Skunk Works 50 Years Ago

[livewire]

Interesting piece of history - how they transported the A-12 to Area 51.

(the A-12 aircraft was the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird)

 

http://www.roadrunnersinternationale.com/transporting_the_a-12.html

 

[mikeymad]

Will always remember the first time I walked into a massive hanger on Edwards Air Force Base with my Uncle and Dad (Just the three of us in there).. 

 

Over in one corner was a U2 and the other corner was a SR-71. Instantly drawn to it, it was one of the most elegant and aggressive things I had had ever seen.  

 

This was way before it had been decommissioned. It had flown that day.. One of the things that really stood out, was that there were drip trays almost everywhere under it. My late uncle explained that the tolerances were designed for the rarefied air of the upper atmosphere. So pretty much on the ground it just sets there and leaks, and it only really seals up when it if flying. They would fuel it, fly it, and empty it again.

 

Still one of the coolest things I have seen (oh and the U2 was okay as well)

 

Thanks for the link - It bought a very vivid memory back for me.

 

Cheers

[grawk]

dorsey's last name is interesting