Air Vanguard - Lockheed DR71 Blackbird

This title completes the analysis of the extraordinary Mach 3 Lockheed planes by the “Air Vanguard” series, a great carry on from his previous book LOCKHEED A-12 The CIA's Blackbird and other variants in the same series. The SR-71 was longer and heavier than the A-12, allowing it to hold more fuel as well as a two-seat cockpit. The Blackbird would serve in the USAF from 1966 to 1998, spending its last days as a research platform for NASA. Paul Crickmore details in a clear and authoritative way all the peculiarities of the SR-71 and traces its history since the days of the genesis as a bomber, then evolved in the strategic recce planes that still owns speed and altitude records after more than 40 years. A very nice book that illustrates the intense and successful career of a plane that stands high in aviation history.