AnotherAZnative

YF-23 with an F-16B Chase Plane at Edwards AFB.

These are pictures of the very first SR-71, the 950. The plane that Robert Gilliland flew on the first flight, December 22, 1964

January 1967, it was burnt up during a test flight of the anti-skid braking system at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The main tires blew out, leading to a massive fire that destroyed the airframe. Test pilot Art Peterson was at the controls and safely evacuated.

Because this was an experimental test flight, the RSO seat was empty. The white circle around the nose was used to keep track of it during early flights.

Linda Sheffield

Resurrected from an old 35mm slide taken with a Minolta 101. China Lake Airshow. A4

credit Glenn Roquemore.

A Blue Angel jet looks good everywhere, but particularly striking against a mountain background in the western United States.

Grand Junction Airshow, 2023.

The Ferrari F40 - proof that legends never fade.

The 1990 Ferrari F40 remains the purest expression of speed and emotion — a twin-turbo V8, razor-sharp handling, and a design that defined a generation of supercars. With minimal electronics, stripped-down weight, and an unmistakable exhaust roar, the F40 delivers driving in its rawest, most thrilling form.

The last airworthy, European based, Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B”/“Memphis Belle”, 124485, coded DF-A, civil reg. G-BEDF.

Grumman X-29 - Wikipedia

Beretta / Langdon Tactical 92G Elite - 9mm Luger

Beretta / Langdon Tactical Model 92G Elite pistol, chambered in 9mm Luger. From the Langdon site: "The 92 Elite LTT with Low RDO can be customized with LTT's Trigger Job, NP3 and or Carry Bevel. Our patented Red Dot Optic cut offers the lowest red dot ready solution for the Beretta 92/96and M9 Series guns on the market. With three custom packages, five plate options, and nearly a dozen Holosun optic options, there's an LTT 92 RDO package for everyone. 

Aerial refueling aircraft carries 80,000lbs of fuel ( 12,000 + gallons)

refueling normally lasted about 12 to 15 minutes with 70,000 to 80,000 pounds of fuel transferred.

Normally flows around 25,000 feet with KC 135Q tanker starting at about 325 kn as fuel transferred from tanker it would accelerate to 350 kn IAS (its air speed limit). Maximum distance between refueling about 2800 NM or 3200 STATUTE miles.

Fun facts compelled by Buz Carpenter SR-71 Pilot

post by Linda Sheffield of Habubrats