SR71 getting ready to launch

[manorbleak]

[Unknown74]

Out of interest what was the usual time for a Blackbird launch at the 'Hall? I was down spotting in the late '80s ('88 to be exact) and never saw one. The only SR-71 I've ever seen was/is Duxford's example.

[manorbleak]

Not sure there was ever a set time, we always knew when the KC135Q's started to roll.

Same applied coming back, if a lone Q bird landed you knew the SR was not far behind.

[graham luxton]

Out of interest what was the usual time for a Blackbird launch at the 'Hall? I was down spotting in the late '80s ('88 to be exact) and never saw one. The only SR-71 I've ever seen was/is Duxford's example.

My recollection of this was that these were normally morning departures. To keep the other side guessing there was no "usual time". I've seen mission departures at various times from before dawn right up to late am so it was unpredictable. Just found a couple of examples:
Thurs 28.3.'85 17962 dep approx 0917
Mon 7.4.'86 17980 dep1113
Graham

[headset 57]

Before the flight a man with a briefcase ( cuffed and locked to his wrist ) goes off to Neatishead with the flight plan.
Aircraft used a discrete tower freq at MHL 290.95 and Neat on 267.3 backup 260.15 for departures and arrivals.


A good read:
http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/oldstuff/2 ... 1/sr71.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6svm ... &q&f=false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[manorbleak]

Thanks for the link, good reading. I met Mr Archer once I think.

[spiritwalker]

Back in the day' in 1985 (I was 15 yrs young)...I went to King Edward School in Bury St Edmunds, me and two other aviation enthusiasts were selected to spend two weeks at the Hall as 'Work Experience'. Two of us spent some time with the 'Maint' department and the other lad spent most of his two weeks up in the old tower, we just wanted to get close to the aircraft etc!....we were given a very rare opportunity to have a look around the SR71's hangar it was then we learned that there were actually two Blackbirds stationed at the Hall!...anyway, the tour was fantastic & we were able to get close enough to touch them both and really get a tangible feel for what they were all about!.....the guy that took us around informed us that the time for the launch was always random, whether it be morning, noon or night in order to maintain it's covert reputation etc. I witnessed several launches and the most memorable was when I was in the Biology class at School some 10 miles away!.....I remember hearing a distant thundering roar, I knew exactly what it was so I turned around and searched for any sign I could in the clear blue sky. After a few seconds I could see a vapor trail starting to appear and as it did so, I could just make out the Blackbird at the front of the trail....it started to make a huge spiral shape in the sky as it ascended, it disappeared after a few turns, but what a show. It was obviously on an operational mission as it climbed so high in a short space of time.

We unfortunately missed out on a refueling mission in a KC135 & subsequent RV with the SR71 due to some 'insurance risk' .....but that's another story!

Anyway, I thought I'd share that with you....hope you don't mind!

P.S. Very nice nostalgic images 'manorbleak'....they stirred up those memories!

[Ghastly Whisper]

Stupid question time

Is that really 17980? i heard that the wabbit 17955? used the serial 17980 when it came over here for a few weeks, aparently to disguise the test bird from spotters....

[manorbleak]

According to Bob Archer you are probably right

[graham luxton]

Stupid question time

Is that really 17980? i heard that the wabbit 17955? used the serial 17980 when it came over here for a few weeks, aparently to disguise the test bird from spotters....

Its not a stupid question "grave digger" but one that got me thinking I'd seen 17955! Unfortunately that was not the case because 17955 became 17962 for that short deployment.
We have to thank the respected SR-71 author Paul F Crickmore for this revelation because it was his research which uncovered this devious plan which had us all fooled!
Graham.

[graham luxton]

wow great shots, the do bring back good memories of SR71 coming over the school and house.

Anyone now of good book of the SR71 missions and deployment at Mildenhall?????

Lockheed SR-71 The Secret Missions Exposed by Paul F Crickmore, published by Osprey Aerospace.
ISBN 1-85532-313-3
Graham