Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Manual 1964 onwards (all marks)

Throughout its 34-year Cold War career with the USAF and CIA, the top secret Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane was the world's fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft. Dedicated to strategic reconnaissance, the Blackbird was so fast that no other aircraft could catch it. The co-authors are world authorities on the Blackbird and give rare insights into the secret world of the SR-71, its genesis, construction and anatomy (including its use of stealth technology), and its operation and maintenance in peace and war.

The Lockheed SR-71 Owners' Workshop Manual provides a unique insight into the design, evolution, operation and maintenance of this remarkable aircraft, with input from senior aircrew who amassed hundreds of hours flying it, and experienced technicians who toiled ceaselessly to maintain it.

The Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird' - along with its A-12, F-12 and M-21 predecessors - was conceived at the height of the Cold War. Its black 'colour' scheme, together with its highly classified, strategic reconnaissance-gathering role, added a sense of mystery and intrigue to this astonishing triple-sonic, high-altitude aircraft.

Today, it is hard to believe that Clarence L. 'Kelly' Johnson and his small team of Lockheed 'Skunk Works' engineers used only paper, pens and slide rules to create the SR-71's sleek and stealthy lines more than half a century ago.

It also says much for the Blackbird's advanced design that it still holds the World Trans-Atlantic speed record, from New York to London - less than two hours - despite setting it some 40 years ago!

With the aid of detailed photographs and technical illustrations, many previously unpublished, the Lockheed SR-71 Owners' Workshop Manual covers the SR-71's structure, on-board systems and unique Pratt & Whitney J58 engines in unparalleled detail.

SR-71 development and variants - design, evolution (A12, YF-12A and SR-71) and aircrew selection.
SR-71 at war - Vietnam, North Korea, Iran-Iraq war, Cold War and Yemen.
Anatomy of the SR-71 - airframe, flight controls, stealth features, avionics, sensors, navigation systems, pressurisation system.
Engines - Pratt & Whitney J58-P4 engine and inlet propulsion system.
The pilot's perspective - flying the SR-71, including a mission from Mildenhall, Suffolk, to Murmansk.
The crew chief's perspective - maintaining and servicing an SR-71 and preparing it for a mission.
Appendices - including Blackbird records, NASA operations, and 'Black Shield' operations during the Vietnam war.

Author: Paul Crickmore is an acknowledged authority on the SR-71, and has written two previous highly acclaimed books on the subject He gained a unique insight into the classified world of 'Blackbird' operations during his time as an Air Traffic Controller. He has written many articles for a range of aviation journals, and is also an avid air-to-air photographer.

Steve Davies is a freelance military and commercial aviation photojournalist and author. He has written a number of critically acclaimed books, and has worked as an advisor for a range of military aviation TV documentaries in the UK and US. His photography has been used by the aviation press, and leading defence contractors and aviation corporations.