Sr-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales, and Legends

By Rich Graham

Book Overview

Meet the brave and determined people who gave their hearts, minds, and, in some cases, their lives to put Lockheed's incredibly fast SR-71 Blackbird in the sky.

In SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales, and Legends, former SR-71 pilot, instructor, and wing commander Colonel Richard Graham presents the most intriguing SR-71 stories ever told. This once highly classified program is fully revealed through the words of pilots, commanders, mechanics, and instructors involved in the Blackbird's creation and flight testing. From grueling reconnaissance missions to the Persian Gulf conflict, this insightful book is brimming with stories of courage and perseverance.

Including detailed commentary by Colonel Graham, drawn from 15 years of assignments within the SR-71 community, and with a foreword by the late deputy director of the National Air and Space Museum Don Lopez, this fascinating book answers all the questions you might have about this legendary airplane.

Running chronologically, from the first A-12 flights to the record-breaking transcontinental delivery flight of the SR-71 now in the National Air and Space Museum collection, each chapter begins with a brief biographical sketch of the featured Blackbird program participant, followed by their firsthand accounts. Explore:

Personal stories, legends, traditions, and behind-the-scenes activities of the Blackbird programSidebars amplifying and expanding on aspects of the storiesThe meanings of Blackbird-related terms such as Habu, unstart, Bat Caver, and hookBlack-and-white photos of the participants at work and playSR-71 key events timeline
Feel the Mach 3 power of this awesome aircraft and gain an appreciation of just how unique the Blackbird program really was.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760311420
• ISBN13: 9780760311424
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Zenith Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

He has done it again!

Rich Graham has followed the winning formula he used in SR-71 Revealed: The Inside Story with this book. Who knows as much about something, as those that operate it, and Rich and a select group of aviators flew the amazing Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. In SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales and Legends Rich has written about squadron life and what it was like to fly and operate this amazing aircraft over some of the most politically hot spots around the world. There is a great mix of historical information, aircraft facts, and funny stories to keep everyone's attention. There is more in-depth stories about the program, and what it was like to fly the fastest aircraft in the world. Rich also invited fellow 'Habus' to relive moments from the operational life of the program. These ARE the people that walked the walk, and you get to sit in the ejection seat on exciting missions, and know what it was like to fly the Blackbird.

Astonishing Blackbird

For aircraft enthusiasts at a non professional level this is a well written book with a wealth of information about this amazing plane. It truly gives a feeling for the heroic men who first flew this aircraft , the first of its kind for power and speed. In an easy to understand way it imparts the difficulties and struggles of developing this plane. True pioneers and men with vision put the Blackbird in the air. Pity we only get to see them on the ground now.

5 STARS IS TOO LITTLE!!!!

For those who are already familiar with the bird (and for those who aren't as well!!), this is one of the most entertaining books out there. Col. Graham managed to put together several stories told by several different people involved with the program, and each story makes you feel like reading all the book in one single shot! I can't wait for Volume II!

Blackbird Memories

Colonel Graham has put together unique memories of 19 former pilots and RSOs for the 3 Blackbirds, (A-12, YF-12 & SR-71) in cronological order from the first A-12 ejection through the retirement of the SR-71, (both times). Most of the chapters deal with the SR-71 at it's two deployment detachments, Det 1 at Kadena AB, Okinawa and Det 4 at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. These are fabulously interesting insights into the lives and times of the best men in the US Air Force who were chosen to fly the best plane in the US Air Force, the titanium wonder-bird, SR-71. It doesn't provide much in the way of facts, figures, drawings and detailed photographs, but that was not the intent of this book. It is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. All profits from the book go the J.T. Vida memorial fund to help maintain SR-71 # 17972 at the Smithsonian Musuem at the Dulles Air Port west of Washington, DC. Lt Col Vida spent 16 years as an RSO and amassed nearly 1400 hours in the SR-71, the most of any crew member. He was the RSO for 972 on it's record breaking flight from LA to DC in March of 1990.