Feuer Zug Posted January 30, 2017 The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" was a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. American aerospace engineer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the design's innovative concepts. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch was detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile. The SR-71 was designed with a reduced radar cross-section. The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents and none lost to enemy action. The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including Blackbird and Habu. It has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft since 1976; this record was previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12. The SR-71 was the world's fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft throughout its career. On 28 July 1976, SR-71 serial number 61-7962, piloted by then Capt. Robert Helt, broke the world record: an "absolute altitude record" of 85,069 feet (25,929 m). Several aircraft have exceeded this altitude in zoom climbs, but not in sustained flight. That same day SR-71 serial number 61-7958 set an absolute speed record of 1,905.81 knots (2,193.2 mph; 3,529.6 km/h), approximately Mach 3.3. SR-71 pilot Brian Shul states in his book The Untouchables that he flew in excess of Mach 3.5 on 15 April 1986 over Libya to evade a missile. General characteristics Crew: 2: Pilot and Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO) Payload: 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of sensors Length: 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m) Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m) Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) Wing area: 1,800 ft2 (170 m2) Empty weight: 67,500 lb (30,600 kg) Loaded weight: 152,000 lb (69,000 kg) Max. takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,000 kg) Wheel track: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m) Wheelbase: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m) Aspect ratio: 1.7 Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58-1 continuous-bleed afterburning turbojets, 34,000 lbf (151 kN) each Performance Maximum speed: Mach 3.3 (2,200+ mph, 3,540+ km/h, 1,910+ knots) at 80,000 ft (24,000 m) Range: 2,900 nmi (5,400 km) Ferry range: 3,200 nmi (5,925 km) Service ceiling: 85,000 ft (25,900 m) Rate of climb: 11820 ft/m (60 m/s) Wing loading: 84 lb/ft² (410 kg/m²) Thrust/weight: 0.44 Information taken from www.wikipedia.org Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Littleworlds Posted January 30, 2017 It is very nice to see someone having a go on one of the most iconic planes ever made . You got the overall silhouette very well, but I miss some refinement on it. It has a very smooth-lined, organic shape and I strongly recommend using rounded slope pieces and SNOT techniques. I know I might ask a lot. Lego isn't really the medium to create shapes like that, but as a beautiful plane the Blackbird is, its definitely worth a try, if you ask me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickbyBrickTechnic Posted January 30, 2017 Wow! Amazing shaping of the entire plane! I've always wanted to build one of those, but can't due to a severe lack of black pieces Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koalayummies Posted January 31, 2017 Did the 7 and the 1 get switched around on the baseplate? SR-17 Birdblack. Looks are pretty spot on. Might want to put quotes around the copied text and direct link to the text-cited page SR-71 Blackbird Wikipedia. Nice MOC! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feuer Zug Posted January 31, 2017 6 hours ago, koalayummies said: Did the 7 and the 1 get switched around on the baseplate? SR-17 Birdblack. Looks are pretty spot on. Might want to put quotes around the copied text and direct link to the text-cited page SR-71 Blackbird Wikipedia. Nice MOC! Thanks. Yes, the 7 and 1 are switched and I have made the correction. As for the text, it's a cut version I use on another site as well. I will probably link it next time here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBeeze Posted January 31, 2017 Looks good. This is on my list for a future build. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koalayummies Posted January 31, 2017 16 hours ago, Feuer Zug said: Thanks. Yes, the 7 and 1 are switched and I have made the correction. As for the text, it's a cut version I use on another site as well. I will probably link it next time here. Oh ok, awesome. Didn't mean for that to distract. Once again great MOC, you made a really realistic recreation especially for the small scale which is always more difficult. Great work and awesome and challenging choice of aircraft to build in Lego. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
