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52 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
52 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
Here is the info on the plaques at the Blackbird Airpark as read from
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Paul Stahl's photos he sent me. Thanks again to Paul for sending them
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to me. Please note that there are a few typos/spelling errors in this
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information. I included them in the spirit of accurate reporting!?
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LOCKHEED
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A-12
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The A-12 was the proof-of-concept vehicle for the SR-71/YF-12 family
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of "Blackbirds." It was the 12th in a series of designs for a U-2
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replacement from Kelly Johnson's "Skunk Works," hence the designation
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"A-12." Although its operational service is shrouded in mystery, it
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is believed the single-seat A-12 was used exclusively in covert
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operations by the CIA from 1967 to 1968.
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**************
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Of the fifteen A-12's produced, this is the prototype aircraft,
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#60-6924....the first one built and flown. Although momentarily
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lifting off during a high-speed taxi check on Apr 24, 1962, it's
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first real flight was two days later, from the Air Force's classi-
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fied Groom Lake flight test facility in Nevada. Restoration
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courtesy of Lockheed Advanced Development Company.
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SPECIFICATIONS
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Wing Span...........................55.6 ft
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Wing Area.......................1,795 sq ft
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Length (excluding pitot)...........98.75 ft
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Height..............................18.5 ft
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Empty Weight.....................60,000 lbs
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Gross Takeoff Weight............120,000 lbs
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Engine.....2 Pratt & Whitney J-58 Turbojets
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Static Thrust (each)...........32,500 lbs
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(Note: #6924 made its first flight with
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two Pratt & Whitney J75's installed.)
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Crew......................................1
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Sensor Payload....................2,500 lbs
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PERFORMANCE
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Maximun Speed.........Mach 3.35 (2,211 mph)
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at 85,000 ft (estimated)
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Maximum Range (unrefuelled)........2,500 mi
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Maximum Operational Ceiling.......95,000 ft
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This aircraft is on loan from the USAF Museum Program
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