, designed to have a very small radar signature. I could go on, and on, and on about this plane.

 

[Dan]

Would it be rude of me to suggest this is basically the Veyron of the skies? Fastest (manned) thing out there and can't turn for crap.

I'm just kidding, but I seriously love this thing. It has to be my favorite reconnaissance plane. Absolutely amazing technology that I don't think will be surpassed for a looooooong time by anything in its class.

Sub Zero.

 

[Lizard]

Anyone who votes this uncool is going on my ignore list. Instantly.

Damn I already voted SZ.

 

[Minty]

There isn't a single aspect of this plane that isn't cool at the very least. Literally every minuscule detail about it's design contributes to it's speed and glory in a meaningful way, right down to the needle on the altimeter.

 

[Jahgee]

Anyone who votes this uncool is going on my ignore list. Instantly. This thing is one of the coolest things ever. The pilots were so elite that they were known as "The Untouchables." It's still the fastest manned aircraft ever built that can take off and land under it's own power. It flew at altitudes approaching 30,000 metres/100,000 feet. Each airframe was handbuilt, and as such each aircraft handled slightly differently. The engineering around the aircraft was completely new and very revolutionary. It was built by a division of Lockheed known as the "Skunk Works," which we still don't know about. It was the first stealth aircraft, designed to have a very small radar signature. I could go on, and on, and on about this plane.

You're making me wish vote changing was an option on GTPlanet

 

[DurWinning]

When it comes to planes I'm not interested. But this is weird, special, and pretty damn awesome. This is a Sub-Zero for me.

 

[Northstar]

Sub-Zero and here's why.

-The pilots had to pretty much wear space suits (U2 pilots had to wear them also)

-They really didn't need a missile avoidance system as it could just outrun them.

-It can fly from one coast of the U.S. to the other in just over an hour.

 

[Dan]

Sub-Zero and here's why.

-The pilots had to pretty much wear space suits (U2 pilots had to wear them also)

-They really didn't need a missile avoidance system as it could just outrun them.

-It can fly from one coast of the U.S. to the other in just over an hour.

Are those the same suits U2 pilots wore? They look very similar, but I don't know if they're made to work in different operating conditions.

 

[The Bman]

Fast, stealthy, innovative, insane maximum altitude.

This is the greatest aircraft ever made. Sub-zero, no questions asked.

 

[Northstar]

Are those the same suits U2 pilots wore? They look very similar, but I don't know if they're made to work in different operating conditions.

I have no idea if they are similar or not, I just know that both planes required pressure suits.

Here is more info on the SR-71 ones though.

 

[Wiegert]

They were designed and made by the same company for use in both aircraft. The only difference being operation altitude (70,000 Vs 80,000+ feet)

Album cover material.

 

[Panoz]

Earlier this summer I went to the Air Force Museum and seen both variants of the Blackbird. The YF-12 and SR-71.

 

[Dan]

They were designed and made by the same company for use in both aircraft. The only difference being operation altitude (70,000 Vs 80,000+ feet)

View attachment 218148

Album cover material.

If that isn't an automatic reason for Sub-Zero, then I don't know what is.

But man, that picture is so cool and creepy at the same time.