SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird, The World's Highest, Fastest Plane

by Richard H. Graham

SR-71 covers every aspect of the spyplane’s development, manufacture, and active service, all from the insider’s perspective of one its pilots. Features over 200 incredible photos.

Flying to a coffee table near you comes the new paperback edition of this authoritative and illustrated history of the most mind-bending military aircraft ever flown! Developed by the renowned Lockheed Skunk Works, the SR-71 was an awesome aircraft in every respect, setting world records for altitude and speed: an absolute altitude record of 85,069 feet on July 28, 1974, and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour on the same day.

Written by a former Blackbird pilot, SR-71 covers every aspect of the aircraft's development, manufacture, and active service, all lavishly illustrated with more than 200 photos. The SR-71 remained in service with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998, when it was withdrawn from use, superseded by satellite technology. This authoritative history covers the spylane's entire phenomenal service.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military Fiction, Aviation, Science

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Colonel (ret) Richard Graham is the author of three books on the SR-71 Blackbird. He flew this aircraft for seven years and ended up with 756 hours in its cockpit, which makes him the perfect author to write about this Mach 3+ jet. Below is his biography.

Col. Richard Graham graduated from the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio in 1964. He received a master's degree in Sociology in 1977 and in Public Administration in 1979 from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, California.

Col. Graham entered Air Force pilot training, receiving his wings in 1965 at Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Alabama. From 1971-1973 he flew 210 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos in the F-4 Phantom.

He was selected to enter the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance program in 1974 at Beale Air Force Base, California. He flew the SR-71 for the next seven years, amassing 756 hours in the worlds fastest and highest flying aircraft. Col. Graham also flew the SR-71 as an Instructor Pilot and Stan/Eval Pilot. In 1980, he was selected to be the squadron commander of the SR-71 unit at Beale.

After serving four years in the Pentagon, Col. Graham was selected to be the 9th Wing Commander at Beale in 1987. During his 25 years of service, he amassed 4,600 hours, retiring from the Air Force in 1989. His military decorations include three Legion of Merit awards, four Distinguished Flying Cross medals and 19 Air Medals.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, he joined American Airlines in Dallas, Texas. After flying 13 years at American, he retired in August 2002 as a Captain on the MD-80 aircraft, with over 7,500 hours. He now spends his time as an author, speaker, aviation consultant, and flight instructor. Col. Graham is a pilot with the Frisco Civil Air Patrol Squadron and volunteers as a FAA representative (FAAST) on their safety team in Dallas. He and his wife Pat live in Plano.

He has written three books, "SR-71 Revealed," "SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales, and Legends," and "Flying the SR-71 Blackbird." A veteran of 15 years of assignments within the SR-71 community, he is uniquely qualified to tell the SR-71 story. Colonel Graham was the 1999 recipient of the University of Nebraska's William F. Shea Award for his distinguished contribution to aviation. He is currently a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). In 2005, the Blackbird Association awarded him the Kelly Johnson trophy, a lifetime achievement award for his work to perpetuate, foster and improve the SR-71.

Reviews

[Igor Ljubuncic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. I relished reading it, and I'm sad it's over, as sad as I am that SR-71 is no longer flying.

Say what you will, but SR-71 is one of the most magnificent pieces of technologies in the world. Created in the late 50s, in the heydey of Cold War and the Moon race, this plane was the sum of all military extravaganza, human ingenuity and sheer technological creativity. The end result was a stealth reconnaissance machine made from Titanium that flew at Mach 3 and 85,000 ft.

The book tells the story through the eyes of a pilot, from early days of the SR-71 program, the selection, the training, the simulator, and then goes step by step through a typical mission. Everything is laid out in clear detail, including some really fascinating bits and pieces.

Like the fuel leak myth. It didn't leak fuel so massively that it needed immediate air refueling. The reason why SR-71's hooked up with a tanker right after takeoff was to expel any highly explosive JP8 air-fuel vapor from the fuel tanks, which would heat up to about 200 degrees C during the flight - and only special Nitrogen pumped in instead.

Then we have Mach 3 ejections - with pilots surviving thanks to their 7-layer space suits. The art of flying this machine, a demanding task with constant workload for the two crew. The fact 80% of thrust came from the ramjet effect of its magnificent engines, and it was only the heating of the engine turbines that prevented SR-71 from flying easily faster - and it sometimes did, on its own, when the air was cooler.

Everything was analog, and yet remarkably accurate and reliable. The stellar navigation system was precise to about 100 meters. The cameras could capture 10-cm objects up to 50 km away from the typical flight altitude of about 25km+. Missions were radio silent, including tanker hookups, day or night.

And no SR-71 was ever lost in combat.



The book is full of beautiful photos, stories, partial mission debriefs (the unclassified ones), and it also tells a cautionary story of politics, where the Blackbird became victim to bureaucracy and budget games that have nothing to do with technology.

If you're a fan of turbofan (and turbojet, of course, of course), this is a delightful item to own and read.

Igor

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

vroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom

One of the few machines I love (despite always going on about how machines are as distinctively human and at least as expressive of deep values as paintings or concertos).

They built 32 of them; 12 of them crashed. That looks absurdly poor, but it represents 11 thousand hours flying at Mach 3, over thirty years service. And only one death somehow.

This book is dry and rote, the prose of a man who has written sixty years of memos and nothing else. Worth it for the hilarious, terrifying deadpan of some of the pilots. Bill Weaver:

Without proper scheduling, disturbances inside the inlet could result in the shock wave being expelled forward—a phenomenon known as an “inlet unstart”... An immediate unstart occurred on the right engine, forcing the aircraft to roll further right and start to pitch up. I jammed the control stick as far left and forward as it would go.
No response. I instantly knew we were in for a wild ride.
I attempted to tell Jim what was happening and to stay with the airplane until we reached a lower speed and altitude. I don’t think the chances of surviving an ejection at Mach 3.18 and 78,800 ft. were very good. However, g-forces built up so rapidly that my words came out garbled and unintelligible, as confirmed later by the cockpit voice recorder... Everything seemed to unfold in slow motion. I learned later the time from event onset to catastrophic departure from controlled flight was only two to three seconds. Still trying to communicate with Jim, I blacked out, succumbing to extremely high g-forces.
Then the SR-71... literally disintegrated around us...
Before the breakup, we’d started a turn in the New Mexico-Colorado-Oklahoma-Texas border region. The SR-71 had a turning radius of about a hundred miles at that speed and altitude, so I wasn’t even sure what state we were going to land in...
Extracting myself from the parachute harness, I discovered the source of those flapping-strap noises heard on the way down. My seat belt and shoulder harness were still draped around me, attached and latched. The lap belt had been shredded on each side of my hips, where the straps had fed through knurled adjustment rollers. The shoulder harness had shredded in a similar manner across my back. The ejection seat had never left the airplane; I had been ripped out of it by the extreme forces, seat belt and shoulder harness still fastened. I also noted that one of the two lines that supplied oxygen to my pressure suit had come loose, and the other was barely hanging on...
Parts were scattered over an area approximately fifteen miles long and ten miles wide. Extremely high air loads and g-forces, both positive and negative, had literally ripped Jim and me from the airplane. Unbelievably good luck is the only explanation for my escaping relatively unscathed from that disintegrating aircraft.

Two weeks after the accident, I was back in an SR-71, flying the first sortie on a brand-new bird...

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: Adobe protected PDF
Tissue warning: none
HEA: N/A
Triggers: N/A
Narrative: Non-fiction
My reviewer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Recommend read: Yes
Published: November 1, 2017

I am a huge fan of all things aerospace. I even just ordered my 7 year old a subscription to Air & Space Magazine. For me, mostly more than him.

Nothing against the book itself, because it's extremely informative and chock full of pictures, but it's terribly difficult to enjoy due to the type of e-copy I received. Adobe protected PDFs are not easy to peruse, especially with landscape oriented pages with lots of photos. So, that being said, I would LOVE to have this book in the real form on my bookshelf. Some books just don't work as digital editions, and for me, this is one of them.

If you're a fan like me of the Blackbird and its history, get your hands on a copy of this book.
I did find out that this has been out since 2013 and this is a revision, re-release. No matter, it's still totally worth having, and now I'm interested in the author's other Blackbird themed books!

[Shivam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read was SR-71 by Richard H. Graham. The book was about the journey and insight behind the creation of the Lockheed Martin SR-71. The SR-71 was created after the spy plane made in the Groom Lake base( Area 51) U2 during the Cold War between Russia and the United States. The United States needed a stealthy plane that can travel at beyond Mach 3 speeds in case of a real war with Russia and so the Central Intelligence Agency started the creation of the SR-71. The SR-71 is the fastest plane in the world since its creation back in the 1960’s and it has the ability to travel at a continuous speed of 2,200 mph with its dual Pratt and Whitney jet engine. As the Cold War ended the SR-71 was left useless and the Air Force officially retired it in the 1990’s because of the high fuel prices for the jet. Although it is retired now the SR-71 will forever be remembered as the fastest jet in the world made by the United States. I very much like the book because of the history along with the airplane and its association with the Cold War.

Because the SR-71 Blackbird and its history is so well documented and hooks on your attention it makes it one great story. The fact that Russia and the United States were so intimidated by each other and it caused the United States to make the fastest jet ever made years before the were planning on making it shows that everything is possible and that's another reason why I like this book. “One question that comes up routinely when talking about the SR-71 is “What's it like to spy on another country from the SR-71?” (80). I like this quote because it asks the straight up question that everyone is wondering while reading the entire book and it is a great hook. A aerospace engineer or plane enthusiast would very much favor this book because it associates world history with the topic of aircrafts. I would rate this book 5/5 stars on Goodreads because this is so far the best aviation related book I have read yet.

[george burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super Plane

The SR-71 was one of the most remarkable planes ever built. Able to fly above 85,000 feet at speeds exceeding Mach-3, it was a peerless reconnaissance plane. Not one was ever lost to hostile action and although, according to the author, they never overflew Russia or China, they flew near enough to gather intelligence and provoke enemy action. There is an interesting piece where a Russian Mig-25 pilot who defected explains the near impossibility of bringing down a SR-71. Of course, the plane's performance meant the air crew was operating in extreme conditions with the ever present possibility of catastrophe. The stunning photographs are a bonus. Most readers will find the welter of technical information slow going. The last part of the book is a disappointing account of the fight to prevent the shut down of the program. It is easy to understand how the participants were invested in the SR-71, but to the neutral reader it is an example of why the defense budget is so difficult to control: every program has its advocates.

[Mike Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great history of an amazing plane. The book covers the design and development of the SR-71 and its predecessors and gives plenty of details on flight operations. The first few chapters give a detailed history of the Oxcart program and the eventual development of the Blackbird. Also included are a couple of chapters on crew selection and training. The meat of the book is several chapters walking through an example mission, from planning and pre-flight operations to fueling, takeoff, refueling, executing the mission, return and post-flight. Much detail is given including real life stores and anecdotes that give the reader insight into operating this plane. The final couple of chapters discuss the politics and issues surrounding the eventual retirement of the program. The book itself is well written, engages the reader throughout, and has many great photographs as well. Recommended for fans of the SR-71, unique aircraft, or aviation history in general.

[SkipO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this from the Good Reads Giveaway program.
This is a very readable, fascinating book.
It covers everything of the A-10/SR-71 from inception to retirement.
One thing that makes it very good, is that its written by a former pilot.
I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this subject!
Thanks Good Reads (and the publisher)!!

[Joel Shappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone that is interested in Military History, especially cold war era, this is a must read. Tons of detailed information and personal photos from an author that actually flew these birds. Amazing technology made these planes possible and continue in aviation today.

[Mariano Salcedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

Excellent! A perfect mix of technical description of every system of this magnific airplane, and detailed stories about SR-71 real missions

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird, The World's Highest, Fastest Plane by Richard H. Graham is the history of America's most mysterious aircraft. Colonel (ret) Richard Graham is the author of three books on the SR-71 Blackbird. He flew this aircraft for seven years and ended up with 756 hours in its cockpit.

When I was a kid the SR-71 had been flying for a few years. It was the model kit every kid wanted. It was the fastest and highest flying plane ever built. Its specs remained classified. There, however, was little doubt how fast it was; in 1981 it outran a North Korean ground to air missile. By that time my childhood illusions of the SR-71s maneuverability had long since been substituted for the practical. Still, it remained one of the coolest planes to ever fly.

Graham takes the reader on a heavily illustrated history of the remarkable aircraft. From its beginnings in Burbank and its stealthy road trip to Groom Lake for testing. There is something for everyone to learn including the SR-71's piggyback drone and its initial role as an air-to-air missile carrying interceptor. Graham's book is filled with first-person experiences from training through flight operations. Support necessities to overcome the hostile atmosphere where the SR-71 operated are included. The human body can't breathe at the altitude where the plane performed its mission. The air is thin and very cold and yet the plane's skin temperature was very hot. Reading through this book one sees how planning, preparation, and execution rivaled the manned space program. SR-71 pilots and astronauts had much in common with SR-71 pilots having the additional problem of mid-air refueling.

SR-71 is a richly illustrated history of the plane, the pilots, and all the supporting staff much of it told by those who worked the missions.  Official documents are also used in photos and diagrams.  This was an age of espionage where people put their lives on the line for information.  Although intelligence today may be better and safer with the use of satellites and drones it does lose that mystique.  During the Cold War years, we kids, talked about the SR-71 and to some extent the U2.  I doubt today that kids sit around and talk specs on reconnaissance satellites or imagine what its like to operate one.  This is a book of days gone by and is a tribute to the plane and people who risked it all for their country.  A timely read for this Veteran's Day.

[R.J. Southworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really informative book, written with clear passion behind it, that goes into a lot of detail about the SR-71 program and what would typically happen on an operational flight - so much preparation, manpower and precise piloting was necessary that these flights almost sound like space missions! It’s fairly accessible for non-engineers, coming with a helpful glossary of abbreviations. There do appear to be gaps here and there, like references to things in the picture captions which aren’t elaborated on in the text; but overall, if you like aircraft in general and the SR-71 in particular, this book will make you even more impressed with it.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting plane! Faster and higher than any other. This work is exactly what its title bills it to be, a complete illustrated history of the SR-71. Each chapter is short, about 10 pages or less, but they follow either specific parts of the history or of its operation. Every chapter includes many diagrams (often declassified), or interesting photos. The writing is good, although there are a couple of typos. I highly recommend this work to anyone interested in aircraft.

[Poomrat Boonyawong · Rating 4 out of 5]

First-hand knowledge from a real SR-71 pilot. I enjoy reading the first half a lot but the second half kind of not so interesting as it dives very deep into the operation process of each flight step.
Could be interesting for aspiring aircraft pilot.
Still, quite a good read albeit somewhat short for the price.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights of the legendary SR71 blackbird. Conceptualised in the early 1960s due to the shooting down of U2, the book brings us through the story from design to fruition. A complete book with technical engineering considerations as well as true recounts by ex pilots. Truly a good read on this engineering marvel.

[Federico Lucifredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding review of the plane's operational life, end to end. It goes into the details of how the plane was operated and missions flown in unprecedented detail, with an amazing number of illustrations. A really entertaining read for Skunk Works buffs.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photography is nowhere near Brian Shul's in Sled Driver or The Untouchables. Good writing.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the 2 best books on the SR-71

One of the 2 best books on the SR-71. I believe the other is written by the same author, but is a bit more technical in nature than this one.

[Lochie Ferrier]

Great book about a legendary plane. The book does get a bit down in the details sometimes though, nobody really cares about the exact altitudes and speeds for every little part of a flight.

[Ben Vogel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too esoteric in places, an excellent review of the program nevertheless.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author manages to make the story of the coolest plane ever sort of boring. Too bad because it should have been a really good story.

[MBybee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book on the SR-71 for anyone who is a fan of aviation especially.

[Craig Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This coffee table book is filled with gorgeous photos of the SR-71 and its predecessors. This futuristic aircraft flew years before any other country had a comparable machine. The accompanying narrative was dry and filled with anecdotes from the builders and flyers.