I can’t remember what book it was, but I read an amazing book about one of the dudes that flew these, talking about how they would start a turn in one state and end up three states away when the turn was done.
I just like the solution to the engineering problem of the metal heating up and expanding at high speeds.
The entire thing was designed to fit together loosely on the ground…then tighten up at speed.
Including fuel tanks that leaked until the thing got up to temperature.
They couldn’t find a gasket material that could handle the heat. So, they’d take off leaking fuel, heat the plane up and meet a special tanker to fill up in flight. They had to do that every time they flew!
I can’t remember what book it was, but I read an amazing book about one of the dudes that flew these, talking about how they would start a turn in one state and end up three states away when the turn was done.
maybe this one? www.amazon.com/Sled-Driver-Flying-Worlds-Fastest/dp/0929823087?tag=tgiokdi-20
If you like this airplane, you’ll love this story…
LA SPEED STORY – SR-71 Pilot Brian Shul USAF (Ret.) (youtube.com)
I just like the solution to the engineering problem of the metal heating up and expanding at high speeds.
The entire thing was designed to fit together loosely on the ground…then tighten up at speed.
Including fuel tanks that leaked until the thing got up to temperature.
They couldn’t find a gasket material that could handle the heat. So, they’d take off leaking fuel, heat the plane up and meet a special tanker to fill up in flight. They had to do that every time they flew!