Nicknamed the sled by those who flew her, the top secret sr71 blackbird was the most remarkable aircraft of the 20th century and was a key component in winning the cold war. My duty was to flyover libya and take photos recording the damage our f111s had inflicted. However, a bomber variant of the blackbird was briefly given the b 71 designator, which was retained when the type was changed to sr 71. Sled driver brian shul sr71 pilot, author and the limited edition sled driver. Sled driver flying the worlds fastest jet sr 71 blackbird signed by the author. But the sr 71, also known as the blackbird, stands alone as a significant contributor to cold war victory and as the fastest plane everand only 93 air force pilots ever steered the sled, as we called our aircraft. The sled driver book had captured the imagination of a majority of all the sr71 fans out there, which i began, lovingly, to refer to as sled heads.
In his book, sled driver, sr71 blackbird pilot brian shul writes. If youve never read the text below, i suggest you take the time to do it because it will not disappoint you. Brian shul born 1948 is a vietnam warera attack pilot and a retired major in the united states air force usaf. Boeings sr71 blackbird replacement travels faster than mach 5. Flying the worlds fastest jet by brian shul goodreads. The air cadet commander there was a former blackbird pilot, and thought it would be a motivating moment for the young lads to see the mighty sr 71 perform a low approach. Nicknamed the sled by those who flew her, the sr 71 was the worlds fastest, highest flying jet in the world. Arguably the coolest aircraft ever made was the lockheed sr71 blackbird, an. The ultimate ground speed check tales from the blackbird.
Sr71 blackbird pilot trolls arrogant fighter pilot with. One of only 93 pilots who qualified to fly the sled, brian flew the sr71 blackbird for four years. Past archive records of the demise of the blackbirds in the halls of the congress and the pentagon. First written about in pilot brian shuls book sled.
This is a video of him retelling the famous speed check story. You will be proud to own one as it is sure to become a treasured collectors item, to be passed down to future generations of aviation enthusiasts for a long time. The story of the sr71 blackbird that outran gaddafis sams. Flying the worlds fastest jet and the untouchables are about flying the sr 71 blackbird and give the reader a firsthand account of being in the cockpit of the worlds fastest jet. There were a lot of things we couldnt do in an sr71, but we were the fastest guys on the block and loved reminding our fellow. Author and former sr71 blackbird pilot brian shul is an inspirationalkeynote speaker, tailoring his acclaimed presentation to your. Now for the first time, a blackbird pilot shares his. Now for the first time, a blackbird pilot shares his unique experience of what it was like to fly this legend of aviation history.
A place to discuss the history of the lockheed sr71 blackbird aircraft press j to jump to the feed. For 25 years this magnificent aircraft performed vital reconnaissance missions of the highest national importance. Happy birthday, sr71 blackbird, you spectacular speedy. Major shul completed a 20year career in the air force. In april 1986president reagan ordered the bombing of muammar qaddafis terrorist camps in libyaqaddaffi labeled a no flyzone for american pilots which he called the, line of death on the morning of april 15, i rocketed past the line at 2,125 mph. Nevertheless, the blackbird wasnt an easy plane to fly as sr71 pilot brian shul recalls in his book sled driver. Sled driver brian shul sr71 pilot, author and the limited edition sled driver book. The sr 71 has serviced the united states for more than 35 years. There were a lot of things we couldnt do in an sr71, but we were the. The story behind this event is quite interesting and is explained by brian shul in his book sled driver. But the sr71, also known as the blackbird, stands alone as a significant contributor to cold war victory and as the fastest plane everand only 93 air force pilots ever steered the sled, as we. The story behind this famed sr71 blackbird super low knifeedge pass. A place to discuss the history of the lockheed sr71 blackbird aircraft. Limited edition is destined to be the classic sr 71 blackbird book of all time.
Limited edition is destined to be the classic sr71 blackbird book of all time. Sr71 blackbird pilot tells the story of his famed ground. And of course there was the 14 yearold model builder who very accurately called to let me know that the photo used for the cover shot on the book, had been reversed. Aug 08, 2019 nevertheless, the blackbird wasnt an easy plane to fly as sr71 pilot brian shul recalls in his book sled driver. Written and beautifully photographed by sr71 pilot brian shul, this. First edition second printing sled driver flying the worlds fastest jet by brian shul. This is an expanded excerpt from brian schul s book sled driver. Sr71 blackbird wallpapers book sled driver story photos.
The sr71 blackbirds most spectacular flyover was also. Ill always remember a certain radio exchange that occurred one day as walt my backseater and i were screaming across southern california miles high. Sr71 blackbird pilot brian shul with his book, sled driver. A place to discuss the history of the lockheed sr 71 blackbird aircraft. Brian also has a love of photography and owns one of the best collections of photos of the sr 71 ever. He has also released special, revised editions of both sled driver and the. It is a longrange, supersonic reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying at mach 3. My first encounter with the sr 71 came when i was 10 years.
The sr71 blackbirds most spectacular flyover was also its. The sr71 served six different presidents as the premier reconnaissance platform for the united states for over a quarter of a century. Apr 17, 2019 major brian shul is the author of a famous book about the sr71 blackbird entitled sled driver. Recap of the sr 71 flyover and static display at beale afb air fest 97. The sr71 blackbirds most spectacular flyover was also its slowest one of the most legendary stories related to the sr71 blackbird has nothing to do with how fast or how high it could fly. He was so badly burned that he was given next to no chance to live. Apr 17, 2018 it is a race the sr71 will not let us lose. Ill always remember a certain radio exchange that occurred one day as walt my backseater and i were screaming across southern california, miles high. But the sr 71, also known as the blackbird, stands alone as a significant contributor to cold war victory and as the fastest plane everand only 93 air force pilots ever steered the sled, as we.
Welcome to gallery one, home of the most sought after book on the legendary sr 71 blackbird, sled driver. His story is both entertaining and inspirational as he shares some amazing facts about the sr 71 blackbird that any aviation fan or. He flew 212 combat missions and was shot down near the end of the war. The story behind this famed sr71 blackbird super low knife. Jun 08, 2018 why sr71 blackbird made this super low knifeedge pass the beautiful main image of this article feature the famous photo of an sr71 blackbirds performing a super low flyby. Aircraft such as the boeing 707, the f86 sabre jet, and the p51 mustang are among the important machines that have flown our skies. I dont know of any ludicrous speeding tickets so i cant participate in todays qotd, but it did remind me of my favorite sr 71 story.
Nicknamed the sled by those few who flew it, the aircraft was. The sr 71 blackbird is one of the most spectacular aircraft ever built. Nicknamed the sled by those few who flew it, the aircraft was shrouded in secrecy from its inception. Sr 71 blackbird pilot brian shul with his book, sled driver. Boeings sr71 blackbird replacement travels faster than. Surviving, he returned to full flight status, flying the sr71 blackbird. Written and beautifully photographed by sr 71 pilot brian shul, this remarkable book intimately reveals what it was like to fly the worlds fastest and highest flying jet. Major brian shul retells the famous sr71 speed check story. Sled driver brian shul shares with us his story of being one of only 93 pilots to ever fly the sr 71 blackbird. Why sr71 blackbird made this super low knifeedge pass. Jun 25, 2019 the story behind this famed sr71 blackbird super low knifeedge pass.
The sr 71 designation is a continuation of the pre1962 bomber series. Jan 17, 2018 boeings sr71 blackbird replacement travels faster than mach 5. Also, this is a good read on the more experimental side of things the smell of kerosene donald mallick. In his book, sled driver, sr 71blackbird pilot brian shul writes. Special sr71 blackbird first flight 50th golden anniversary edition sled driver flying the worlds fastest jet hardbound 11 x 14 horizontal book. Boeings sr71 blackbird replacement travels faster than mach. This may be the single greatest aviation story ever told, its about the iconic sr 71 blackbird whose full operating specs are still classified to this day. As inconceivable as it may sound, i once discarded the plane.
Air force inventory in 1966, the sr 71 was the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft in the world. The air cadet commander there was a former blackbird pilot, and thought it would be a motivating moment for the young lads to see the mighty sr71 perform a low approach. Air force inventory in 1966, the sr71 was the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft in the world. Limited edition is destined to be the classic sr71 blackbird. Screaming past tripoli, our phenomenal speed continues to rise, and the screaming sled pummels the enemy one more time, laying down a parting sonic boom. When it first flew, it was an amazing performer and still is after three decades of unmatched capabilities. Sled driver brian shul, left, with new atlass loz blain, reno air race 2016. Written by brian schulformer sled sr71 blackbird driver. Sr71 related products for sale lockheed sr71 blackbird. One of the biggest limiting factors for top speed on the sr71 was the compressor inlet temperature had to. During the later stages of its testing, the b70 was proposed for a. The story behind this famed sr71 blackbird super low.
In addition to running his own photo studio in northern california, he has authored seven books on flying and flight photography. Sr17 blackbird merchandise want to own a cool piece of sr71 nostalgia. There were a lot of things we couldnt do in an sr71, but we were the fastest guys on the block and loved reminding our fellow aviators of this fact. Oct 18, 2017 this may be the single greatest aviation story ever told, its about the iconic sr 71 blackbird whose full operating specs are still classified to this day.