CallMeTheZ
216400
4465
115
#lockheed_martin
#sr71
#funny
#pilot
#flight
#speed
#sunset
#spaceship
#f18
Original story source : https://youtu.be/8AyHH9G9et0
Butterstache
Salute, sir
KCBeard
I appreciate this story being reposted every now and then so I don't forget how great it is
MagicxFrog007x
I’m a simple man, I see SR-71, I upvote
TokyoTengu
I will always love the Blackbird.
Guges
If you haven't seen a SR-71 in person, get to the Air and Space Museum in Dulles, VA...oh the Space Shuttle Discovery is there also. =)
GaaraOfDaFunk
The hornet pilots reaction: https://imgur.com/YFIgDcA
malachilenomade
Knew a guy that did security when they first came out. Reporters would ask about it, but he had to look at them and say "What aircraft?" 1/
malachilenomade
2/ while standing directing in front of it. They were under orders to deny it's existence.
ScarecrowSticks
jpreeves2
Apparently pilots meow at each other on certain frequencies. Which is hilarious.
eddas
Sounds like the plot of a broken lizard movie.
IAmACyberneticOrganismLivingTissueOverEndoskeleton
Flexing on them normies plane, cool!
1down4up
I've read this story several times and it never gets old. There is another or there about then outrunning surface to air missles near Lybia
CallMeTheZ
listened to that, sounded cool haha
JCentauri
Mrdj362
Pretty cool.
v
MrMattster
My favourite fact about these jets is that they sourced the titanium to construct it from the Soviet Union
computerphile
Not that related, but that reminds me of this Adam Savage video (semi-defect titanium meant for F-22 used to make small saws):
computerphile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNNzgNZaLA
MadMupp
F18 pilot be like... "What? Where?"
LowlevelRebel
No, F-18 be like “...............”
nyaargh
entire squad lookin around like
v
Vivec88
Originally called rs-71, the us president announced it as sr-71, so they renamed it
Janusha
Back when defense budgets were endless and nobody cared.
Meatchris
SR-71 "A lot of things we couldn't do, but we could go fast"
nolittleplans
WHAT DO WE WANT? AIRPLANE NOISES? WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NEEEEEYYYYOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW
CallMeTheZ
haha
Time2Wasted
"There's always a bigger fish *smh*" - Hornet pilot, probably
3engdegrees
I was thinking that too, but for the SR-71, was hoping a Shuttle was in orbit at the time and did a ground speed check... 17,500 mph!
TheBlueMuppet
Wonder if you could get a ground speed check on a spacecraft. Probably not where the radar is pointed/too far away.
Thisismyusernamenotyoursitsmine
We need a scientist!
retgarr
I just met him a few weeks ago and he told us that story.
CallMeTheZ
handjob?
retgarr
Brian Shul. No mention of HJ's. They wore pressure suits. I don't think they are equipped for such maneuvers, so I didn't ask.
jss821
The plane was originally designated the RS-71, but President Johnson said it wrong in a speech. Rather than correct him, they changed it.
jss821
Source: “Skunkworks” - fascinating book about the plane’s builders.
CouchCarrot
Just read about this. Wikipedia says Curtis LeMay lobbied to have the speech changed. Looks like Johnson didn't know anything about it.
CallMeTheZ
true story
davehawkey13
Great story. She is an icon, love to see one up close.
davehawkey13
Sucks it has to be in a museum and not in the air
mikeatike
Visit the Udvar-Hazy center. SR71 and Space Shuttle Discovery right next to each other. Also, Concorde, Enola Gay, Lockheed Constellation.
Slowpoke90
Another fun read is the slowest flight where they do a fly by for an academy grad (Navy l think) and they almost stall it but recover ...
GameSmarterNotHarder
Sauce?
Slowpoke90
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-sr-71-blackbirds-most-spectacular-flyover-was-also-1719654907
KirkSteel
Great read! Thank you!
gordy77
And blow all the cadets hats off on accident before they nearly fell out of the sky?
Cosmogonic
seen that one. they went down to 270mph. the SR71 passed the cadets at FULL WOT.
gordy77
Where's our thrust?
Cosmogonic
went more liek: dude what's da airspeed? OHSHIT.JPG FLOORIT.PSB
giantsmountain
thats the one
gordy77
The copilot said "Never do that again!"
FortressCraft
Lovely story, well-told, as every, but... how did he know Dusty-52 was an F18? (Poetic license or fancy tech?)
RomeoEightJuliet
Just a guess, but IFF transponder maybe? They were over the U.S. in peacetime.
AlphaARC101
or affiliation (ie American Airlines + flight number as callsign (2/2)
rudegoldberg
Who else would be doing 620 knots and sound that cocky on the radio?
FortressCraft
Falcon F-16? (Idk, my question was if he knew it was an F-18 or if it was poetic license for a better story)
KirkSteel
Maybe even an F-15?
AlphaARC101
This kind of call sign is, to my knowledge, military exclusive; Civilian planes usualy just have their tailnr. (1/2)
FortressCraft
Ok, but I doubt the guy memorised every callsign - is 'Dusty' always an F-18?
Tempcore
Yeah there's lists for all the callsigns. I found a current one and all F18's from NAS Lemoore are callsign Raider now
extralargehobo
Maybe he pieced it together after hearing how fast it was going but retold the story in a different sequence? This is purely speculation
TsubakiTragic
Australian here... I believe military squadrons (fighters in particular) have unique squadron radio identifiers, hence Dustyxx.
CallMeTheZ
you would be surprised how much information these kind of pilots could intake and remember. They have to be pretty clever dudes
indrabar
Going that fast, if nothing else you'd have to be observant or you'd be a liability.
mikeatike
This suggests its an F-16, but the story is from a lot longer ago. https://henney.com/chm/callsign.htm
mikeatike
Lol, Callsign EXXON is for tankers.
mikeatike
Also GETTY and GASMAN.
TheBillionaire
Always love reading this story.
AliFayad
Me too.
RustyMcKraken
And the 1st time i've seen it posted with the source. Definitely +1
Boondangle40
Me too! Also the great private airplane explosive pooping story "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain"
SamuthNBS
Me too, and the one about leaving Libya a bit hot and ending up overshooting the Med.
SkeletonRecruiter
And the ultra low ultra slow fly-by
Ckenteris
I don't know that one, any chance you have a link?
idontlikepickingusername
The airshow flyby is good too
SamuthNBS
It and OP are from the book 'Sled Driver' by Major Brian Shul. I've seen various excerpts online but can't find the end of the story atm.
MrSaturday
Ckenteris
thanks a lot, will look into it when i'm home from work
phillsman
Please keep us updated
SamuthNBS
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-sr-71-blackbirds-most-spectacular-flyover-was-also-1719654907 Check this link too, fun story
SamuthNBS
http://barthworks.com/aviation/aviation_sr71/sr71libya/sr71libya.htm
MrFlibbleIsVeryCross
SR-71 : Ground Speed please. Houston : NYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM
Broonstar
https://imgur.com/OH98ylC
epsiloncrow
https://media1.giphy.com/media/l3V0gmhfRG12VuuZy/giphy.gif
MrFlibbleIsVeryCross
Negative ghostrider, the pattern is full
vitaminalgas
MrFlibbleIsVeryCross
I am no longer able to illustrate complex emotions in real life. It's a gif and a curse
maddylion
I see what you did there
justahumanonline
That's the best TL;DR
NotACanadian
International Space Station: sup bros
Stephen9000
Amazing comment
Zorbaq
*WOOSH*
ThySausagePrince
*SILENCE*
WannaSeeMy
Astronaughout: bye, see you in 30 minutes! I just need to orbit the world real quick.
WillTheFifth
*90 minutes
WannaSeeMy
Wow they're going slower than I remember..... millenials must be slacking again! (: JK
ShaitanTheUnborn
Original source Sled driver by Brian Shul. A fantastic read but impossible to find a copy at a reasonable price. (No you can’t borrow mine.)
ChallengerDeep
Shul's a fantastic speaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZRP1q1PGUk : pic of Shul and Walter:
Boatsntoes
One missile did
DarinLeonard
I actually got to hear Brian give this story at a fund raising event. Then I bought a copy for a Christmas gift for my dad. $120 well spent
Circosys
Please?
ShaitanTheUnborn
Not even if you have breasts. Sorry
Circosys
Fair enough.
OHoulihan
Doot
Phocasola
Yeah, the prices for the book are insane, but god bless the internet: https://www.reddit.com/r/SR71/comments/78jike/link_sled_driver_pdf/
CallMeTheZ
5th please for being responsible for the re-post of this goodness
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
StarGazer588
.
pixarpizza
.
USSCHUBMARINE
Can i borrow yours
hockeyham
PM me for link
NHRA21
The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird by Richard H. Graham is also a great read. It covers all of the Blackbirds as well as the pilots.
shiyal
I have a scanned copy on my home computer, Ill see if I can post it over the weekend.
MrSaturday
TheBreadlord
I would love it if you would notify me of this. I can't for the life of me find it anywhere.
1993f150
Got a reprinted version for Christmas last year...my child did good...btw very good read
IRefuseToBeKilledByMyUsername
.
shhep
Also the ebook available for free on web is an abridged version. Also, not posting a link, last time I posted, imgur killed the only host I
shhep
had of this book :D
Metallica93
Could you give me details about the abridged vs. full version just so I know what to look for? A user above said he has a .PDF.
TeamNutmeg
I found an autographed copy at a local used book store for $6 last year. One of my better used book store finds
ShaitanTheUnborn
I’m very envious. Mine was ten times that and I still considered it a bargain (not signed either)
twfeline
"One of?"
TeamNutmeg
I count among them a first-run printing of the very early RPG "Bunnies and Burrows" for like $3, and some less rare but personal faves.
slipstream222
I found a PDF of the book a few years ago, decent read, your searching may reveal it also, or PM me
AlbertSpinestein
Likewise. I have the pdf also, so if you get bored of sending it, I can help out folks. I implore you all to read it, it is incredible.
pixarpizza
Can I get a copy as well?
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
idontlikepickingusername
I was able to find it a few months ago still pretty easily IIRC.
CapnShanty
I also want it!
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
SpecialAgentCake
May I see it? I'd love to read it
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
PreviousNameWasStalkable
Could you maybe make that two?
[deleted]
[deleted]
ThomKlanc
Backup in case his doesn't work
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
KingDomino
Please send me one
Partytor
Make that three, please <3
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
Partytor
Thanks! Some people were talking about an abridged version, do you know if this is the original or the abridged?
Hoffafiles
Not really sure, I see some on amazon say 151 and 168 pages, so it might be
Metallica93
I'll take a copy, por favor. I'll check out prices afterward (always gotta support the good stuff).
Hoffafiles
Not sure how long the link will be up http://www.filedropper.com/sleddriver-brianshul1260
Metallica93
Thought it was 300 pages? Or maybe I misread something. Thanks a ton!
SirBagels
You say that, but last I checked it was like. $500 I WISH I could support it. :(
Metallica93
Jesus butt fuck. Lack of supply, I take it? Same thing for a show I wanted to buy. $150 for a Blu-ray because the company doesn't make a lot
SirBagels
It had one very limited run... :( makes me want to cry....