Building an RC Blackbird

An SR-71 nine years in the making

- GERRY YARRISH

When it comes to ultra-secret, highaltitude recon and surveillance, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is the very icon of awe and mystery. Few people have ever seen these futuristic-looking aircraft up close that weren’t on active duty. The full-size Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3-plus strategic reconnaissance aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force. Developed as a black project in the 1960s by Lockheed Skunk Works division, it was in service from 1964 to 1998 and was designed to fly at 80,000 feet. A total of 32 aircraft were built.