SR-71 Blackbird

The SR-71 Blackbird was a sleek, high altitude reconnaissance jet used by the airforce from 1964 to 1998. The jet was nicknamed Habu by local Okinawans, because it resembled a local viper. The nickname stuck. This jet could reach 80,000 feet. Its standard evasive manuveer from attack was to accelerate and ascend to higher altitude. Only 32 jets were ever operational with twelve being destroyed in flight accidents. Only one crew member was killed in one of these accidents. After various budget battles in the Nineties, this jet was shelved. However, this plane remains the fastest and highest-flying operational manned throughout its career. From an altitude of 80,000 feet, it could survey 100,000 square miles -- truly, Eyes from the Sky.

Enjoy some products from Cafe Press with this idealized image from a photograph taken by this author at the March Field Air Museum in Moreno Vally, California. Also, you can see this image in canvasses, prints, and cards from http://JimFeliciano.ImageKind.com/Fightings. SR-71 - The Eyes from the Sky.