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Flying three times faster than the speed of sound and higher than 85,000 feet, the SR-71 is the

most technologically significant aircraft built since WW II. They flew thousands of hazardous

reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam, North Korea, the Middle East and many other hot

spots throughout the world. 29 A Models, two B Models (two-seat pilot trainers), one C Model

(two-seat trainer built from two different airframes) were produced in the 1960's. Out of the total

of 32 SR-71's built, 21 are still in existence and our on exhibit in museums. Of the 12 SR-71s

lost, no USAF pilots or RSOs lost their lives nor were any shot down by hostile fire.

Virginia Aviation Museum's aircraft, USAF tail number 61-7968, set the endurance record on

April 26, 1971. Majors Thomas B. Estes and Dewain C. Vick, flew 61-7968 over 15,000 miles in

10 hrs. 30 min. non-stop (Time includes aerial refueling at subsonic speeds). Awards for this

flight include the 1971 Mackay Trophy for the "most meritorious flight of the year" and the 1972

Harmon Trophy for the "most outstanding international achievement in the art/science of

aeronautics".

4 VIRGINIA AVIATION MUSEUM

The legendary SR-71 "Blackbird’s" performance has never been superseded by any

known manned aircraft. None was ever lost to enemy action and the intelligence gathered

gave the United States the raw data needed to effectively counter real and potential

threats. The aircraft is particularly significant as an example of American dominance in

applied science.

The aircraft is on loan from the United States Air Force Museum. (Serial #61-7968)