Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, 61-7951 / 2002, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 61-7951
Construction Number: 2002
Code Number: 17951
Model Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 23/06/2009
This 'Habu' was the second SR-71A constructed and is the oldest surviving example. She has a rather confusing history, construction began on this aircraft on 6 December 1963 and she made her first flight on 5 March 1965. Following the losses of YF-12As 60-6934 in August 1966 and 60-6936 in June 1971 she was loaned to NASA to complete their YF-12 research. However, she was redesignated (falsely) as a YF-12C and given the fake serial 60-6937 to cover up the fact that NASA were in fact using an SR-71. However, she should not be confused with the REAL 60-6937 which is actually an A-12. Because so little was known of the A-12 program in the 1970s. the fake serial could be used to successfully confuse the public into thinking that this Blackbird was actually a fourth YF-12. In October of 1978 these games ended and she was returned to the USAF and completed her last flight shortly afterwards on 22 December 1978. She was not used on operational reconnaissance missions but rather for various test duties before being retired to Pima. When this photograph was taken she was displayed outside, however, today she resides in the 'Spirit of Freedom Hangar' where this amazing aircraft is protected from the elements.
Picture ID:1179629