Habu, A Damn Fast Aircraft

A few years ago, well 15 actually, I read this great book called Skunk Works by Ben R. Rich. For those not into the whole history of aircraft thing like me, the Skunk Works is Lockheed's secret development plant in Burbank. It is responsible for developing some of the most infamous aircraft in history, including the U2 spy plane, the F-117 stealth attack aircraft (you know the one that looks like a diamond and shouldn't fly), the F-22 Raptor and probably the most famous of them all and photographed above, the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. This aircraft was designed to fly higher and faster than any other air breathing manned aircraft and in fact still holds that record. It flew at a top speed of Mach 3.2+ (or over 2200mph) and a height of 80,000ft. This height and speed was it's defense measure when flying over enemy countries taking reconnaissance photographs, as missiles and enemy aircraft could not catch it. It was manned by a crew of two, which had to wear what was in effect a space suit to survive. Some of these aircraft were based on a USAF base close to where I live in England. One of the most interesting facts was that the crew could take off after breakfast in England and arrive in the USA in time for breakfast again the same day. I would imagine that if ever there was a time machine to go back in time this aircraft was it. 

I took this photograph at the March Field Air Museum here in Riverside, less than 10 minutes from my door and yet I never went there until last Sunday. The one thing that struck me about this aircraft when I walked up to it was it's tiny size. I always imagined it to be much bigger, but I stood taller than it's nose. 

Comments

[Eduardo]

This aircraft was originally designed to be a figther jet, its first denomination was the YF-71, it is a Kelly Johnson design, when they tested it, they realized that it could fly higher and faster than any sam missile. What a great picture of this fantastic aircraft!!!!
Eduardo