Customer Reviews

Lockheed SR-71: The Secret Missions Exposed

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Rarely an aircraft career has been analyzed so completely. This volume is a gripping account of missions flown by Lockheed SR 71 during its operational life, a tribute to a fantastic aircraft and its technological legacy.

The book narrates the story of plane birth as replacement to the famous spyplane U2. The operational requirements leading to U2 first, than to SR71, shaped these two futuristic reconnaissance platforms; but for the SR71, the author provides full coverage of its development as a aircraft family (interceptor and bomber versions). After introducing the CIA operations and the past highly classified programs, progenitors of Blackbird, a detailed description of aircraft design characteristics is presented, finally a vivid picture of most secret engineering data concerning the equipments and aircraft systems. This is a fascinating reading itself, especially after being entertained by "Skunk Works", the autobiography of Ben Rich, former director of the Advanced Development Projects branch of Lockheed and longtime friend of Kelly Johnson , Blackbird's chief designer. The legacy left by these outstanding scientists is simply gigantic and the technical description of one of their creature is well worth the price. Infact a precious facet of the volume is the cockpits instruments panels, the cutaway view with general internal layout and the inlet (or intake, as Britons prefer) airflow diagram, the first time that such a complicated duct system is described and printed. Also revealed for the first time are the missions operated by Air Force to monitor the Soviet nuclear submarines pens in the Artic during the peak of cold war.

After many years of silent and classified operations, the most impressive airplane ever built is discovered in this engrossing publication. The author delivers outstandingly the technological marvel and the faithful "day by day" care required by the personnel in maintaining the recce plarform a viable military program, a lasting portrait of men who flew and overhauled the almighty Blackbird before its untimely retirement.

Yesss! Engrossing is the only way to describe this book. The Lockheed SR-71, publically known as 'Blackbird' or 'Habu' to US Air Force personnel is one of aviation's most exciting legends. And so it should be: 3,000 mph, and a 97,000 feet operating altitude. Eventually the victim of political cost-cutting, the SR-71 was an astonishing and highly secret achievement when it first flew in 1962. Paul Crickmore goes into great detail about the many covert operations the Blackbird took part in and reveals how it was almost completely invulnerable to fighter interception and SAM attacks. Many Vietnam-era missions are described as are the aeroplane's frequent accidents and incidents. The SR-71, in company with a huge fleet of KC-135 tankers, flew across the world to obtain classified and valuable intelligence for the CIA and armed forces.

Mr. Crickmore does a fabulous job in describing operations with the worlds fastest jet aircraft. For airplane buffs amd military historians it is a must read. This book begs the question, "Does this aircraft have any use in a post-cold war world?" You betcha. Somebody should shove this book under the noses of President Clinton, every member of the House and Senate, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Crickmore's describes in plain English why the SR-71 should be kept operational. Simply put, it can't be touched. Saddam Hussein's recent actions prove even more eliquently as to why the SR-71 should be brought back. He stopped U-2 flights (with shoot down threats) over Iraq in November of 1997. This action emboldened Hussein to other actions. Mainly attempting to get UN sactions lifted. Stopping the U-2 is easy enough to do - 9 are known to have been shot down. The SR-71 has been shot at many times but never hit. There's a world of differeence between a 450 mhp airplane and a 2250 mph airplane. Though expensive, the SR-71 is surviveable. The expense is certainly worth while. How much is peace worth to the average American? Certainly worth the cost of an SR-71 fleet. The current mess with Iraq can be traced in part to the premature (again) retirement of the SR-71. President Clinton line item vetoed the SR-71 in October of 1997 - Hussein threatened to shoot down U-2's in November of 1997. The proper response should have been to deploy the SR-71. Read Mr. Crickmore's book - see if I'm wrong. Overall, I'd say the book is well researched and well written.

Very detailed book on the complete history of the A-12/SR-71. Tells you everything that you've wanted to know about the plane and the missions it flew. A fascinating book! Highly recommended.

As a young kid I heard only heard stories of a jet that is able to fly at mach 3 and above 80,000ft. Years later I was able to finally get this book on the jet and was amazed to read on the planes history and it impact on war torn countries. This plane is the only thing that was able to stop a war in the middle east not politicans. We need this plane to be upgraded and deployed again. This book overall shows the worth of the money that goes into this plane's mission to keep peace for America and other countries.

If you want to know more about the SR-71 Blackbird, this is the book for you. Excellent blow by blow account of this magnificent aircraft's service. There is also a lot of good information about its development and teething problems.

Really good back about oxcart, the development of the SR-71. I enjoyed reading. Recommended to any aviation enthusiast, and anyone the is interested in the fastest stealth aircraft ever made or declassified.