Lockheed SR-71 Operations in the Far East (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

~ Paul Crickmore (Author), Chris Davey (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What makes this particular book such a great read is the depth of information provided on operations of the time. The accounts of the pilots and others involved adds much to making this such a fascinating book. Add to that the great choice of photos and several pages of well drawn profiles and you have a book that I know you will enjoy." -Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (December 2008)

Product Description

Even before the first operational flight of the legendary Lockheed U-2 spy plane, aircraft design genius Kelly Johnson began work with his team at the company's "Skunk Works" plant on the type's replacement. The result was the SR-71. First deployed on March 9, 1968, this tri-sonic 'hotrod' flew its first operational sortie over North Vietnam just 12 days later. On that debut mission, the Blackbird overflew surface-to-air missile sites with complete impunity, collecting the detailed intelligence that led directly to the end of the siege of Khe Sanh in the process.

Thereafter, the SR-71 roamed freely over areas previously denied to the vulnerable U-2, capturing photographic, radar and electronic intelligence. This book examines the immense impact this revolutionary aircraft had, not only on North Vietnam but during the Cold War as a whole, gathering information about the Soviet nuclear submarine fleet based in Vladivostok as well as the port's defenses, monitoring the actions of North Korea and flying four 11-hour, non-stop sorties into the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War in the late 1980s.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846033195
• ISBN-13: 978-1846033193
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #361,176 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic SR-71, December 13, 2008

By	Clive Phillips (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Paul Crickmore and Richard Graham have produced a superb series of books on the most magic aircraft our time - the SR-71. In this latest book Paul has again managed to produce a work of outstanding detail that is graced by many fascinating photographs, drawings and charts. Inevitably there is some cross over of detail with both Paul's and Richard's other works but that does not take anything away from this book. It is easy to read, logical in sequence and a must have for any lover of the Blackbird.

4.0 out of 5 stars Lockheed SR-71 Operations in the Far East, February 10, 2010

By	Joseph F. Zulaski (EATONVILLE, WA, US) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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As a retired USAF pilot, I enjoyed the book. Gives an excellent presentation of operational missions in the aircraft. A view that few people can experience. A good read. I wasn't aware of the high speeds and the length of same that were maintained. Quite a revelation of the capability of this unique aircraft. Envy those that got to fly it.