SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird

The complete story of the world's highest, fastest plane

At the height of the Cold War in 1964, US President Lyndon B. Johnson announced a new aircraft dedicated to strategic reconnaissance. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane flew more than three-and-a-half times the speed of sound, so fast that no other aircraft could catch it. Flying at above 80,000 feet - more than three times the height of Everest - its pilots had to wear full-pressure flight suits similar to those used aboard the space shuttle.

Developed by the renowned Lockheed Skunk Works, the SR-71 was an awesome aircraft in every respect, and changed the landscape of modern aviation and modern warfare. The SR-71 was in service with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998, when it was withdrawn from use, superseded by satellite technology. Twelve of the thirty-two aircraft were destroyed in accidents, but none were ever lost to enemy action.

Throughout its thirty-four-year career, the SR-71 was the world's fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft. It set world records for altitude and speed: an absolute altitude record of 85,069 feet on July 28, 1974, and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour on the same day. On September 1, 1974, it set a speed and time record over a recognized course between New York and London (3,508 miles) of 1,435.587 miles per hour and an elapsed time of 1 hour, 54 minutes, 56.4 seconds.

SR-71 covers every aspect of the SR-71's development, manufacture, modification, and active service from the insider's perspective of one its pilots and is lavishly illustrated with more than 200 photos.

'SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird' Book Competition 'SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird' Book Competition 'SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird' Book Competition

Author Col. Richard H. Graham, USAF (Ret.), was a long-time pilot of the SR-71, serving as an instructor and wing commander for the Blackbird, and he brings all of his personal knowledge to SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird, The World's Highest, Fastest Plane. With more than two hundred images - many never before published, including declassified documents - SR-71 immerses the reader in the design, development, testing and active service of the aircraft throughout its lifetime from 1964 to 1999. The inside stories, first-hand accounts and behind-the-scenes photographs contained herein make SR-71 an exciting and extensive guide to this most spectacular machine, and the people who made it what it was.

This competition is now closed. Our thanks to everyone who entered. Our three lucky winners are Alan Longstaff, Colin Foster and Paul McIvor.