Description
Book SynopsisThe SR-71 Blackbird is an iconic aircraft that has come to symbolize America''s technological superiority during the Cold War. Using recently declassified information, globally renowned expert Paul Crickmore updates his definitive account of the aircraft.
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird ranks as one of the most elegant, sleek and powerful aeroplanes ever designed. But it was not built to be admired it was built not to be seen at all. The high-altitude aerial reconnaissance sorties it was to perform were top secret and carefully concealed from public knowledge. However, as the aircraft have become museum pieces and details of their work declassified, the whole story of their design and operation can finally be told.
This updated edition of Paul Crickmore''s classic Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions is based on 850 pages of documentation and images declassified by the CIA covering the A-12 Oxcart programme. These highly significant documents rang
Trade Review
Outstanding work. * Aeroplane *
Powerful! Informative! Rich in technical detail and illustrations! Crickmore’s latest book is perhaps the finest and most comprehensive book on the Blackbird ever written. * Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation *
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Requirement Chapter 2 Rainbow and Gusto Chapter 3 Oxcart Chapter 4 Area 51 Chapter 5 Progress and Politics Chapter 6 Black Shield Chapter 7 Tagboard and Senior Bowl Chapter 8 Kedlock Chapter 9 Technical Chapter 10 From RS to SR and Beyond Chapter 11 AFLC, Maintenance, Mishaps and Recoveries Chapter 12 Beale Operations Chapter 13 OL-8 Operations During the Vietnam War Chapter 14 Det 1 Operations Post the Vietnam War Chapter 15 Det 4 The Early Years Chapter 16 Det 4 at Pace Chapter 17 The Barents Chapter 18 NASA Chapter 19 Shutdown Chapter 20 Legacy Appendix 1 Black Shield Missions Appendix 2 Black Shield Elint Log Appendix 3 Def Locations Appendix 4 Det 1 Deployments Appendix 5 Det 4 Deployments Appendix 6 Blackbird Disposition Appendix 7 SR-71 Commanders and Awards Appendix 8 Air Force Logistics Command SR-71 Flight Crew History Appendix 9 Chronology Appendix 10 Losses Appendix 11 Records Acronyms and Abbreviations Bibliography Index
