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Few aircraft are as instantly recognizable as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and Century Wings have reproduced the stunning lines of this aircraft perfectly in 1:72 scale. With Century Wings' usual degree of exceptional detail and accuracy, this model is absolute "must have" for any diecast aircraft collection. Nearly 18" in length and 9.25" in width, this model is sure to be the centerpiece of any collection. The Lockheed SR-71 was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft by the Lockheed Skunk Works. The SR-71 was unofficially named the Blackbird, and called the Habu by its crews. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the design's innovative concepts. A defensive feature of the aircraft was its high speed and operating altitude, whereby, if a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, standard evasive action was simply to accelerate.
The SR-71 line was in service from 1964 to
Few aircraft are as instantly recognizable as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and Century Wings have reproduced the stunning lines of this aircraft perfectly in 1:72 scale. With Century Wings' usual degree of exceptional detail and accuracy, this model is absolute "must have" for any diecast aircraft collection. This model is particularly unique as it represents the rare SR-71B trainer variant.
A total of 32 SR-71s were produced, consisting of 29 SR-71As, 2 SR-71Bs and 1 SR-71C. The 'B' variant differed from the 'A' by having a raised rear cockpit for the Instructor pilot. The aerodynamic effects of the raised cockpit at the front of such a long neck required additional ventral fins under the aircraft to maintain yaw control. Aircraft #61-7956 was first flown on November 18th, 1965. The second SR-71B, #61-7957, was lost in a landing accident in 1968. #61-7956 remained the cornerstone of the intensive 10 month/100 hour SR-71 flight-training program until 1990. In 1991, the aircraft was transferred to NASA for research flights before finally being retired in 1997. It is now on static display at the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
This replica of the SR-71 is constructed almost entirely of metal; only the smallest amount of plastic has been used in the manufacturing process. Crisply detailed panel lines and ultra-thin metal rudders and edges surround the airframe to reproduce this eye-catching speed demon. The sharply pointed shock cones protruding from the engine nacelles and the afterburner detail at the rear of the engine are accurately reproduced, and the correctly detailed set of landing gear and doors have been included as robust sub-assemblies that allow for quick and easy configuration for ground or in-flight display. |
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