Constructed in October 1964, first flight in March 1965. Entered servive with the USAF in 1965 as 61-7951. Loaned to NASA around May 1991 as an YF-12C with false serial 60-6937. Back to the USAF in October 1978 and redsignated SR-71A. Loaned to Pima somewhere between 1978 and 1991.

Some people blocked my photo path...

This Blackbird crashed off the coast Philippines on 21 April 1989 while operating out of Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The crew of the Blackbird managed to eject safely after they reported that one of their engines exploded shortly after takeoff.

On its way to the runway of Mildenhall, what a sight!!

The sole SR-71B for NASA is seen here at the platform of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB (CA). Unfortunately, the full back light did not create the very best picture... The trainer was prepared for a familiarisation flight, its first official research flight for Dryden DFRC took place some two years later, on 9 March 1993. NASA 831 is former USAF 64-17956 and was delivered to the NASA on 25 July 1991 after a long USAF service that started in November 1965. After its NASA career the aircraft was dismantled and delivered to the Kalamazoo (MI) Air Zoo in March 2003 for perservation.

After a USAF career with the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing this Blackbird made its last flight on 19 Mar'90. It was transferred to the NASA on that same day. The aircraft was intented for use with NASA Dryden (CA) as N832NA as a test aircraft. On the picture it is seen on temporary storage at Dryden, but it lacked its NASA registration. The SR-71A was overhauled at Palmdale in early '95 and redelivered to the USAF in Jun'95 as a gap filler. It flew again from homebase Beale AFB (CA) up to Oct'99, returned to the NASA but went into storage and was eventually dismanteled late 2002.

This Blackbird crashed off the coast Philippines on 21 April 1989 while operating out of Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The crew of the Blackbird managed to eject safely after they reported that one of their engines exploded shortly after takeoff.

Parked on the static of the Mildenhall Air Fete '84.

Parked on the static of the Mildenhall Air Fete '86

An early morning, foggy and cold war, departure of a 9th Strategic Reconaissance Wing / Detachment 4 Blackbird from its detachment homebase Mildenhall.

SR-71 ops at RAF Mildenhall was from Apr'76 to 1990. Prior to Det.4 being established, UK permission was required for each sortie flown. The SR's stay was to be no longer than 20 days for each visit. On 5 Apr'82 PM Margaret Thatcher announced that Det.4 would be a permanent SR-71 Detachment with two Habu's assigned. Det.4 ceased operations on 22 Nov'89 with a final departure on 18 Jan'90. #964 is seen here on the approach of Mildenhall following a cold war mission.