One aircraft stood out above all at the 1985 International Air Tattoo, 61-17979, the excellent Black SR-71A from the 9th S.R.W. United States Air Force that arrived from Beale Air Force base in the U.S.A. After spending the weekend of the public airshow sitting proudly in the static park, Monday would see its pilot put it through probably the best-ever-seen U.K. demonstration of the type.
The central theme of the 1985 International Air Tattoo was the 'Sky Tanker', but for many, the memory will be Monday's departure of the Blackbird quite literally singing.
It was designed by Kelly Johnson and built at Lockheed's Skunkworks; it could reach Mach 3 heights of over 80,000 feet; it was commissioned by the C.I.A. as a spy plane to upgrade from the U-2 (black) spy plane that had become attackable by Soviet missiles.
Although it had come under hostile fire on numerous occasions, not one SR-71A was lost to enemy fire, the concept being that by the time the aircraft was seen and a missile launched, it would be too far away to be tracked and hit.
A genuine legend of the skies.
Although it had come under hostile fire on numerous occasions, not one SR-71A was lost to enemy fire, the concept being that by the time the aircraft was seen and a missile launched, it would be too far away to be tracked and hit.
A genuine legend of the skies.
Following the weekend's airshow, Monday witnessed the departure of the participating aircraft. We saw the best SR-71A demonstration in the U.K. during their departure flight from R.A.F. Fairford.
61-17979 SR-71A 9th SRW USAF, getting airborne.
Sitting in the Friends of International Air Tattoo grandstand, one had to use a wide-angle lens to capture the entire frame of that massive beast.
Flaming into the grey, overcast Gloucestershire sky.
Still re-heating while preparing for a low approach at Fairford from left to right.
We were treated to a show of raw power in typical British weather.
Fast and low!
A left-wing down was followed by the right and a thank you from the SR-71A crew to the International Air Tattoo.
My grandstand seat vibrates with the "Blackbirds" extraordinary power this time.
The crew retracted the landing gear before returning for a fast pass.
Pouring on the power was a magical moment for lots of us diehards.
The next stop was home.
Can anybody remember the SR-71A that visited the Farnborough Airshow? Having crossed New York only one and a half hours later, it passed over R.A.E. Farnborough. While turning on finals to land at Farnborough, it flew out over the Netherlands due to its incredible speed.
We will have to wait a long time to see this near extravagance of power again.
Sadly, 61-17979 SR-71A 9th SRW USAF is preserved at Lackland A.F.B today.
Happy days!
Sadly, 61-17979 SR-71A 9th SRW USAF is preserved at Lackland A.F.B today.
Happy days!
