SR-71 Revealed: The Inside Story (Paperback)

~ Col. Richard H. Graham (Author) "My fascination with the SR-71 first began when President Johnson announced the presence of Lockheed's YF-12 on 29 February 1964..." (more)
Key Phrases: aft bypass doors, forward bypass doors, pitch steering bar, Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel, The Untold Story (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Put your pressure suit on and strap yourself in for a Mach 3 ride! Former SR-71 Wing Commander Rich Graham tells the amazing inside story of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Graham provides a detailed look at the entire SR-71 story beginning with his application to be an SR pilot through commanding an entire wing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press (July 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760301220
• ISBN-13: 978-0760301227
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,167 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As much of the amazing story as we will probably ever know, November 17, 2001

By	David Traill (Stuart, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For those who have never heard of the plane, this book would be merely interesting. To those with a healthy respect of the plane, its crews, and its mission, Col. Graham has written the book that beats all. This effort clearly covers the devlopment of the plane and its daily operations, all of which were cloaked in the highest secrecy of the Cold War. Graham, involved with the plane for most of his career, has a unique persepctive, and takes his reader through "the way it was."
I really loved this book and the stories involved. Thanks to the types of missions flown, it will be years before the full story come sout, but until then, read this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Information regarding the SR-71 program, September 17, 2000

By	"rhcentcom" (Dawson Creek) - See all my reviews

Col Graham has written an informative book about the SR-71: the plane, the program and the pilots. He wrote with passion, even though some of the prose is formless. The chapter about the technical aspects of the SR-71 is the most detailed I have ever seen. The book begins with a introduction to the selection and training of crews, follwed with technical info on the plane and subsystems. The book finished with a detailed narrative of a typical SR mission. The book is littered with snippets about the SR-71 and its crews. The book closes with an account of the termination of the SR-71 program. Some of the arguments are not coherant, and are overly critical of SR opponants, but the main thrust is the SR-71 filled a niche that no other recon platform could. Col Graham notes that if the SR had been flying during the Gulf War, it would still be flying today. This shows the real value of the SR-71. It is most useful in times of crisis. If you are not an SR fan, this book will make you long to be a "Habu". Overall I enjoyed this book, although some of the tales of Air Force days of old could have been left out. Good work Colonel!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Technical and Historical Aspects of the Plane, March 29, 2001

By	Naveed Nooruddin (Wichita, Kansas USA) - See all my reviews

Wow is one of the many words that describe this book. It is a memoirs of the SR-71, told in a story-telling manner which won't allow you to put the book down. The level of detail Col. Graham goes into is spectacular. He tells of others many experiences of the SR-71 as well as his own. Like when traveling at mach 3, how a sunset would rise and when they slowed down it would set again. It makes one realize that the SR-71 is the Icon of American ingenuity as well as military might.