Best Model Plane Ever

[ssiredfish]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

Knew a guy(my old boss) that was ground crew for the blackbird. Platinum o-rings, he confirmed that they leaked fuel real bad, take-off was always followed by in air re-fueling. Those engines got more efficient with altitude and the heat generated at mach3 would swell everything up and close the built in tolerances. One of my favorites and the German did it right. Did they ever de-clasify the performance numbers on her? Prolly one or two put away somewhere, just in case.

Last I checked they didn't publish the numbers and said they wouldn't until it was "officially" decommissioned. Also as far as I know you still aren't allowed around the rear of the fuselage.

Crazy fact about the SR-71, at +-40K ft it actually burns less fuel the faster you go.........