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All the United States Utah Hill AFB SR-71C Blackbird
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SR-71C Blackbird

The last SR-71 ever constructed.

Hill AFB, Utah

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Karen Kraus
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SR-71C Blackbird   kiirenza / Atlas Obscura User
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The cockpit of the SR-71C.   kiirenza / Atlas Obscura User
The tail of the SR-71C.   kiirenza / Atlas Obscura User
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About

When it comes to the SR-71 and the stories surrounding the Lockheed's Skunk Works program that created it, the mystique is undeniable. 

Only 32 SR-71 aircraft were constructed, and 29 of those were SR-71A models. Two trainers, designated SR-71B, were also created. 

The last SR-71, the SR-71C, was nicknamed "The Bastard." The name was partly due to the Frankenstein-like creation of the aircraft. After one SR-71B trainer crashed in January 1968, it was determined that another trainer plane should be constructed. 

The project began with a wrecked YF-12A that was utilized for the rear part of the fuselage, and the front came from a static, but functional, SR-71A mockup. It was apparently a "bastard" to fly as well, considering it was said to have a "yaw at supersonic speeds" due to the joined fuselage not being quite straight. 

The Bastard's first flight was conducted on March 14, 1969. The aircraft was piloted by Blackbird Chief Project Pilot Robert Gilliland and Lockheed test pilot Steve Belgeau. It was assigned to Beale Air Force Base in September 1970, and took its last flight on April 11, 1976. 

After spending time in storage in Palmdale, California, the SR-71C found a permanent home on display at Hill Air Force Base's Aerospace Museum.  

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Airplanes Museums History & Culture Technology

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The SR-71C is part of the aircraft collection at Hill Aerospace Museum, located in the northwest corner of Hill Air Force Base outside of Ogden, Utah. Take exit 338 off I-15 and turn left to go to the museum just before getting to the base gates. 

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kiirenza

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michaelnhartman, julianfkeller99

  • michaelnhartman
  • julianfkeller99

Published

January 22, 2021

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  • https://theaviationgeekclub.com/half-yf-12-and-half-sr-71-the-story-of-the-bastard-the-only-sr-71c-ever-built/
  • Lockheed Blackbirds, by Tony Landis and Dennis Jenkins
SR-71C Blackbird
7961 Cottonwood St
Hill AFB, Utah, 84056
United States
41.162498, -112.018707
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Utah

Utah

United States

Places 155
Stories 29

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United States

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