The latest in Specialty Press' new books is one on an aircraft that is a favorite of many, the ultra-fast Lockheed Blackbird family of aircraft. Though no longer flying, for decades, it has been one of the fastest and most mysterious of America's military aircraft.

Now, thanks to recently de-classified images, the full story of the Blackbird in all its guises, A-12, YF-12 and SR-71 can be told. Instead of pages of prose, Specialty Press and author Tony Landis have decided to use photos to to tell this story of this unique aircraft. From the project's beginning as drawings and later wooden model mockup's we see how the design and shape of the first variant, the single seat A-12 was developed. Tested and initially flown from the USAF's hidden base at Groom Lake, it proved to be a world beater right from the start. It was with the A-12 that the equally unique D-21 drone system was developed and while it was not practical for the Blackbird, it was operationally used with B-52s for a very short and relatively unproductive time. Only a few A-12s were  built for the CIA and it was placed into long term storage after only a few years of use. Eventually, survivors were sent to museums.

Of course, it is not surprising that the aircraft would draw the interest of the USAF as it would make a formidable interceptor. So the YF-12 program developed around the huge ASG-18 fire control system and the equally large Hughes AIM -47 missile. However, it was realized that while the system worked, the cost of building and operating the aircraft was more than the USAF was willing to pay and so the program was terminated in 1968 after only three airframes had been built. These were later used by NASA and as a spares source for the third and most well known version the SR-71

The SR-71 version was a dedicated two seat aircraft that was built in larger numbers than the first two variants combined. Its high speed and high altitude capabilities made it a perfect reconnaissance platform and over the years, the aircraft proved its worth taking photos of areas of the world where no other aircraft would be able to operate. Even though its mission has been taken over by satellites, the SR-71 was still a valued asset right up until retirement as it was able to get in and get the photos before satellites would be able to eventually get around to taking the images. It is an asset that is now taken over by larger, subsonic drones, and while the drones can get the images, in a hostile air space, its more likely to be lost than a manned, high speed platform. The SR-71 ended its days in a last operational gasp  with NASA and a limited reprieve with the 9th SRW before once again, going into mothballs and then off to museums.

What makes this book so special is the inclusion of over 100 images that have never been seen in print. Thanks to the de-classification of CIA image files on the subject, we now can get a look at the Blackbird like never before. The images are all crisp and clear and a real treat for the Blackbird fan.

It is a book that I immensely enjoyed reading and thumbing through the images. It is one that I know you will like and so give it my highest recommendation.

March 2010

Review book courtesy of Specialty Press, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

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