SR71 Nostalgia

[HPSimpson]

Let's talk about JP-7 turbine fuel it is not conventional distillate fuel at all, but is created from special blending stocks. Doesn't contain the following benzene, no toluene, very low amount sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen impurities. Is a compound mixture composed primarily of hydrocarbons, alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkybenzenes, indanes, naphthalenes, and fluorocarbons for its lubricant properties, there was item added to the formula to hide the exhaust plume caesium- compound know as A-50. Shell oil developed this in 1955 for CIA.

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron, the aircraft was not an SR-71, was A-12 the CIA version the single seat, did not have some back seat driver!

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron, the aircraft was not an SR-71, was A-12 the CIA version the single seat, did not have some back seat driver!

Yep, but I guess they are considered in the same family of aircraft. I picked up on it too as the title is SR71 top speed, but A12 is actually listed. From what I read, an actual SR71 may not have attained this speed as they were heavier. At any rate. this would establish the SR71 was NOT the fastest air breathing aircraft, the A12 was.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Jim W]

According to my book the "Sled Driver" the SR-71 left the service of the Air Force on March 6 1990. The last and official flight from Palmdale Calf to Washington DC was flown on that day with all of the planes speed and altitude records intact. The plane did set four new continental speed records that day, from Los Angeles Calif to Washington DC in 64 minutes with an average a speed of 2,145 MPH.

Not too shabby in my humble opinion! The plane does hold some speed records but they maybe all still classified, and not available to the general public, maybe another 50 years they might be available.

 

[brucejohnson]

Yep, but I guess they are considered in the same family of aircraft. I picked up on it too as the title is SR71 top speed, but A12 is actually listed. From what I read, an actual SR71 may not have attained this speed as they were heavier. At any rate. this would establish the SR71 was NOT the fastest air breathing aircraft, the A12 was.

Cheers, Ron

OK..OK...An SR-71 must be brought back from museum status just to prove the it CAN beat that record. This refers to any record another aircraft set, shortly thereafter the SR-71 would miraculously set another new record. But then, just maybe, the A-12 is considered a "family member" so they won't. They are still the most amazing aircraft.

 

[SnoKing]

Did they truck the SR71 to Everygreen Museum in Oregon? I have a friend here in the park that flew in the 747 that was made into the waterslide there. Spruce Goose came up the river on a barge.

 

[Wiredawg]

According to my book the "Sled Driver" the SR-71 left the service of the Air Force on March 6 1990. The last and official flight from Palmdale Calf to Washington DC was flown on that day with all of the planes speed and altitude records intact. The plane did set four new continental speed records that day, from Los Angeles Calif to Washington DC in 64 minutes with an average a speed of 2,145 MPH.

Not too shabby in my humble opinion! The plane does hold some speed records but they maybe all still classified, and not available to the general public, maybe another 50 years they might be available.

Yep, I think the official records still stand,but I think we all suspected there were "unofficial" top speeds that occurred during missions.

A long time ago, the B58 sled drivers were still reluctant to talk about specifics of thier high speed experiences. The secret sam world is funny that way.

And WRT to classified info, I still dont discuss any of it regardless of current classification status. Just a lot easier to stay on the right side of EVERYTHING.

EDIT: BTW I still think this smartphone app is really cool actually bringing me SR71 articles.

Cheers. Ron

 

[brucejohnson]

Let's talk about JP-7 turbine fuel it is not conventional distillate fuel at all, but is created from special blending stocks. Doesn't contain the following benzene, no toluene, very low amount sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen impurities. Is a compound mixture composed primarily of hydrocarbons, alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkybenzenes, indanes, naphthalenes, and fluorocarbons for its lubricant properties, there was item added to the formula to hide the exhaust plume caesium- compound know as A-50. Shell oil developed this in 1955 for CIA.

JP-7 didn't make a good refill at all for an empty Zippo lighter, whereas the JP-4 worked just fine.

 

[HPSimpson]

JP-7 is not for Zippo lighters, yes JP-4 will work just keep clear of your face will burn. Did you know that Boeing X-51 Waverider also used JP-7 was a scramjet engine that flew Mach 5.

 

[brucejohnson]

JP-7 is not for Zippo lighters, yes JP-4 will work just keep clear of your face will burn. Did you know that Boeing X-51 Waverider also used JP-7 was a scramjet engine that flew Mach 5.

JP-7: Couldn't quite safely contain the TEB requirement with a Zippo.
JP-4: Your leg, and any other nearby appendage, WILL turn a most PAINFULL red (chemistry at work) if Zippo was over-filled. Danged that smarts for a long time, too. BIG owie!
Just trying to be environmentally sensitive when the BUFF surge tanks begin depositing precious "lighter fluid" on the ground before the tank on wheels arrives...

 

[HPSimpson]

Jim your Sled driver book needs up date; In 1995 Congress brought back two Sr 71a and one Sr 71b back in to USAF these aircraft were station at Edwards AFB; Sr-71a 61-17967, 61-17971, USAF just borrow back the Sr-71b back from NASA all three of these aircraft were restoration by Lockheed. In 1997 one Sr-71a 971 flew to Beale AFB for 50 years of Reconnaissance Air Show !

 

[Jim W]

Will since the book was a first printing and published in 1991, by Brian Shul (who was a sled driver), this is all I have to go on. He is also the photographer for all but one photo in the book. Which I think is pretty cool, author, photographer and Air Force Pilot both a sled driver and a tactical fighter pilot.

 

[Wiredawg]

Howdy Friends,

Today's SR71 article is pretty intetesting highlighting the planes special tires:

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/heres-why-sr-71-tires-are-silver/

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Triethylborane (TEB) This liquid was use for JP-7 because fuel has very low volatility and is difficult to ignite, injection to start the J-58 and light the afterburner.
There is a counter near the throttles since only have 16 shots. On a long mission have to keep eye on this counter because each time come out of afterburner to refuel and sometimes during refueling had to put one engine in first stage afterburner to stay connected to the tanker, to fill up completely to continue the mission. When filling tank (Teb) had to be real careful if connection or hose leak TEB would ignite! When injected into the engine during start-up would be bright green glow.

 

[brucejohnson]

Triethylborane (TEB) This liquid was use for JP-7 because fuel has very low volatility and is difficult to ignite, injection to start the J-58 and light the afterburner.
There is a counter near the throttles since only have 16 shots. On a long mission have to keep eye on this counter because each time come out of afterburner to refuel and sometimes during refueling had to put one engine in first stage afterburner to stay connected to the tanker, to fill up completely to continue the mission. When filling tank (Teb) had to be real careful if connection or hose leak TEB would ignite! When injected into the engine during start-up would be bright green glow.

From an observers point of view in the tanker, the asymmetrical thrust with only one AB sure creates an interesting yaw condition whilst connected. Everyone is super focused in their duties, including the observer...it's awesome!

 

[HPSimpson]

That condition occur under some unusual conditions during refueling as A-12 never add that occur, just SR aircraft, might have been the fact of adding fuel cell behind the drag chute, with fuel in that cell so far aft.
When filling TEB tank you are required to be in a fire suit period! I forgot about this Jewel!

 

[brucejohnson]

My super-duper flickering memory from 47 years ago seems to recall being told speed, altitude, CG and gross weight. The SR wasn't as happy at s-l-o-w speeds.

 

[HPSimpson]

The problem could have been resolve if the KC-135Q had JT-3 fan engines would have been a big improvement since that is why Blackbird's have such hard time staying connected, specially hit turbans bounce became unhooked then fuel all over the aircraft doing good wash job; then reconnect continue refueling. That's just my take.

 

[SnoKing]

Refueling video.

 

[SnoKing]

If I would have spilled that much fuel, I would have been fired as a semi tanker driver! 1976-79.