Flying the SR-71 Blackbird cover art

Flying the SR-71 Blackbird

In the Cockpit on a Secret Operational Mission

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Flying the SR-71 Blackbird

By: Richard H. Graham
Narrated by: Shawn Compton
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About this listen

For anyone who has ever wondered what it's like to fly the SR-71 on a secret Mach 3 reconnaissance mission, this book has the answer. Completely redesigned and updated with photos from author Colonel Richard H. Graham's personal archive, as well as a new introduction, Flying the SR-71 Blackbird details what an SR-71 mission entailed, from planning to donning a pressure suit to returning to base.

The Lockheed SR-71, unofficially known as the Blackbird, was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Skunk Works. The aircraft flew so fast and high that not one was ever shot down, even by a missile. SR-71 pilot and instructor Colonel Richard Graham offers a rare cockpit perspective on how regular Air Force pilots and navigators transformed themselves into SR-71 Blackbird crews, turning their unique aviation talents to account in an unprecedented way.

Arguably the world's foremost expert on piloting the Blackbird, Graham takes listeners along on an operational mission that only a few Air Force pilots have ever experienced.

©2008, 2010, 2019 Richard H. Graham (P)2021 Tantor
Air Forces Military & War Transportation Aviation Military
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What listeners say about Flying the SR-71 Blackbird

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

3x the speed

Flying the SR-71 Blackbird by #RichardHGraham. So if you want to know what it's like 🚀 flying at 3x the speed of sound, this #book takes you there. The writing about the @LockheedMartin & #skunkworks supersonic jet was detailed and accurate throughout. 📚 4/5🌟 #bookreview

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The detailed imagery

Everything that was said about that Blackbird Aircraft, the flying and the maintenance left nothing to your imagination

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly excellent

A dry subject that was surprisingly interesting. Lots of insights into both the SR71, management, technology and the politics especially around the intelligence community.
Recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible detail

If your into aircraft or in the UK heading to Duxford IWM in Cambridge to see the static Blackbird display then this book is for you. Excellently narrated with so much detail it will captivate you. Outstanding.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Bit nerdy but some good stuff in there

Sometimes a bit dry and specific but it's what is say on the tin. It's a full cockpit seat experience on what it was like to train, fly and be in the SR71 programme. Missss the paperwork with the hard copy a bit but a good listen all the same. Especially as it's so laden with facts and figures on the Blackbird story.

Really pleased I got this myself, but I think you need to be a pretty hardcore aviation enthusiast to appreciate it.

Now, if only "Sled Driver" was on Audible :-(.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

The audio book references diagrams in the hard copy version of the book which you just don’t have. Loads of nerdy detail down to what switch in the cockpit does what with occasional moments of insight and interest.

Disappointed and often rather bored.

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Wonderful

If you are interested in these planes, you'll be interested in this book. It is a superb insight into the Blackbird and it's variants.

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A brilliant read for the aviation enthusiast.

This book is of real interest for pilots & aviation fanatics. If you have a interest in all things SR-71 you will love it. The audio version does not come with the SR-71 cockpit schematic, it would benefit the book if these were available as PDF however a search will show you plenty of other SR-71 cockpit layouts. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book but it helped that I have read and watched loads of stuff on YouTube and visited the one at Duxford UK where they have a brilliant display.

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  • Overall
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Fascinateing Insight

Will really appeal to anyone with a knowledge already of the SR71. This really tells the inside story of the pilot and the planes every day operation.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Detail detail detail

If you are a pilot or a dedicated aviation person it’s fascinating. For a person just interested in the plane it’s quite good but there’s an awful lot of detail. Pre flight check chapter is an example. Description of every switch in all areas of the cockpit and beyond and why it does what it does. Aircraft capability is awesome and really enjoyed those parts plus what can go wrong at times. Really good descriptions. Liked it overall but a little of detail and like most military activities a lot of letters that are shortcuts to a long winded title of command or something technical.

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