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The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird: The Illustrated Profile of Every Aircraft, Crew, and Breakthrough of the World's Fastest Stealth Jet
The ultimate SR-71 book which profiles the history, development, manufacture, modification, and active service of all 50 models in the SR-71 program. At the height of the Cold War in 1964, President 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. Above 80,000 feet, its pilots had to wear full-pressure flight suits similar to what was used aboard the space shuttle. Developed by the renowned Lockheed Skunk Works, the SR-71 was an awesome aircraft in every respect. It was withdrawn from use in 1998, when it was superseded by satellite technology.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 an absolute altitude record of 85,069 feet and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour. The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird covers every aspect of the SR-71's development, manufacture, modification, and active service from the insider's perspective of one of its pilots and is lavishly illustrated with more than 400 photos. Former pilot and author Richard Graham also examines each of the fifty planes that came out the SR-71 program (fifteen A-12s; three YF-12s; and thirty-two SR-71s) and tells each plane's history, its unique specifications, and where each currently resides.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
204 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Richard H. Graham
8 books21 followersColonel (ret) Richard Graham is the author of three books on the SR-71 Blackbird. He flew this aircraft for seven years and ended up with 756 hours in its cockpit, which makes him the perfect author to write about this Mach 3+ jet. Below is his biography.
Col. Richard Graham graduated from the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio in 1964. He received a master's degree in Sociology in 1977 and in Public Administration in 1979 from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, California.
Col. Graham entered Air Force pilot training, receiving his wings in 1965 at Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Alabama. From 1971-1973 he flew 210 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos in the F-4 Phantom.
He was selected to enter the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance program in 1974 at Beale Air Force Base, California. He flew the SR-71 for the next seven years, amassing 756 hours in the worlds fastest and highest flying aircraft. Col. Graham also flew the SR-71 as an Instructor Pilot and Stan/Eval Pilot. In 1980, he was selected to be the squadron commander of the SR-71 unit at Beale.
After serving four years in the Pentagon, Col. Graham was selected to be the 9th Wing Commander at Beale in 1987. During his 25 years of service, he amassed 4,600 hours, retiring from the Air Force in 1989. His military decorations include three Legion of Merit awards, four Distinguished Flying Cross medals and 19 Air Medals.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, he joined American Airlines in Dallas, Texas. After flying 13 years at American, he retired in August 2002 as a Captain on the MD-80 aircraft, with over 7,500 hours. He now spends his time as an author, speaker, aviation consultant, and flight instructor. Col. Graham is a pilot with the Frisco Civil Air Patrol Squadron and volunteers as a FAA representative (FAAST) on their safety team in Dallas. He and his wife Pat live in Plano.
He has written three books, "SR-71 Revealed," "SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales, and Legends," and "Flying the SR-71 Blackbird." A veteran of 15 years of assignments within the SR-71 community, he is uniquely qualified to tell the SR-71 story. Colonel Graham was the 1999 recipient of the University of Nebraska's William F. Shea Award for his distinguished contribution to aviation. He is currently a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). In 2005, the Blackbird Association awarded him the Kelly Johnson trophy, a lifetime achievement award for his work to perpetuate, foster and improve the SR-71.
Col. Richard Graham graduated from the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio in 1964. He received a master's degree in Sociology in 1977 and in Public Administration in 1979 from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, California.
Col. Graham entered Air Force pilot training, receiving his wings in 1965 at Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Alabama. From 1971-1973 he flew 210 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos in the F-4 Phantom.
He was selected to enter the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance program in 1974 at Beale Air Force Base, California. He flew the SR-71 for the next seven years, amassing 756 hours in the worlds fastest and highest flying aircraft. Col. Graham also flew the SR-71 as an Instructor Pilot and Stan/Eval Pilot. In 1980, he was selected to be the squadron commander of the SR-71 unit at Beale.
After serving four years in the Pentagon, Col. Graham was selected to be the 9th Wing Commander at Beale in 1987. During his 25 years of service, he amassed 4,600 hours, retiring from the Air Force in 1989. His military decorations include three Legion of Merit awards, four Distinguished Flying Cross medals and 19 Air Medals.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, he joined American Airlines in Dallas, Texas. After flying 13 years at American, he retired in August 2002 as a Captain on the MD-80 aircraft, with over 7,500 hours. He now spends his time as an author, speaker, aviation consultant, and flight instructor. Col. Graham is a pilot with the Frisco Civil Air Patrol Squadron and volunteers as a FAA representative (FAAST) on their safety team in Dallas. He and his wife Pat live in Plano.
He has written three books, "SR-71 Revealed," "SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales, and Legends," and "Flying the SR-71 Blackbird." A veteran of 15 years of assignments within the SR-71 community, he is uniquely qualified to tell the SR-71 story. Colonel Graham was the 1999 recipient of the University of Nebraska's William F. Shea Award for his distinguished contribution to aviation. He is currently a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). In 2005, the Blackbird Association awarded him the Kelly Johnson trophy, a lifetime achievement award for his work to perpetuate, foster and improve the SR-71.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 3, 2016
Complete, just like the title says. Every plane, every pilot, tons of details and pictures.
March 31, 2019
Growing up in a family with various members serving long tenures in different branches of the military I’ve heard many fond memories retold around the dinner table or bonfire. The way the narrative flows through this book took me back to those days filled with child like wide eyed excitement and awe. Not only does the narrative flow like a story but there is a lot of well presented technical data and information shared as well. Definitely worth a read.
November 24, 2024
SR-71 fan's dream
SO much information. Some great pictures too.
I love the book, but it also made me sad. So shortsighted to discontinue that program when they did. Should still be flying today, giving us uninterrupted coverage until the upcoming SR-72 (or whatever they decide to name it) comes online, that's been in testing since around 2016.
SO much information. Some great pictures too.
I love the book, but it also made me sad. So shortsighted to discontinue that program when they did. Should still be flying today, giving us uninterrupted coverage until the upcoming SR-72 (or whatever they decide to name it) comes online, that's been in testing since around 2016.
May 29, 2019
Amazing and detailed book
The detailed view on SR-71 program from the insider, former SR-71 pilot and 9th RW commander. A lot of insights from other pilots/RSOs and many good and rare pictures.
The detailed view on SR-71 program from the insider, former SR-71 pilot and 9th RW commander. A lot of insights from other pilots/RSOs and many good and rare pictures.
July 10, 2019
I love this book
I have loved the SR-71 since I was a little kid, I have only seen one in real life and learned so much about the plane in this book. I am still in awe that we did away with the greatest plane the U.S.A. ever made and flew. Thank you for the great book.
I have loved the SR-71 since I was a little kid, I have only seen one in real life and learned so much about the plane in this book. I am still in awe that we did away with the greatest plane the U.S.A. ever made and flew. Thank you for the great book.
December 24, 2017
Excellent book. Explains how the blackbird works.
August 25, 2025
Essential reading for any fan of the SR-71 Blackbird. Phenomenal!
January 17, 2026
SR-71 A tail of a legend.
An excellent story of a unique aircraft and of those who fly and maintained it with dedication and passion. Well worth reading.
An excellent story of a unique aircraft and of those who fly and maintained it with dedication and passion. Well worth reading.
July 2, 2018
My reading list has been described by many, including my wife, as positively boring. I read about so many topics that most people would use to put themselves to sleep. However, this book is different. This book is about my positively all-time favorite aircraft. It flies (or flew) faster and higher than missiles. Growing up, I’d hear stories of the “Blackbird” and I was in awe. That’s why I read The Complete Book of the SR71 Blackbird – but there was a twist.
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June 5, 2019
In fairness, I didn’t finish this. I got about halfway through it before it was due back at the library. It’s a large book, with lots of photos and captions. It’s written by a military insider with decades of experience with this mighty metal spy bird. Every time I think a topic might be too detailed to read I’m blown away by the amazing specs and stories behind the ultimate supersonic reconnaissance cruiser. Well worth the read!
February 4, 2017
A lot of informations and a lot of great photos - terrific
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews