SR-71 at Udvar Hazy

Jack,

What are the dark colored pads that seem to be lined up on the ground under both engines? Can't be pads to absorb leaks, can they? I was thinking they drained all of the systems before displaying the aircraft.
 
kyleb said:
Jack,

What are the dark colored pads that seem to be lined up on the ground under both engines? Can't be pads to absorb leaks, can they? I was thinking they drained all of the systems before displaying the aircraft.
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I think they do catch drips, and I thought the same as you. Note the spot on the pad on our left (plane starboard), second from the front. Truthfully, I don't really know for sure. I suppose I can send an e-mail and ask.
 
Jack, you know you can see one of those a LOT closer to home, right? :)
 
I'd be willing to believe the thing still leaks from time to time. Unless they took all the "plumbing" out (which I doubt), all those little drops of stuff remaining go somewhere after long enough.
 
There was a fascinating series of podcast on show titled: “Podcasting on a Plane” about SR71 Pilots. Amazing that cruise flight was Mach 3. Episode 65 of the podcast had a fascinating story from pilot whose plane started oscillating up and down at over Mach 3 when all three flight computers went off line. He was lucky to survive. Worth a listen.


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I took the boys down to the Air Force Museum at Warner Robins a few weeks ago. It was the first time I had been there, and man was it packed with aircraft! We got there with less than two hours before closing, but I'm pretty sure I could spend all day there and not really dig in to everything they have there.

One of the coolest displays was the SR-71 that they have - it's the actual aircraft that broke the speed record. I'm sure there have been other "unofficially" faster planes flying actual missions, but it was still neat to see the actual aircraft that is currently listed as 'the fastest aircraft in the world'. OBTW - it sits about 50' away from a U-2 Dragon Lady which is another rare one to see.
 
Yeah, but we have ICBMs too. :)

I don’t know if you’ve seen them, but there are a few old Nike missile sites not far from there. Easy to spot from the air if you know where they are.
 
DaleB said:
Yeah, but we have ICBMs too. :)

I don’t know if you’ve seen them, but there are a few old Nike missile sites not far from there. Easy to spot from the air if you know where they are.
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I've been looking for them, but I haven't seen the swooshes. Did they use that logo back then? :goofy:

All joking aside, I didn't know those were here. I found them on maps, so I'll look for them.
 
Cap'n Jack said:
You mean this one? :)
View attachment 80471

The one I started this thread with came with the space shuttle ;)
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Is that the SAC museum? I was there a few weeks ago. Getting my picture taken with the Clay Anderson cut-out (though I've met the real one and I went to the prelaunch "I Dream of Jeannie"-themed party before the last shuttle launch he was on.
 
flyingron said:
Is that the SAC museum? I was there a few weeks ago. Getting my picture taken with the Clay Anderson cut-out (though I've met the real one and I went to the prelaunch "I Dream of Jeannie"-themed party before the last shuttle launch he was on.
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It is indeed the SAC museum. Once a year, I get the run of the place because I help with a science program there.
 
Cap'n Jack said:
I've been looking for them, but I haven't seen the swooshes. Did they use that logo back then? :goofy:

All joking aside, I didn't know those were here. I found them on maps, so I'll look for them.
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I keep meaning to mark them on the GPS and keep forgetting. Look south of Mead. It’s just a set of four identical oddly shaped perimeter roads, with some of the original buildings left. No trace of the doors or magazines or anything. Still, kinda cool to find them. If you’re going to be at Millard, PM me and I’ll take you out in the 12 to see ‘em if I can.
 
DaleB said:
I keep meaning to mark them on the GPS and keep forgetting. Look south of Mead. It’s just a set of four identical oddly shaped perimeter roads, with some of the original buildings left. No trace of the doors or magazines or anything. Still, kinda cool to find them. If you’re going to be at Millard, PM me and I’ll take you out in the 12 to see ‘em if I can.
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That will be nice. I need to get a flight review done, and you just reminded me I need to call them. I usually fly one of their C-172s. There is one where the owner has removed the open-window limiter, I like that one the most.
 
So do any aerodynamic wizards here know the point of the two indents on the nose of the aircraft? My models growing up always had this and I never really thought to ask, but they're *very* pronounced in this photo below.. I can't imagine anything on this aircraft is accidental, and every individual design feature must have a purpose.. so what say you?
upload_2019-12-3_14-24-50.png

PS..I love the brute force look of the paneling, the rivets, etc. What an absolute beast of a machine
 
IIRC, they are/were electronic countermeasures antennas that were added during the aircraft’s service. Whether they receive, transmit, or both, I dunno.
 
kyleb said:
IIRC, they are/were electronic countermeasures antennas that were added during the aircraft’s service. Whether they receive, transmit, or both, I dunno.
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Thanks, odd how aggressively they protrude.. I'm sure they're placed in the best compromise position available.. but they're definitely a unique feature that don't look bad but seem somewhat out of place
 
kyleb said:
IIRC, they are/were electronic countermeasures antennas that were added during the aircraft’s service. Whether they receive, transmit, or both, I dunno.
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Interesting. I wondered the same thing as @Tantalum . I'm assuming that is metal there so I'm surprised radio could go through it, either way.
 
DaleB said:
Oh... uhhh... crud. So do I, I was due last month. Guess I better call a CFI and get that done.
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I'm set for this Saturday afternoon. Expect a storm that day.
 
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