by "Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
Published 11/21/2017 at 19:18
by "Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
Published 11/21/2017 at 19:18
Tags: Blackbird
; Speedcheck
STARS: 18
Someone posted this to a Facebook group I belong to for folks who grew up in the Antelope Valley during the Cold War decades. The shot was probably taken in the early-mid ‘80s near Lockheed’s Skunk Works facility. Back then we’d see them at least weekly.
"boredalways" (boredalway666)
11/21/2017 at 19:20, STARS: 1
*sploosh*
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
11/21/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 1
IKR?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/21/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 0
Wow.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
11/21/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
I’m gonna be That Guy and say it’s probably shopped. The plane was already in service for 20 years (ie, not a test flight) and they wouldn’t risk the asset with such low altitude maneuvers. Doesn’t appear to be landing. Maybe taking off, gear up a little early?
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
11/21/2017 at 19:29, STARS: 2
After Lockheed stopped build L-1011s in the ‘70s, they converted the enormous hanger/facility off Sierra Highway to the Skunkworks maintenance operations. U2s and SR-71s were very, very common sights for us. I’d place good money on the photo being real since I saw many similar sights. This was probably captured by some kid with a pocket instamatic, haha.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
11/21/2017 at 19:37, STARS: 0
My dad was in SoCal aviation circles in the early 70s and saw some crazy stuff, for sure. I was just questioning this particular photo, given the risk and how few of these were built. I love a good Skunkworks story. Even if it sounds too crazy to be true, it’s probably true.
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
11/21/2017 at 19:41, STARS: 4
My mom worked for North American/Rockwell for years. Started on the XB-70 program, had me and took some time off, then worked on the B-1 program until it wrapped up and went on to the Space Shuttle project without leaving her office at Plant 42.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/21/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 0
Daaaaaaang!!!!
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
11/21/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 3
SPEEDCHECK
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
11/21/2017 at 20:28, STARS: 0
ground hugging radar, (awesome pic)
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
11/21/2017 at 21:08, STARS: 0
Don’t start that again!
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
11/21/2017 at 21:23, STARS: 0
wow....that is awesome. Three of my favorite aircraft of all time, easily.
Shame about the XB-70 going obsolete so quickly, though (and, well, the test flights didn’t all go smoothly)
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
11/22/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 0
I’ve been fascinated with the Blackbird since I was a little kid. I’m saddened I never got the opportunity to see one fly while they were still in service.
One my “someday” goals is to make trips to visit every surviving A-12, YF-12, M21, and SR-71.
"Brian, The Life of" (familycar)
11/22/2017 at 12:36, STARS: 0
The crash was technically a photoshoot but, yeah. The other incidents are more reflective of how flight testing was back before comprehensive computer modelling, etc. There was still a lot of “take it it and see what happens” in 1965.