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SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales, and Legends
Feel the Mach 3 power generated by Lockheed's incredibly fast SR-71 Blackbird! Former SR-71 pilot, instructor and wing commander, 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 tells stories of bravery and daring determination.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 20, 2020
If you are going to read one book on the SR71, this is the one that is pretty easy to read. It's spotted with technical detail, which the author often explains. That can be difficult for some readers. Most of the book is about the flyers and their anecdotes; not about the specific reconnaissance objectives. That's pretty exciting stuff. Although, I was surprised that the author often talked about specific operational areas. The declassification must have been quite a bureaucratic tangle. The demise of the program was overseen by two of the fighter mafia, including "Misty" and "Skeletor."...the SR-71 was a bill payer for other systems and the staff fell in line...a painful thing for the SR-71 "program." Nice book Rich.
September 20, 2019
If you are going to read one book on the SR71, this is not the book. If you want to soak up every detail, sure, read it.
Each chapter is by a different pilot/RSO/member of the program, so it’s kind of a choppy read with some repetition. A good view of life on base and the experience of being part of the program, and many interesting anecdotes. If you are going to read EVERYTHING about the blackbird, then go for it, you won’t be disappointed.
Each chapter is by a different pilot/RSO/member of the program, so it’s kind of a choppy read with some repetition. A good view of life on base and the experience of being part of the program, and many interesting anecdotes. If you are going to read EVERYTHING about the blackbird, then go for it, you won’t be disappointed.
January 14, 2018
I liked it, but it left me wanting for more flying stories. It provided a good account of the program from men who were there. Especially informative was the story of the poor, political ending to an important national security asset.
February 28, 2013
I've read a few books on the amazing SR-71 Blackbird, but this one was unique in that it primarily concentrated on anecdotes and experiences of the crews. Each chapter consisted of an introduction to a particular Habu (SR-71 crewman), detailing their aviation history, what they did both before and after serving with the SR-71, and any special awards or things about them. The remainder of the chapter was stories as told by that pilot, RSO, or in one case crew chief.
Reading these stories helped me to imagine what it must have been like to have been involved in "the Program" as it was called. It must have been simply amazing. It's a tribute to the design of this airplane and the crews that flew it and maintained it. A very interesting read.
Reading these stories helped me to imagine what it must have been like to have been involved in "the Program" as it was called. It must have been simply amazing. It's a tribute to the design of this airplane and the crews that flew it and maintained it. A very interesting read.
November 26, 2008
Rich Graham is a friend of mine so I had the good fortune to read an autogrpahed copy. If you're a pilot or if you are familiar with aircraft and the flight environment you will break out into a sweat when you read some of the stories in here. This book will make you want to thank a veteran for keeping America and the western world free during the cold war.
November 22, 2012
A very informative look into the Habu, from a wide selection of men who flew it. Each chapter is introduced by Rich Graham, before entering into the account of a crewmember from the SR-71 fleet, covering all aspects of the operation of this incredible machine.
Well worth reading, a must for the shelf of anyone with an interest in aviation on the edge of performance.
Well worth reading, a must for the shelf of anyone with an interest in aviation on the edge of performance.
November 10, 2016
Antoher must for Blackbird fans. Truly enjoyable and very very good. I love the works of colonel Graham about the Blackbird. From those books transpires that he really had the time of his life flying the SR 71. Highly recommended
April 17, 2009
Great stories from great men!!! Settles (or does it?) some of the myths about this mysterious plane.
June 15, 2008
History on the worlds most amazing aircraft
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews