Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Projects

Regardless of how many other books on the Blackbird you have on your shelf you're going to want this one.First, the graphics by the author are incredible researched and detailed. They, and the accompanying text serve to illustrate the Family Tree of the Blackbird Family (including various branches I'd never heard about) to a degree you've probably never seen before. About those drawings, rather than regurgitate the same photos that you've seen a dozen times you get to see meticulously prepared drawings. For instance, everyone has seen the photo of the Blackbird wind tunnel model with the delta wing canards (see picture) but this is the first time I've seen what the finished airplane would have looked like.Second, author Scott goes out of his way to debunk the pinheads who make claims of "alien technology" in the creation of the Blackbird as well as putting to rest the whole LBJ and the SR-71 designation myth (I won't spoil the surprise, just buy the book).As I said at the beginning, whatever books you already own, you'll find that this book complements everything that comes before it.If I had one criticism, it's that the covers are a pretty light grade of paper and not the card stock I'd expect even for a paperback. That said, I'm glad that I bought this book.

This is a fabulous book filled with information you will not find anywhere else. It focuses on the design options and evolutions that the SR-71/A-12 went through before reaching their final configurations. It also shows the various follow-on options for aircraft and missions that might have been. It even includes designs proposed by contractors other than Lockheed.This is a perfect compliment to all the other S-71 books you might own. But if you don't have this one then your SR-71 library shelf is seriously deficient.For anyone who is interested in the design process for high performance aircraft this book is a must own. By seeing how the design of the SR-71 evolved on its way to operations you can get insights into the thought process of genius designers who made the impossible possible.This book is something you should not miss.Most highly recommended.

As the book's title says, this is about the design evolution of the SR-71 Blackbird. One study led to another, with some concepts being built, and others not. The author has a dry wit--one example can be found with his description of pentaborane's drawbacks as a fuel. The text also contains an explanation of the challenges of manufacturing with titanium.The book is extensively illustrated with scale line drawings of concept and production aircraft. There are proposals I've never heard of, including attaching scale model space shuttles to the SR-71 to test high-speed aerodynamics.This book is a must for SR-71 fans. And anyone interested in aviation history should enjoy the different concept aircraft covered here.

Saw this in the library one day. Really insightful and has great detail that you wouldn't expect at first glance.

After receiving the big box that this soft-cover book came in, I proceeded to opening it with an awful surprise. The book barely fit on all four sides. One of the corners was really bent and damaged. I believe I may be able to fix it by applying pressure over a long period of time. Never the less, it’s disappointing to get a new item and see it with damage from the beginning.To review about the actual book content, I expected information about the SR-71. Interestingly, it actually talks about the airplanes that came before it and how they kept modifying those models until landing on the SR-71 to finish talking about the aircraft itself. If this is not what you expected, then it’s not for you. Otherwise, give it a try!

Research was superb. Short of KellyJohnson and his Skunk Works crew nobody else could've written this book. Absolute must have if you've an interest in the SR-71.

Am extensive history of the blackbird that includes excellent diagrams of designs leading up to the A-12 and SR-71. Fascinating detail on all the possibilities of the platform that could have been.

I loved the many revelations of previously unreported history of U.S. cutting edge aircraft design during the Cold War, and the trove of illustrations, mostly general arrangement drawings as some of the projects never left the drawing boards. Where most books on the SR-71 I have seen treat it as a unique engineering miracle that originated in the Lockheed "Skunk Works," the author gives a broad context that shows how several major aerospace firms were competing to take manned flight to the edge of space. And for readers who hunger for technical details as well as overview, this book has them.

Ein grossartiges Buch über die Entwicklung dieses Flugzeuges zum kleinen Preis.

Very interesting book, excellent professional 3-view plans by author.

A great book reflecting the huge amount of research and data collection required, this man writes a book we can read and get information from in a manner we can easily get our noggins around. Brilliant, if you are interested in aviation and/or this aircraft, buy the bluddy book and you will NOT be disappointed.