It is difficult to put into words how incredible the story of the Lockheed Blackbird is, but Paul Crickmore has accomplished the difficult. Indeed, he has practically accomplished the impossible by collecting such a vast wealth of information on the top secret project to build a jet that could fly so fast and so high that attempting to intercept it would be futile. “Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions—The Missing Chapters” is the final edition of this labor of love and fascination.
The final remnants of information kept secret by the federal government is now available in one of the most exhilarating books on aviation.
Aviation has always been a gambler’s game. From the first balloonists and aeronauts to the Wright Brothers and zeppelin fliers, climbing hundreds or thousands of feet into the air came with the obvious risks. What was pursued by the Central Intelligence Agency with the Blackbird, famously known by its final version SR-71, placed risk at an unprecedented level—and it has been captured by Crickmore.
Skunk Works and Blackbird
The author begins by discussing the American reconnaissance and surveillance necessities during the Cold War. He presents the problems with the U-2 spy plane, and no problem more evident than when it was shot down by the Soviets, creating a massive international incident. As Crickmore notes, President Dwight D. Eisenhower had been misled about the U-2’s capabilities and vulnerabilities. He had also been told that no pilot could survive a crash or being shot down—this proved embarrassingly untrue.
The U-2 incident inflamed an already volatile situation between the Soviets and the Americans. But abandoning surveillance of what the West considered its biggest threat was not in the cards. What was needed was something better than the U-2.
Crickmore notes that Lockheed won the bidding war to build a new plane primarily because it had initially built and delivered the U-2 ahead of schedule and under budget. And so began the famous Skunk Works program, which was in charge of building the Blackbird at the top secret facility Area 51.
For curious readers, flying saucers are mentioned, but only in the context of what would be the most stealthy. The idea that “the ideal shape for a stealthy aircraft was a flying saucer” was suggested by Frank Rodgers, of MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory. Kelly Johnson, the aeronautical designer who was in charge of Skunk Works, shot the idea down.
Johnson is rightfully heralded throughout the book as the right and proper leader of the secret project. He proves to be an incredibly innovative and brilliant engineer. More importantly, he knew how to hire the right people: scientists, engineers, and pilots.
Mind-Blowing Technology
While reading the book, I was astonished at a number of facts about the Blackbird program during its earliest phases: The Archangel 12 (A-12) was four times faster than the U-2 and could fly three miles higher; it was capable of Mach 3.2; and it could cover a mile in two seconds. These mind-blowing capabilities were taking place 60 years ago in early 1960s.
The following paragraph provides a peek at the technology behind the Lockheed Blackbird, and this is just in regard to the jet’s air inlet control system:
“The Blackbird family boasted a unique, highly efficient air inlet/powerplant system that generated thrust via three components: an asymmetric mixed-compression, variable-geometry inlet; the J58 engine; and a convergent/divergent blow-in door ejector nozzle. The air inlet control system regulated the massively varying internal airflow throughout the aircraft’s entire flight envelope, ensuring that the engines received air at the correct velocity and pressure.”
Certainly, each person involved in this ongoing program understood the reality of the Cold War. Skunk Works and the creation of the Lockheed Blackbird was an answer to the 20th century’s existential threat.
But it was also an answer to what man was capable of by way of science, engineering, and sheer determination. It was dangerous—the numerous crashes, midair explosions, and pilot deaths make that very clear. But, as is evident in the plethora of pilot and engineer interviews, the danger was part of the allure. It was an opportunity to do what no one else on the planet was doing.
Will Leave Your Head Swirling
Crickmore takes us through the trial runs, some of them ending in deadly crashes, some in successes, and some in close calls with humorous anecdotes. One story took place during a practice maneuver with pilots Bill Park and Keith Beswick. From 80,000 feet, Park lowered the jet to 50,000 feet, and then the engines went out. The plane was stable but lowered to 40,000 feet and then 35,000, leading Park to ask Beswick, “Well, what do you think we should do?” Beswick responded, “Well, I don’t know, it’s your airplane that’s in trouble.” “Yeah, but you’re in my airplane too and if we don’t get this thing relit by 18,000 feet I’ll be leaving, so it will be your airplane.” After going through the manual checklist, the pilots had the engines back on at 25,000 feet. The story is a testament to the calm resolve of those working in a very dangerous field.The author has placed so many intriguing stories about arguably America’s greatest jet at our fingertips. Along with these stories are countless images of the Blackbird’s initial concept designs, its pilots, its technology, its speed, its altitude, and its missions. As Crickmore notes, “It’s almost impossible to exaggerate how this aircraft programme was responsible for driving technology forward in so many different fields.” After having read the book, I completely agree. In a sense, my head is still swirling from learning about the Lockheed Blackbird program and the resulting SR-71.
For those interested in aviation, secret intelligence, or things created by man that seem out of this world, “Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions—The Missing Chapters” is a goldmine. This book is more than a collector’s item. It is an illustration of American ingenuity and bravery.
