Sexy bird

[The JoJo]

I just watched a short flick about the SR-71 Blackbird taking off a runway.
I still think that's the sexiest bird of all times.

Anyone have any good links/info they would want to share about this "chick" ? ;)

Talk about curves.....

[Will Rickards WT]

I like the looks of the F22 Raptor.

[The JoJo]

It looks more "technical" in my eyes. The Blackbird looks more sleek, aerodynamic, smooth, round....

[The JoJo]

F22 Raptor:

http://www.f22fighter.com/f22poster2.jpg

[The JoJo]

Sr-71A Blackbird picture:

http://www.combataircraft.com/aircraft/ssr71_p_02_l.jpg

[SteveC]

NASA has some nice high resolution pictures of the SR-71 here (http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/SR-71/). I've seen the A-12 they have at the Intrepid Museum (http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/exhibits_a-blackbird.html), and it really is an impressive looking plane. I have to agree with Will, though, and say that the F-22 looks nicer.

[Buck]

Maybe it is just nostalgia, but I think the SR-71 looks better too. The SR-71 looks like it can go fast, the F-22 just looks so hum-drum. I can't come up with any complimentary adjectives for the F-22 except that it looks technical or modern. Neither of those words carries a strong emotion or meaning for me. Whereas the Black Bird looks modern, it can be more eloquently described as sleek, aerodynamic, regal, and high-speed (oh yeah, and Clint Eastwood flew one). I mean, just look at it:
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/SR-71/Small/EC94-42531-4.jpg

[Buck]

Another (http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/SR-71/Medium/EC93-03092-5.jpg) beautiful shot.

[The JoJo]

Beautiful pic Buck! Especially that one where the plane is on the ground.

[The JoJo]

Ahhh, now we're talking, thanks SteveC!! Great images there!

[The JoJo]

Damm, I would be exstatic to visit that museum...
Can you walk around that carrier freely?

[cquinn]

(oh yeah, and Clint Eastwood flew one).

I don't recall him flying one... was that in FireFox?

[iGary]

A few years back, right at dusk, I saw a *pair* of SR-71s coming in for a landing. The SR-71 is quite long, about the length of a Boeing 737 airliner.

As these two SR-71s were coming in for a landing right in front of me, with their engines more or less idling, I couldn't help but notice the flames sort of wafting about lazily in the breeze behind each of the aircraft engines! Really strange looking. Most of the mid section of the SR-71 is a giant fuel tank.

[time]

I don't understand why anyone would compare the SR-71 and the F22. One is a high-tech battle platform and the other is the second greatest aircraft ever built. 8)

A great (http://photo.thetechzone.com/computers.php?photo=1630) photo.

I also found this page (http://www.lowobservable.com/Blackbird.htm) that provides an excellent precis. Regular plane travellers might get a kick out the link to NASA's java applet.

BTW, the greatest aircraft ever built would have to be the Concorde. Faster than the F22, carrying 126 extra passengers, with 50% greater range ... never mind, I'm sure Lockheed will catch up one day. :mrgrn:

[The JoJo]

I managed to get a file called "Aviation SR71 blackbird inaction" with e-mule. It contained 52 jpg/tiff images of a book of some sorts with lots of text and pictures about the history and different aspects of the plane. Looked VERY informative.

If someones interested, pm.

[SteveC]

Damm, I would be exstatic to visit that museum...
Can you walk around that carrier freely?

Yes, you can, as well as the sub they have.

[Will Rickards WT]

I don't understand why anyone would compare the SR-71 and the F22.

I was comparing the aesthetics only.
Clearly they are designed for different purposes.
Also I tend to like fighter planes better.

[Howell]

Damm, I would be exstatic to visit that museum...
Can you walk around that carrier freely?

Yeah. I have some pictures I've been meaning to scan. I also have a couple of a Helldiver.