THE BLACKBIRDS ARE FLYING
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Year Published: 1970s
Format: 16mm
Description: This promotional film for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird dates to the 1970s. Its purpose is to describe these amazing aircraft and their related abilities, and it was likely created to promote Congressional authorization of funds in support of the plane and its trainer variant. The film opens in darkness with an airplane taxiing slowly in front of hangars. A jet plane takes off into the darkness. Lockheed California Company. Advanced Development Projects. The Blackbirds are Flying. A black jet soars through the air, 1:15. The SR-71A, strategic reconnaissance aircraft, 1:33. The SR-71A exits the hangar, 1:46. The SR-71A approaches the runway, 2:10. The Lockheed Blackbirds, 2:19. The SR-71A takes off, 2:36. The SR71-A soars through the clouds, 2:40. The Blackbird soars at 80,000 feet, 3:00. View from above on the SR71-A, 3:15. The YF12-A, an interceptor, 3:21. The SR-71, a reconnaissance aircraft, 3:25. The SR-71B, a dual control pilot trainer, 3:32. J58 Engine, 3:40. Mid-air fueling, 3:42. The SR-71A soars through the air, 4:12. The YF12-A Interceptor rolls across the tarmac, 4:24. The aircraft are maintained on the ground, 4:40. The press at Edwards Air Force Base, The YF-12A flies overhead, 5:02. The pilots exit the aircraft, 5:26. Radar dish on the end of the aircraft, 5:36. AIM-47 missile is loaded onto the aircraft, 5:48. Drone is destroyed by the YF-12A in mid-air, 6:03. The YF-12A soars above the clouds, 6:48. The SR-71A, Reconnaissance bird takes off from the runway, 6:57. The pilot approaches the SR-71A aircraft with assistance, 7:12. The SR-71A rolls down the runway, 7:30. The SR-71B rolls down the runway, 8:04. The SR-71B soars through the air. An SR lands on the runway. 9:07. Parachute ejects from the back of the landing SR, 9:13. Pilots suit up with the help of their fellow servicemen, 9:32. Pilots don aluminumized outer shells to their suits and put their helmets on, 10:06. Pilot’s suits are checked for leaks, 10:55. Pilots climb the stairs to enter the aircraft, 11:18. Starter carts assist with starting the engines on the SR inside the hangar, 11:43. The SR exits the hangar, 11:57. The SR-71A takes off, 12:30. The SR soars above the clouds, 12:54. KC-135 tankers initiates mid-air fueling, 13:15. The SR comes down the runway, 14:15. The Ninth SRW (Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) of the Air Force oversee the operation of the aircraft. The Blackbirds are Flying. The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is a long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile. The shape of the SR-71 featured a reduced radar cross-section. The SR-71 served from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including "Blackbird" and "Habu". Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12. The SR-71A was the main production variant. The SR-71B was a trainer variant. There was also an SR-71C which was a hybrid aircraft composed of the rear fuselage of the first YF-12A (S/N 60-6934) and the forward fuselage from an SR-71 static test unit. The YF-12 had been wrecked in a 1966 landing accident. This Blackbird was seemingly not quite straight and had a yaw at supersonic speeds. It was nicknamed "The Bastard".
Complete Record: This promotional film for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird dates to the 1970s. Its purpose is to describe these amazing aircraft and their related abilities, and it was likely created to promote Congressional authorization of funds in support of the plane and its trainer variant. The film opens in darkness with an airplane taxiing slowly in front of hangars. A jet plane takes off into the darkness. Lockheed California Company. Advanced Development Projects. The Blackbirds are Flying. A black jet soars through the air, 1:15. The SR-71A, strategic reconnaissance aircraft, 1:33. The SR-71A exits the hangar, 1:46. The SR-71A approaches the runway, 2:10. The Lockheed Blackbirds, 2:19. The SR-71A takes off, 2:36. The SR71-A soars through the clouds, 2:40. The Blackbird soars at 80,000 feet, 3:00. View from above on the SR71-A, 3:15. The YF12-A, an interceptor, 3:21. The SR-71, a reconnaissance aircraft, 3:25. The SR-71B, a dual control pilot trainer, 3:32. J58 Engine, 3:40. Mid-air fueling, 3:42. The SR-71A soars through the air, 4:12. The YF12-A Interceptor rolls across the tarmac, 4:24. The aircraft are maintained on the ground, 4:40. The press at Edwards Air Force Base, The YF-12A flies overhead, 5:02. The pilots exit the aircraft, 5:26. Radar dish on the end of the aircraft, 5:36. AIM-47 missile is loaded onto the aircraft, 5:48. Drone is destroyed by the YF-12A in mid-air, 6:03. The YF-12A soars above the clouds, 6:48. The SR-71A, Reconnaissance bird takes off from the runway, 6:57. The pilot approaches the SR-71A aircraft with assistance, 7:12. The SR-71A rolls down the runway, 7:30. The SR-71B rolls down the runway, 8:04. The SR-71B soars through the air. An SR lands on the runway. 9:07. Parachute ejects from the back of the landing SR, 9:13. Pilots suit up with the help of their fellow servicemen, 9:32. Pilots don aluminumized outer shells to their suits and put their helmets on, 10:06. Pilot’s suits are checked for leaks, 10:55. Pilots climb the stairs to enter the aircraft, 11:18. Starter carts assist with starting the engines on the SR inside the hangar, 11:43. The SR exits the hangar, 11:57. The SR-71A takes off, 12:30. The SR soars above the clouds, 12:54. KC-135 tankers initiates mid-air fueling, 13:15. The SR comes down the runway, 14:15. The Ninth SRW (Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) of the Air Force oversee the operation of the aircraft. The Blackbirds are Flying. The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" is a long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile. The shape of the SR-71 featured a reduced radar cross-section. The SR-71 served from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including "Blackbird" and "Habu". Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12. The SR-71A was the main production variant. The SR-71B was a trainer variant. There was also an SR-71C which was a hybrid aircraft composed of the rear fuselage of the first YF-12A (S/N 60-6934) and the forward fuselage from an SR-71 static test unit. The YF-12 had been wrecked in a 1966 landing accident. This Blackbird was seemingly not quite straight and had a yaw at supersonic speeds. It was nicknamed "The Bastard".
Transcription
[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the sr-71a the strategic reconnaissance aircraft during the last few years the new species of aircraft has been introduced and is now operational designed to seek information vital to the planning of future military operations this vehicle has taken its place in the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command assigned to Beale Air Force Base in Northern California where it became the ninth strategic reconnaissance wing the sr-71 is a member of a new family of aircraft known as the Lockheed blackbird introducing many new and forward steps in aircraft engine and equipment design the Blackbirds brought into reality Mach 3 plus crews sustained high altitude over 80,000 feet all titanium construction the departure from aluminum to meet the higher temperatures encountered in this new environment three different vehicles make up this new family of birds [Music] the yf-12a and interceptor the sr-71 a reconnaissance aircraft the sr-71 be a dual control pilot trainer common to each model is basic size j58 engine air refueling capability internal subsystems speed and altitude envelope and a crew of two [Music] since the mission function of each Blackbird is different there are some variances in appearance and equipment carry now one at a time let's look at these three birds built for the air defense command the yf-12a interceptor was first flown on August 7 1963 delivered to the Air Force for a flight test program these aircraft were first announced by President Johnson in February 1964 [Music] they were then shown to the press at Edwards Air Force Base [Music] quickly proving to be the world's fastest highest flying aircraft the yf-12a set nine major speed and altitude records in a single day now let's look at the YF s mission function housed in the nose is the ASG 18 radar for fire control kite carried aloft internally is the AI m47 missile for area lodge [Music] during the test program launches at airborne drone targets proved to be highly effective [Music] target acquisition was demonstrated at extreme distances above and below the launch platform at ground level and at high altitude both over land and over water while developing the weapons system much valuable data was acquired in wall areas of the high-speed high-altitude spectrum information relative to sonic booms air currents aloft high-speed navigation skin heating and cooling engine Inlet configuration various data vital to the development of future programs [Music] the sr-71a the reconnaissance bird made its first flight December 22nd 1964 [Music] the first aircraft in this series was retained by Lockheed for manufacturers flight tests the airforce Systems Command at Edwards flight test center received the number-2 aircraft for operational testing both programs were conducted simultaneously to shorten the time span from first flight to operational use ready for its first flight about this time was our third family member the trainer model the sr-71 beat easy to identify because of its raised second cockpit and to lower fins the sr-71 B has performance capability nearly equal to the sr-71 pain [Music] pressed into service immediately training pilots for the ninth strategic reconnaissance wing the B model began operating at Edwards during 1965 and moved to peel in January 1966 first appearing about the time the nearby Auroville dam was completed SRS have now become a familiar sight in the Northern California skies [Music] the SRS brought with them to Beal many new and different operating procedures new to the airforce and unique and current flight operations as the physiological Support Division which prepares the crews for flight suiting up begins with a fully pressurized inner garment air pressure is supplied through a network of channels leading from the main inlet fitting to the hands legs back and neck for crewmember comfort a ventilation duct system is also provided the aluminized outer garment affords critical heat and wind blast protection build into this outer garment is the parachute harness survival kit and water flotation gear the helmet of fiberglass dome with anti buffett liner incorporates a face seal earphones and mic plexiglass visor and shave [Music] pressurized and heat-resistant clothes and boots complete the suit [Music] here a checkout is made to make sure all valves lines and fittings are operating properly also to check for leaks [Music] ground walk-around the attached portable unit ventilates the suit it can also supply oxygen to the helmet if pre breathing is required [Music] final suit checkout is accomplished at the flight line when crew men are hooked into the aircraft system as part of the cockpit check assuring maximum crew protection PSD personnel have a vital part in the success of every mission the flight line at Beale was planned so that engines start and pull out could be accomplished from within the shelter area to start the engine 600 horsepower starter carts are used once the compressor reaches a given rpm a liquid self-igniting chemical is injected into the combustion chamber and the engine has started designed as an all-weather aircraft rainy days and low ceilings do not prohibit flights of the sr-71 pre-flight check out is completed by the launch crew near the end of the runway with the cockpit located will forward pilot visibility is excellent take off roll is about the same as for current century series fire after liftoff climb to cruise altitude is quickly accomplished [Music] in-flight refueling by kc-135 tankers provides global rain after rendezvous the SR moves up into position the boom operator initiates hook up and a load of fuel is transferred [Music] with consecutive refueling range of the sr-71 can be extended to a point where crew endurance becomes the limiting factor while optimized for high-speed high-altitude performance the Blackbirds designed without flap slots or spoilers have retained excellent low-speed handling characteristics attesting to the soundness of the basic design [Music] approach and landing speeds are comparable to that of subsonic jet [Music] with little fanfare these amazing birds have slipped into the crippled sauna gay while pioneering continuous supersonic cruising speed and many new equipment items several thousand flights have been logged over half at better than Mach 3 manufacturer the air force the ninth s RW all are proud to be operating now an aircraft thought by many to be a decade into the future [Music] rain or shine day or night spanning oceans and continents the black birds are flying [Music]
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